Ilah, 23 Months Old

With all the Christmas festivities that happened in the month of December, I let Ilah's 23 month post get away from me. This year, in general, has gone by so quickly.

I feel so blessed to have a precious, fun-loving daughter who fills my days with so much joy and laughter {and also leaves me exhausted most days! Ha!}.

So, Ilah...you are 23 months old. What have you been up to?....

• You wear a size 5 diaper, you wear size 3T clothes {some 2T jammies} and you wear a size 8 shoe.

• You take your clothes off now all on your own {mostly pants}.

• When you go outside, you recognize things that you see in books - like the moon...when we are out at night you point up and say "moon!".

• As these pictures show, you love being a good mommy to your first Cabbage Patch Doll {Morgan Coco!}.

• You walk up the stairs now without holding on to anything!

• My sweet Ilah, you can throw quite a temper tantrum. It's always a struggle now to get you to sit in a shopping cart or in your stroller. You love to "be free!". But thank goodness you don't give me a problem with going in your car seat!

• You get so excited when you are around other children!!

• You helped mommy make cookies for Christmas! It was a fun {and messy} experience...but that was the whole point ; )

• You love doing your flashcard with mommy during the day!

• You have started to use an open cup!

• Your visit to see Santa wasn't exactly successful. You would NOT, at ALL, sit on his lap alone for a picture. It therefore became a "family affair". Better luck next year, eh?

• You got a play kitchen for Christmas and you just love it!!

• Your Abuela bought you a Dora potty for Christmas {among a lot of other things!} - is that time coming soon? Potty training?! Now that you are pulling your pants up and down, and let us know when you've gone "poo poo", I think the time may be coming soon. We will see!

• Playdough has entered our house - and you get a total kick out of it!

• You continue to follow instruction so well! {ie: "Go get your shoes and put them in the closet."}

• We love when you run up to us with your arms out to give us a big hug!!

• The picture below shows what you do a lot of these days...you look at Mommy and then look to see what you can get into!

• You have become such a daddy's girl!!! If he is out of your sight {even to use the bathroom} you cry out for him...you just love being under your daddy : )

• You are so good at saying "please" when you want something : )

• You love to color/draw...these days you're all about wanting to use a pen ; )

• When you eat something that you really love, you say "yum yum yum" and rub your belly over and over. It's the cutest thing!!

• You remain a GREAT sleeper and you ALWAYS wake up SO HAPPY!!!!

• You know how to use Daddy's ipad, and mommy's touch pad. As in...you REALLY know how to use it...you press the button to turn it on and find your learning apps and the games you like playing. You are SO smart Ilah!!

• You "fake sleep" when its time for bed - because you want to stay put wherever you are at {the couch, mommy & daddy's bed}...it's the cutest thing...but you don't fool us ; )

• You love to turn your light on and off in your room by using your step stool.

• We recently enrolled you in Gymboree classes; we know you will just LOVE going!!

• You just love being outside!!

• When you get hurt, you come to us and say "boo boo" and we give you kisses and say "all better" and you smile and go back to whatever it was you were doing. You also kiss mommy and daddy's "ouchies" too.

• You are not only a beautiful little girl, but you are a happy & healthy little girl and we are SO thankful for that!!

Ilah, you are quite the combination of both your mommy and your daddy, not just in looks, but in your personality too!! I pray that you continue to evolve into a little girl who loves God, and that you remain happy and always feeling loved, protected, cared for, and special. You are one of our dreams come true - and no matter your age, will always be our little girl.

Mommy & Daddy