14 months

Since your party so much has happened, you have grown like a weed! Your mouth is full of teeth which is the biggest change. They are so silly because they have a slant to them like a jack-o-lantern, it's a good thing they were coming in around Halloween! We have spent the Fall going to Uncle Eric's football games, parties, and having as much fun family time as we can. It was a tough start to your second year of life when sadly your GG went to Heaven just a few weeks after she celebrated you turning one. I think one of the last things she said was, "I love you Danica." Oh how she would light up when we'd say yours or Charli's name, and when you were around her I truly believe those were the most perfect moments in her life. She loved you so very much and I know she is an angel watching over you. Your GG was so very special and I want you to know just how much joy you and Charli brought to her and just how proud she was to be your GG. We will miss her very much.

Much to the meaning of your middle name, we continued to "Liv" and count our blessings daily. You continue to change every day and at about 12.5 months were an official walker and runner, and have received the new nickname of Danicane; as you very much resemble a hurricane!!! I know Kathy has a field day with you whether you are trying to hog all her attention, push down Maria, or take someone's toy, you are always on a mission with a different facial expression that goes with your next move. My favorite being how you yell at kids to "off" when they try to pick you up, or the "p-u"" plugging of your nose for poopies. You also know to point to your nose on cue, so smart!

Your weekdays are filled with stimulating interaction playing with multiple kids at Kathy's, or going on outings to the library, shopping, the park, or out to eat just to name a few. Then every Friday night you and Charli get very excited to see Uncle Eric and the Bartlett Hawk. Your vocabulary continues to grow and even consists of communicating with the Hawk by yelling at him and laughing. A 13 month old not afraid of a mascot, unheard of, and better yet you are friends with him! You love to walk up and down the ramps and back and forth down the fence of the games so it is definitely a workout for your Dad, Grandma, and I. Charli likes to encourage you so we watch 2 little girls all bundled up run and fall and run and fall. It's a perfect Friday night. The Hawks went back to the play-offs this year, I'd say they have 2 very lucky charms... Not to mention lucky charms for the Cubbies who went to the NLCS and in that vocabulary you have is, "Go Cubs!" It is beyond cute! You love when Charli sings the song, she is an awesome sister!

Eric and I both celebrated our birthdays and we shared a family dinner at Rosebud where you and Charli both helped to blow out our candles and eat the dessert! There was also the great holiday of Halloween to celebrate and we did that for many days. This year you were dressed as a poodle and Charli as a  poodle girl, what an adorable combo. We started the festivities at the high school where you colored, ran around, pushed a tricycle around an obstacle course and road on an indoor train! It was the petting zoo that caused us distress when you didn't not want to leave the animals especially the giant turtle.  Just like the horse at your party, I think you think any new animals we see become yours :) We also went trick or treating at the strip mall and you got to sit on the front seat of a real firetruck, so cool. They gave away free ice cream so that was a real treat sharing cones with Daddy and your sister. Everywhere we walked I could hear people say "those are the most beautiful girls I have ever seen."

You are following in Charli's footsteps with your fashion sense, as you love to try to put headbands on and clothes over your clothes. You are so cute with your purse that you put around your neck and walk around the house, all while carrying your baby. How sweet! We are beyond blessed to have two such beautiful and smart girls.

You are very intelligent when it comes to problem solving....so Charli taught you to open the oven of the toy kitchen, climb on it, up and on to the play kitchen, and then bang on the windows....oh yeah that happened! You have figured out stairs as well and though you take precautions you are a Danicane, so limited precautions if that. We have had no major injuries but somehow you and the door hit one another and you ended up with the biggest goose-egg on your forehead, I cannot believe it didn't split open and get this it healed within a week. You are such a strong girl. Thinking of strength you were very brave at your Doctor appointment where you received 3 more shots, but the stranger danger  has begun and you had it with Dr. Mike and you have now started it with others as well. We had Charlee babysit and you cried for the 2 hours we were gone! No more babysitter while you are awake unless its Grandma!  And in Dr. Mike's defense it might have been the shots that got your riled up as I never left your side. You continue to top the chart at 70% for height and wow have you evened out on your body, but your thighs are still the cutest and your little boob. Your hair has maintained a light brown color and we have yet to give you a haircut as it has given itself its own adorable style. Let's not forget those blue eyes they continue to melt hearts.---Speaking of Grandma, you are in love with her, sometimes you just sit on her lap the eintre time we are at a restaurant without even a squirm! What is that all about, it gives her a big head that she has the magic touch...shh don't tell her she really does :)

Your Feet! This deserves its own paragraph. They are huge! I'd say a size 4! And get this you are coordinated enough to kick a soccer ball over and over while picking up your pace. Now that's quite a feat, pun intended!! #proudmomma   and don't forget the USA Women won the World Cup this year!

Last but not least you are such a terrific eater! You either like something or you don't and there isn't really much you don't like, you even suck on lemons!! Oh and the faces you make, priceless. I'd say you are a 70% greens eater, you love greeny beanies as I call them and you love peas. Good girl honey, and you even have helped with the dog's diets by feeding them from your high-chair. Don't tell but sometimes I watch daddy try to put you in the chair and boy do you extend your legs straight out to resist it and it is FUNNY!!! What until you are a teenager!

Oh and I forgot to mention...sleeping arrangements have still not been finalized in regards to a set place but we do have a set time. We have kept you and your sister on the pre-daylight savings time and its working! Eat, bath, play, bed...prayers....Thank God for you and Charli and God Bless us ALL, I love you!

One YEAR Old!

Danica Roo you are already one year old.... WHAT, when did that happen??? It is an absolute true statement when they say time flies when you have kids and they grow up so fast; honestly it is almost surreal that you are ONE! On August 8th you began taking your first steps and what silly ones they were, with every step you laughed and giggled and when you fell down you crawled as fast as you could to your destination. Charli is so helpful holding your hands to help assist you in walking but it ends up looking like you are pushing a football sled and you both are moving so fast until one or both of you fall down. With each passing day you continue to take more and more steps but honestly you are all about speed and what will get you there faster, whether it be to walk, crawl, or roll---but all with a smile on your face. You are a true Houdini who can finagle out of anything and in a moment you are gone. Your mobility has made for tired parents that is for sure. With four teeth coming in you continue to be such a happy girl; but may I add they are really nice big chompers and seeing as you are such a terrific eater it is the perfect match. At your one year Doctor Appointment, one in which Charli repeatedly reminded everyone in the office that it is " Danica's Day," you weighed in at 22lbs and continue to top the charts in height. What a healthy big girl you are and how brave you were receiving 3 shots. Like appointments in the past you really don't miss a beat once the appointment is over and your smile just continues on. Oh Danica, that smile, those cheeks, those teeth, you are something else. Speaking of something else....let's discuss TOT Rock. We had our first class and let's see... you hate sharing, you hate clean up, you don't want to sit where you are supposed to, you scream to get your way, and you are too smart for your own good- I think that sums it up. I had the best time, it was hard not to laugh. We have a lot to work on, but your high fives and being nice to the other kids and smiling are on point. Oh and you know when you are bad--you know.
     Let's talk birthday celebrations. On your birthday we went to the German restaurant and you were serenaded by a duo playing  the accordian at September fest-- everyone in the place was given bells including you, and we all sang Happy Birthday. How awesome that was! Then we went to see Uncle Eric's football game where you would scream and yell- the perfect environment for you. Then next day was your party which was a party for the ages, ponies, petting zoo, and pool party at Grandma's and it was awesome! Once you got on the pony you did not want to get off- you weren't afraid for a second. The weather was on the cooler side as opposed to the heat we have been dealing with and the rain held off, I know Grandpa was there especially when you were riding the pony "Ice" and "Keen Ice" beat American Pharoah at the wire-- no one saw that coming. We had over 100 people there to celebrate your day and everyone had such a great time. It is wonderful to have such a great group of people celebrate and love you. You did an amazing job with the smash cake Grandma made and you smeared it all over my face, thanks honey! Charli helped blow out your candle and was more then happy to help open your presents and play with them and what terrific presents you received. I'd say a great year was topped of with a wonderful party for an amazing girl! We love you honey!