18 Months

This has definitely been an exciting month!

 Elsa's vocabulary keeps on growing... 

although most of her words only mommy can understand.

This is Elsa eating a "doop-doop". Also known as a popsicle or frozen gogurt.

It is so fun to see her catch on to things more quickly, well for at least the things so wants. I gave her some fruit snacks one day and called it candy as I showed her the sign language for it... from that moment on its been one of her 5 most frequently used words/signs. Elsa has started using two word phrases like "bye-bye daddy" "night-night baby" "Thank you mommy". Sometimes it's just "daddy daddy" "baby baby" or "mommy mommy" but in context you know what she means. It's cute! She's also starting to try to say a lot of relatives names. I want to make her a family picture book so maybe by christmas she'll have them all down.

Elsa loves to do what daddy is doing and is such a good helper!

Elsa helping daddy cut circles around the trees and putting the grass in the bucket and spreading the mulch.

Elsa and daddy fixing up a scooter to resale.

She gets a little dirty playing with daddy but has fun and hopefully she'll be just as hard of a worker as her daddy!

Neighbor friends!


Elsa has started to say cheese for the camera!! But you have to be ready for the shot because it's gone as fast as it comes.

Bagels and cream cheese for breakfast just like daddy! Except Elsa eats the cream cheese first and then sometimes the bagel.

Elsa also eats cereal like her daddy!

Elsa loves her DADDY!

Elsa and Uncle Dalin!

Snagging some puppy chow

No matter where you are or what your doing Elsa will just come up and sit on you.

Dalin found this out when trying to play games.

Daddy has learned he has to protect himself from the unexpected "sit".

 Nursing is a little more difficult when you have Elsa trying to sit all over you and the baby.

She wanted to try on her winter cover up and wouldn't take it off.

Elsa and Uncle Evan!

It's been so nice having more family around and Elsa has warmed up to them very fast!

Elsa, I think has made the transition to being a big sister pretty well.

She loves to give baby Blake kisses!!

And loves to poke him in the face when he is sleeping.

And give him his binkie!

And push him around in her stroller.This was just a one time thing for the picture... who knows where little Blake would end up..

She loves to hold him and push him away as soon as he gets in her lap.

Grandma Dee came to take care of us! It was really nice having her here! Not just because I didn't do dishes, laundry, or cook for a whole two weeks... It was so nice just to be with her! We got to go antiquing, something I haven't done since Missouri and miss doing with her and my sisters. She helped my poor little house look beautiful, something she is extremely good at. It was so nice to see Elsa play with her. Grandma taught her how to sing "Row Row Row Your Boat" and is now one of her favorites. Thanks Grandma Dee for taking care of us!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Thackeray also came to visit for baby Blake's blessing. It was as if they never left, Elsa took to them right away. Elsa has gotten really good at saying Grandma/Grandpa! We really miss all our family from out of state.

KISS

HUG

KISS

HUG

PUSH

We have learned a lot this month... mostly patience on my part and trying to give enough loving to all my babies.

Elsa is pretty aware of things that go on and gets very interested. She's been very aware and interested how the baby eats. At first she would just walk up to me and squeeze a boob. So I told her they are for the baby. Still she would catch me off guard and give 'em squeeze and say baby. Still very interested during feeding time... one day I was having a frustrating time with all the hands on and told her it was a boob... probably should have taught her a more appropriate word. Now she points and says boob. Anytime of day, feeding the baby or not, just out of the blue you'll hear "boob". I guess that's better than all the squeezing... Although Blake was a little sad when she pointed at his chest and said "boob".

Elsa always keeps us smiling!