Babbling Beauty

Stephanie is talking up a storm these days. Trouble is, only SHE can understand what she's saying! The other day my husband said our nearly 2-year-old daughter was holding a conversation with herself in a local McDonalds. He said luckily no one else was around!! (ha) It's funny to watch and listen to her. She has all of the expressions and inflection of an adult talking to another adult. Then, she looks you right in the eyes as though you MUST understand exactly what she's talking about. I just say, "yeah, that's right". Better watch what I say. Maybe my behavior will come back to haunt me one day when she claims I told her she could do or have all of these things! She seems especially intrigued with cars. Naturally, she's also always eyeing over the most expensive ones.

Stephanie did complete some short sentences this past week. One day, after she woke up, she said to me "Daddy go car". I said that's right...he went off to work! She later headed for the sofa, sat down, and said, "I sit". It was so cute. She has her own chair too. She's getting a bit wild with it. She keeps putting it on the sofa or the coffee table and tries to sit in it. She thinks it's hysterical while I'm a nervous wreck waiting for the fall to come!! Hope you all have a very nice day...stay warm!

Steph takes a road trip

Our family of three recently braved the cold and snow and took a quick trip to Chicagoland. One highlight was the children's museum. Little Stephanie, now almost 20 months old!, couldn't get enough. She was especially cute in the water room. Yes, there was water, water everywhere...coming out of faucets, pipes, splashing into pools and big sinks. Raincoats were required. Stephanie's raincoat was too big, but it was apparently the smallest they had. The little peanut kept falling over and we would just roll her back onto her feet. She didn't seem to mind. The water and the way it splashed all over when she stuck her hand in it was just too interesting. Stephanie also got her first ride on the El Train. She held on for dear life and so did I! Actually, she enjoyed watching the scenery and then she took a snooze. I kept wondering if the train would topple over...it took some of those curves up in the sky pretty fast! I'm just too used to the smooth Washington METRO I guess....at least it stays put! Anyway, onto other things!

Stephanie got to play with a big bunch of balloons, following the 50th anniversary party we attended. At one point, the wad of ribbon was tucked into her pants and she just ran around whacking at the balloons. It was pretty funny. She didn't put them down for hours.

Stephanie had her first taste of snow this past week. It wasn't much, but she got to try out her brand new boots. She was having fun tromping around and then got a turn on the sled. She wasn't too excited, though. She just laid there while I took her for a spin. So much for the future skiiing trip!!

Take care,
Steph's Mom

Oh that Dirt!

Before my baby days, taking a shower was just as easy as brushing my teeth. Post baby, it's a real treat to have one in peace! Since Stephanie climbs on everything and can't be trusted to be alone for long, I have to take her with me. Let me tell you. It's easier said than done! The first few times she was pretty good. Just wandering around the room with shoes, socks, bath toys and anything else she could grab. One day, I was enjoying my nice, hot shower when it just got too quiet. You probably know the feeling if you're a mom. When I wrapped up paradise, I got out and called for my daughter. After a few calls, she finally wandered over toward me. I have bad eyes without my glasses and she had something dark in her hand. When I asked her to show me what it was, she refused. Then, she cackled, threw it up in the air and went to get some more. Before I could react, there was dirt ALL OVER the room and she looked like she had gotten into the mud. She had found the giant plant. Standing there in my birthday suit, I feared I too would soon look like a mud wrestler. I nearly panicked, but I held it together! I managed to wash off her hands with my wet wash cloth and then dump her in her crib for a time out!!! A few minutes later after I cleaned up the carpet and myself, I went to retrieve my smiling baby who had had a ball playing in the dirt.

Doggy Baby

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't posted for a awhile. I was busy with Christmas and then the blog web site decided it didn't like me. I believe we've made up now!

My husband and I were watching CSI one evening...one of the many reruns that are on! Anyway, we had just settled in and all was pretty quiet on the TV. Everyone on the program was still alive and there was no gunfire or blood curtling screams yet. Just a pretty Golden Retriever running around in a field minding its own business. Then, the barking started. It kept getting louder and louder. We were bewildered. Suddenly, we both realized our toddler was barking away at the screen. A robust "Ruoof, Ruoof, Ruoof" coming out of this tiny person. I guess she just wanted to jump into the television set and chase the dog. So cute! She sure fooled mom and dad.....

Dancing Baby

"Shake my booty" is the motto this week for my 18-month old Stephanie. Her performance stage of choice: the fireplace. On top of her perch, she moves those little legs up and down as fast as she can, shakes her behind, flails her arms and tries to sing. More of a screech to be exact! She even gets her toys into the act, twirling her plastic chain and the six-legged bug. I call it a spider but my husband takes issue with that saying spiders have eight legs. Who really cares? Anyway, during her first show a few nights back, using her bottle as a microphone, she entertained us for a full five minutes. The only glitch was her "costume". She chose her pajamas for her debut performance. They were cute, though. She looked like a candycane. Appropriate for the holidays!

A little about myself. I'm an older mom (we'll just say over 40!) and had my first child in 2005. After many years of being independent, I broke down and had a little one. Actually, it's the best decision I've made in a long time! It's fun being a first time mom, but there is so much to learn! My daughter and I just cruise through life together and learn along the way!

My daughter got lots of toys for Christmas. My mom got her a lawnmower with popping balls. It's especially noisy and of course it's turning out to be Stephanie's favorite gift. My husband asked if perhaps my mother had something against us. Of course not! Except maybe payback for when we were all little and drove her crazy. She had four kids. AARRG!!

Hope you all have a lovely New Year and a healthy 2007.

Love,
Steph's Mom