22 Months

Reading books to Wags the dog. She carried him out to the family room just so that she could read.

So this is a bit late: Playing in the first snow of the season (you know, from back in December). She LOVED it!

This is probably one of the first times I realized that she's a little girl and not a baby anymore. *sniff, sniff* Something about seeing her in her hat and coat made her look so grown up.

Drinking "coffee".

Leah's closer than ever to turning two, which both saddens and amazes me. Our baby girl is no longer a baby (though if you ask her, she'll say that she is), making me wonder exactly WHEN that happened. After all, I'm always with her, so wouldn't I have noticed the moment she grew up? *sigh*

Below you'll find some new tidbits about our princess and the daily joy she brings.

*Potty training: Yes, I think she might be ready for it. Christmas Eve Day (in NY), she took care of business three times on the potty. We haven't had such success since then, but she's been regularly telling us that she wants to go. And yes, she's had success taking care of the dirty business (if you know what I mean), which is promising. I hope to do a little research this week so that we can officially start training next week. Who knows? Maybe she'll be potty-trained by the time she's two. At least then we'll only have to worry about one little one in diapers.

*Elmo: Leah has few loves in life (books, coloring) and Elmo is one of them. She LOVES Elmo. Seriously. It's no surprise then, that some of her favorite Christmas gifts were Elmo related (pj's, coloring books, toy). There's an Elmo doll Scott bought her that goes in the bath. Occasionally, it will find itself in Leah's crib, or downstairs. However, I think she might love her Elmo pajamas (handmade by Nama) even more. Case in point: Last week, after wearing the pj's a couple nights in a row, I had retired them to the hamper. After her nap, Leah first asked for Elmo and then her pajamas, going so far as to open her dresser drawer to pull them out. She searched and searched the drawer to no avail, (I had already told her they were in the laundry) before plaintively saying, "Pajama, pajama." I don't know the last time she looked so sad or disappointed. She was on the verge of tears all because she couldn't find them! Of course, I couldn't bear such a site, so I pulled them out of the hamper, reassuring her that she could wear them one more time that night. Oh no. Bedtime was too far away. After changing her diaper, she picked up her pj's and handed them to me, ready to put them on. So... what else could I do but comply?

*Mommy's Little Helper: I feel as if Leah's been interested in helping for a while, but lately it's becoming more and more pronounced, especially when I'm cooking dinner. The other night she helped me make granola, and last night she wanted to help with the enchiladas. Usually, her helping consists of me bringing a chair over to the counter so that she can stand and watch. If possible, she can then help stir or add ingredients (though she must take after me, since she inevitably makes a mess). I love those moments with her, so I try to encourage them, even if it means dinner might take a little longer to prepare or I might have a bigger mess to clean up. After all, if I've learned anything these past 22 months, it's that time is fleeting.

*Rides: If she can fit in it, she'll ask for a ride. This includes the laundry basket, decorative baskets, her toy motorcycle or car, even the Rubbermaid tub that stores her play food. Thankfully, I've limited the number of rides I give her (since I knew I'd have to do it every day, then); her dad, however, hasn't been so fortunate. Leah just has to look at him and smile, and he caves. (I love witnessing those exchanges. Who says he's not one smitten daddy?)

*Adjusting: I'm so thankful that Leah is such an agreeable, loving little girl. I certainly hope she maintains that demeanor in the next few months, especially with all the changes coming soon: potty training, moving out of the crib and into a bed, becoming a big sister. Hopefully all of these will go smoother than anticipated.