22&23 .....almost TWO!

Where has the time gone?????I cannot believe the summer is almost over and my little baby is almost two! We have lived everyday to the fullest and you have made sure to leave no stone unturned that is for sure. You have completely started your journey into finding your own sense of self and it is a dominant one to say the least. I think the funniest part of watching you grow is the amazing sense of humor you have. You will look at us and say "I'm mean" and I will tell you, "no Danica be nice," to which you reply with your mean face louder, "I'm mean." When we put you in time out you roll your eyes at us by moving them side to side, boy are we in trouble. It is beyond hilarious because then you start to giggle after! You are beyond adorable I can't even handle it! Have I mentioned just how cute your voice is, both you and Charli should do voice overs for movies! You continue to be a sponge with vocabulary and are truly able to communicate with us and with others. This summer you took your first gymnastics class and swim lessons. Gymnastics you were just fearless, jumping off everything, and even the instructors commented on your strength and coordination to jump with 2 feet. Swim however it took until day 3 of 4 for you to stop crying for Mommy but you did it! That was a feat in itself for us both. You continue to be an extra busy toddler but the ability to communicate with you makes for so much more independence for us all. In a flash you will get in to something but you are understanding the difference between right and wrong, hot and cold, good and bad, and of course mean and nice! You really love music and have a sense of rhythm to dance to any beat. You are quite a problem solver and I have watched you explore different ways to do and get what you need including tipping over the diaper genie and using it as a stepping stool to get on to the changer. Safe no, intuitive yes. I love watching you play, you are a wonderful Mommy to your babies. You tuck them in, you take them shopping, you give them kisses, and even change their diapers. So sweet. You love to do what Charli is doing and then make sure whatever Charli is doing you can somehow knock down or mess up, not completely intentional but with the usual sibling intent. Bath time with Charli is really fun and because you get along so well and it makes life so much easier. Charli is truly an amazing big sister and understands she can help keep you safe so she is very good at sharing and teaching you new things, like jumping on the bed-ok not always safe things.  Like your big sister, you love clothes and LOVE shoes, everyones shoes, you walk around the house in high heels carrying your keys with a purse on your shoulder and sun glasses on upside down, you are your own little diva. (not to mention carrying your woobie, still trying to break that habit) Your mouth is full of teeth and your hair is a golden brown with a flip curl in the back. Your little legs are just too cute and you like your sister love to run so fast! Between stroller rides and trips to the pool, parties, seeing the horsies, and music fests it has been a hot summer with something fun to do every day! You have made sure to make yourself stand out through it all with your big blue eyes and adorable personality. With it being your second 4th of July the parade was so much fun and you did such a great job taking in all the floats and all the action. We had such a great time!  On the flip side the fireworks at Arlington Park were so loud so that didn't work out as planned, but the next day you could communicate with Grandma that the fireworks were , "too loud" and went "boom boom boom." Speaking of Grandma you have created her name, "Yamma" and it couldn't be cuter or sweeter when you say it. I think we can all agree when you say,  "yarli, yeah, yep, thank you" and "welcome" it melts our hearts but nothing can make your day more than when you say "Love you most." These past two months have been the most special because of those 3 words.  WE love YOU most Danica! Looking forward to going to the Zoo and your 2nd birthday party! We are having it  at 23 months to hope the weather is better than last year, fingers crossed! I hope you get whatever you wish for honey, my wish came true when I had you!

21 months

Have I mentioned lately that you can say "I love you" and just how beautiful, happy, smart, athletic and sweet you are... I don't think there is more to add this month besides the fact of just how in love we are with you- it is just beyond. You are the sunshine to everyday, I can't wait for the summer to begin and swim swim swim.

19-20 months

So much has gone on in the last 2 months including another trip to Siesta Key, Florida. The traveling part of the trip was rough but the trip itself was awesome!  I tried to book flight times you would be sleeping but the only one spread out on the seats of the plane fast asleep was Charli. No worries here because the rest of the trip was full of sunshine and smiles.We had such a great time going swimming running around on the beach, shopping and listening to live music; what a tease of what summer will be like. You and your sister are definitely fish that's for sure! We were more successful on the sand  this time with you both, but the pool is definitely where we spent most of the trip. Your vocabulary and communication skills are growing daily, you are becoming your own little independent person and a little princess. I am still amazed with how feminine you are and at the same time just how athletic and strong you are. When you wrestle with Charli she doesn't even stand a chance. You are just so busy and funny and soooo fast! I have to admit something... woobie is back, since we went on the trip we needed to make sure we had something to comfort you, so yes we allowed woobie to join but only at night time! You also have a full mouth of teeth to bite on woobie with and they are very cute teeth, the front two still have a slight slant so your jack-o-lantern smile continues to make everyone else smile. Your favorite thing to do is get yourself into the bathroom, close the toilet lid, climb up on the sink, get in to the sink, run the water and brush your teeth. Oh yes, if the bathroom door is open you make a mad dash to get in there before any one notices! You are also quite the fashionista like your sister and love to try on everyone's shoes especially my high heels and try to walk in them. You find clothing and try to put them on over your clothes which is so silly. You end up stuck in all of them. It is safe to say that staying home and doing outside activities like the park or a bike ride are a good idea at this age. Going to restaurants bad idea! Sitting in a high chair or your own chair in the kitchen is not happening, I mean not at all. However, at home you do a good job trying to sit in a regular chair until you try to climb up on to the table and take Charli's food or cups. The two of you together are just too much, there cannot be this much cuteness. You have started to imitate Charli's manipulative ways using your cuteness to your advantage. You fold your arms across you body and make a poutie face when you want something which of course you get. You play a game with me where we make a happy face then a mad face then switch again back and forth- it is so cute! You love to have "uppy" and say the word "yeah." Reilly and River are definitely favorites of yours although I think they may  have a difference of opinion when you pull their tails or try to ride them. Sometimes you just decide to sit on River while he is laying down but on occasion when you fall asleep on the floor he has decided to snuggle right next you. The love is mutual. This is the same with Charli when I pick you up and you are in your car seats every day you hold hands on the ride home, my heart grows a 100 times! The weather hasn't been the best so I am waiting until we can spend a lot of time outside. You love to watch the ducks in the creek and your faces are all so animated. You are the happiest little girl and everything in your eyes seems so fun, it makes your Dad and I feel so blessed. Let me tell you though Danicane still exists you can get in to things in no time and you are fearless which instills a lot of fear in Mom. From jumping off the couch to climbing on everything; we have rearranged the furniture many times. You are very aware of what we say and when you are not behaving or not listening you are put in time out  and you make the funniest poutie face and when we talk to you about what you did you actually roll your eyes- OMG what are we in for, oh and then you just go and do it again. The other day you were naked, opened the sliding door, and ran outside and it was so cold out, then when we got you back  inside and you did it again--it was right after bath time! Oh Danica bath time with Charli is your favorite and you are definitely captain of the ship. Your sister is very aware of you and in love with you. It is so special when you hug and give each others kisses and just laugh with one another. Your voices are both so adorable it is music to my ears. You both love music and love to dance and sing and your dance moves are just beyond. You love to spin around and then a lot of squat movements and facial expressions- how does one not laugh and want to squeeze you. You are soooo stinking cute and all ours! The best is when you carry around your two babies in your arms and try to feed them, then you put your finger in front of your lips and say shhhhh nini --you know the baby is sleeping.You have learned this from the baby at Kathy's house who you are very kind too, you are a good friend to all the kids. Let me tell you the best part about this age is that you can say " I love you." Luckiest Mom and Dad ever!

18 months smart as a whip and strong like bull!

Danica you went cold turkey on your Woobie! How amazing, we took it away one day and that was that. Daddy hid your woobies(we have gone through a duck, a bear, a dog, a caterpillar, an elephant and a giraffe-I feel like there was a frog in the mix too)in the cabinet and when Charli was looking for nail polish, I opened the cabinet and there they were, I was holding you in my arms and you got a glimpse---AHHHHH you saw them and said "wooie, woobie." I closed the cabinet door as fast as I could and distracted you with some boots, your new addiction. You love shoes! Your shoes, my shoes, Daddy's shoes, Charli's shoes, it doesn't matter who they belong to you are putting them on! Even high heeled shoes, you are quite the fashionista just like your sister. You like to put on hats and carry your purse and say "bye bye." Your vocabulary is terrific: boots, shoes, mom, dad, doggie, hot dog, gamma, no, yes, boo-boo, chali, nigh nigh, eat, woobie, baby, kat-t, balloon; just to name a few, quite impressive! Your psychomotor skills are just as impressive and you are so coordinated, strong, and are an amazing problem solver. You test your boundaries and limits on everything! I am truly impressed with how intelligent you are and your amazing memory-- just like your sister. It is remarkable the brain and thought process you have going on in your head. We have a gate up for the dogs and you know exactly how to climb the gate and what to climb up on to get yourself up on the computer desk and playing with the mouse, not to mention the strength required. The same goes with climbing on Charli's bed to turn the light switch on and off and when you are on the couch to knock around the picture on the wall and to bang on the windows. You are very funny and have quite a quick temper, you can destroy a room in a minute and then start to giggle and do it again. You are quick with a scratch, hair pull, or even a punch but then you think it is funny, we are definitely working on that, you have gotten all of us with at least one antic, but honestly sometimes it is hard not to laugh. Your drama is contagious you are such a little actress and just love being independent whether it be spinning in a circle, running so fast and falling down on the ground laying on your back and lifting your legs in the air, or playing hide and seek. When you sit in your high chair it is almost impossible at times to get you in because you want to be in a big girl seat so we gave in. Plus you think it is funny to feed the dogs and throw your food or cup. You just lean your head way back and laugh, oh Danica you are something else roodabegga! Kathy took you to soccer city and boy did it look like you had the best time running around and going wherever you want chasing soccer balls and playing with hoolahoops and being your smiling happy awesome self and with quite a smile that is... You have a full mouth of teeth, the front two with a slight slant, which brings me back to the woobie...You have been teething, a little under the weather, and along came 18 month sleep regression you all of a sudden just stopped wanting to take naps or go to sleep at night, after 3 days we couldn't take anymore and gave in to the power of the woobie, you were out in 30 seconds. We are going to keep the woobie around for a little while longer! This month has brought so many events including Tot Rock class! You have not really improved on your sharing and kindness skills, but if being a boss means anything you are ahead of the class. We had Charli's 4th birthday party at a Firezone place and you loved it! You were in your fire hat, fire jacket, and the cutest ruffle pants. Bam Bam was all over the place, especially the slide. Instead of sliding you walked down it, went head first, and at one time face planted but that didn't stop you from going down the slide 100 times more! We also had your big 18 month Doctor appointment and you continue to top the charts in height and weight and you are healthy as can be. You and Charli both had to get shots and  that was torture for the whole family, however we celebrated Charli's birthday at Bob Chin's after and some cream cheese butter made everything better! You are awesome Danica, just beyond words. The best part of the day is always bath time and you can flood the bathroom with a splash! Your little voice and your little buns is it even able to get better than this?! I love you baby!

I am 16 (months) going on 17....

Oh Danicarudabegga....... you are something else. Although you have a Pebbles hairstyle you are definitely a "Bam Bam." The absolute busiest toddler I and anyone else in the world has ever met. You can get in to anything in the blink of an eye from climbing, to the dogs bowls and food, to making your way in the toilet. Charli thinks that is just so funny!You are so full of energy and so happy and just love to be free to do whatever you want from spinning in circles,to  running so fast, and oh of course cuddling with your bears and dolls....so sweet.  When you play dress up you put on your purse, hat, jewelry, and necklaces and are very sassy. You received Ugg boots for Christmas and you love your "boos," as you call them. You continue to be a terrific eater, especially when it comes to green beans and broccoli, oh and you love watermelon (although I'm not sure if you agree with it quite yet). Every night after you eat dinner you get a bath because oh what a mess we make. I am still interested in you eating with your hands but Grandma has introduced a fork to you and boy do you love that. Such a big girl. We have taken away your bottles and I don't think you even noticed. Nice job Mom and Dad! However I haven't even attempted to take away your woobie. You have 12 teeth and boy are they funny. The front teeth actually angle, so as cute as they are now I can only pray you will have beautiful big girl teeth. Your hair although lighter remains a soft brown like Grandma's and you have maintained Daddy's beautiful blue eyes. You continue to grow and your body is evening out, and you have such a dominant presence about you. You make direct eye contact and have a fearlessness about you that is beyond. The expressions you make and the little poses with your cheek to your shoulder take your adorableness to another level. Little miss Attitude does come out and you are still learning to be nice because you have a quick one two knock out especially when it comes to your sister's hair. Bad Bad Bad, I wish the word NO and BAD were in your vocabulary because you just look right at us and do it again... oh yes we are definitely in trouble. At Kathy's you let the kids know who is boss and she just gets a kick out of you, she reminds me almost daily that you are here favorite!!! This holiday season was awesome. We traveled to Florida and you took your 2nd plane ride and this time unlike before, was not so good. Busy toddler plus 2.5 hour flight you do the math...but we survived. You weren't feeling so well on the trip but that didn't stop you from having fun! Swimming was the highlight of the trip; you and your sister are little fishies. The beach and sand was another story. I just have to laugh at the deja vu of Siesta Key Beach, just like Charli you hated the sand. I mean hated it, tears, tantrum, fear, if sand touched any part of your body you stopped dead in your tracks and cried. I put you in swim shoes thinking that would help but the only thing that helped were little birdies that would run by and you would be distracted enough to run after them, that is until you'd fall down and then realize you have sand all over your hands. I can't help but laugh. You are all around drama--you would think when Daddy or I walk in your room in the morning you have won the lottery!( YES YOU SLEEP IN YOUR CRIB!) You get beyond excited to see us and to see Charli, what an awesome gift. The way you walk/run to get "upy" when you realize Grandma is over is another story and then you just want to be held by her, Grandma's girl! You are a great helper finding things and bringing them to us and you excel with technology just like your sister. You love to facetime and pretend you are talking on the phone, I can already see your imagination at work. And Danica you are on point with your dance moves, music comes on and you just dance--it really is amazing to have you and Charli. I don't know what Daddy and I did to deserve you both but someone really likes us!!!!! Let me not forget to mention your climbing up on the couch and then doing a dupasmash... this also happens when you are walking, you stop and fall back on your butt and lift your legs in the air and just giggle. What a little monkey you are Danica. Reilly and River know that because you are all over them too!!!! Danicane in the house! Summary---Dancing, talking, climbing, screaming, eating, strong, laughing, cute as a button, smart as a whip bottle of energy and loved beyond words!!!!

Merry Christmas

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!