I figure since I'm writing in January, I can still wish everyone a wonderful start to 2015! As with everyone else, things have been flying by this month. November came and went, then it was December and Christmas preparations, my birthday, Christmas celebrations, travel and them boom! Here is 2015!
 |
| 21 month chair picture |
December was wonderful! We had a few days of cruddy weather, but overall, nothing too major. Phil continued being busy at the airport, I was busy with swimming and teaching, and Olivia was busy growing and growing! Phil and I started documenting how many words she was saying (that were truly recognizable; we didn't include the ones that we understood, but no one else did). It was amazing, because I thought she only knew a few words, but when we tallied the list before Christmas, she had clearly stated between 30 and 40 words and a handful of phrases. Her favorite things to say are 'where'd it go,' 'it's hot' (while trying to blow on whatever food is in front of her.. even if it is cereal), and the ever wonderful 'let it go.' Seriously, I think there's something in that movie that makes kids addicted to it! My dad bought her the Frozen soundtrack for Christmas and you'd better believe we listened to it at least four or five times every single day. Olivia would point to the CD player and continuously say 'let it go' until we started the songs. Thankfully, that trend has slowed down and we are able to listen to her other CD's.
 |
| These pictures are not getting any easier, so I'll take what I can get! |
We spent a few days in CO with my family and it was a busy, but wonderful trip. Highlights include watching Tom referee the Avs game, going out after the game with Tom and Brooke and some of their friends, going on the Santa Train, catching up with friends, celebrating Christmas with family, and watching Olivia get really excited to open up presents and then decide she is done after two presents.
January was off to a bit of a rocky start, as the weather wasn't very nice to us. The week that the kids went back to school was supposed to be a typical Monday-Friday 8a-3p school week. What it ended up being was an early release on Monday, full day Tuesday, cancelled Wednesday, early release on Thursday and full day on Friday. So, that was a weird week for me, since I don't have practice if school is cancelled or if there is an early release. But that meant that Olivia and I got to spend more time at home!
 |
| After the children's service |
Just in the past few weeks, something just clicked and all of a sudden, she isn't a little girl anymore. It seems like she went from knowing about 35 words last month and now she's doubled that. She is also understanding requests to bring her plate to the sink, put her clothes in her hamper, help pick up toys, pick out her shoes to wear and a lot of other items. She loves helping with things around the house (if I'm dusting, she has to dust as well. If one of us is vacuuming, she has to get her toy vacuum and help as well) and enjoys getting to stir the spoon in the bowl if we are making something. Most days, chores take a little longer and when we cook, some of it ends up out of the bowl. But, I keep telling myself that I will long for these days in a few years. She's also starting to understand emotions and if I start to fake cry or say that I'm sad, she will bring me her blanket or give me a hug. Her favorite activity is still running around the kitchen, but she still stays busy with play dough, stickers, coloring, puzzles, blocks, having a picnic/tea party and playing with her Little People princess castle. It blows my mind that she will be two in less than a month.
 |
| Seeing the live nativity at church |
Some random notes (more for me to remember in a few years :)): At her doctor's appointment earlier this week, she weighed in at 24.6 pounds. She is still comfortable in 18 month clothes, but we have started wearing some 24 month clothes. She typically sleeps from 8/8:30-7:30/8ish. And the biggest item on our agenda is that she is finally stopping her bottle this weekend. I know, we are behind on this item. But it was something we never really thought about. She takes about 3oz of milk at night and then we brush her teeth and she goes to bed. But, it's been in our routine for so long and while we would talk about it, we just never took a step forward in getting rid of the bottles. So, here's hoping to a happy weekend and peaceful night time routines!
