FL Visit- March 2011

We had a great time in FL visiting with all of my family and spending lots of time at the beach. Kelsey finally loves it and it was incredibly fun to watch her have so much fun! We're so glad we are raising a FL girl, even if we live in Missouri! :)

20-21 Months Catchup Blog 1

As you can imagine, life with a toddler, owning your own small business (SpeakWithElise.com) and a major job change (Adam) can keep you fairly busy. So here's a brief recap of the last few months........ I want to get caught up, even if not as thorough as usual since our big girl turns 2 in a matter of days. Where does the time go?

Kelsey and I threw a PJ party where we partied in our PJs and collected Pjs and bedtime books for kids in need. (Jan. 2011)


We drove to Springfield, MO to visit Aunt Di Di while she visited Becky. (2/20/11)

Feeding the Ducks with Daddy :)

Loving on Mommy at a Baby shower for one of Kelsey's friends new baby brother.

20 Months- Our animated taco eating toddler

Kelsey is finally 20 lbs!! Most kids hit the 20lb mark around 12 months. 20 lbs at 20 months, Yay!! Hip Hip Hooray for our mini girl! :) As you know and we can prove, GREAT things come in small packages. Kelsey is officially pacifier free. It was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be. She also said her first 3 word phrase, "up please, mommy." She understands pretty much everything, follows multiple step commands, loves to color, play playdough and put stickers on everything. She also loves to hang by her hands only for over 10 seconds at My Gym, asks to play with her BFF, Ryanne, daily, wants help doing sommersaults and takes photo album after photo album off the shelf and names all the family and friends in the photos. Kelsey continually gives us hugs and kisses, often unsolicited and loves to snuggle. We are so lucky to be her parents. We couldn't be happier. :)

Ringing in 2011

We celebrated 2011 as a family, going out to our favorite Asian Fusion restaurant and heading home for an early dance party........ Kelsey really loves Daddy's milkshakes!

12/31/10

A Whole Lotta WINTER

We've spent lots of time indoors this winter and had lots of snowstorms. Here's just a few shots of our everlasting winter.

Some fun sledding on 12/25/10

19 Months

Kelsey is 19 MONTHS old and we are loving every new thing Kelsey does as now multiple new words/phrases and/or new skills occur daily. Some of our recent favorites include:

-"loh loo" (love you)

-"I on know" (I don't know said with a head tilt and arms raised palms up)

- "Bella, NO!!!" in her loudest yell with her finger shaking at Bella's face (and this is much louder than her usual sweet sweet voice- it appears she's bossy like her mama ;)

- Climbing down the stairs without help backwards feet first.

-Climbing to sit on her chair at her kid table and my chair at our dinner table

-"Mommy, No." said matter of factly because apparently, Kelsey is the boss in our house now.

-Kelsey is now naming and knows certain TV/book characters, specifically "Elmo" "Cookie" etc.

-Kelsey's attempt to sing the blessing with us as we light the Chanukah candles, but even better how after we light our menorah, she goes past her present to light her wooden candles (thanks, Aunt Diane and Uncle Gary) and "sing" the blessing. SO cute

-Kelsey's uncanny ability to understand things we don't remember showing her let alone teaching her.

-How she pats and rubs our back when we pick her up.

Kelsey NEVER ceases to amaze us. We feel like the luckiest parents in the world!

Chanukah

Kelsey now says "CHEESE" for the camera :)

Very intently playing with her brand new menorah. Thanks, Aunt Diane and Uncle Gary! It's a favorite toy!

Helping Daddy build her new car!

Loving it! Thanks, Grandma, Poppy, Aunt Caren and fam!

Faster, Faster, Faster............ :)

Happy Chanukah!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bubbie came to visit for the long weekend.

We were happy that Carrie and Ryanne joined us for our Turkey Day Feast!

Two peas in a pod- their first bath together:)

Hugging Bubbie "Nite Nite"

ATL trip Part 2- Friends

Many of my ATL girlfriends got together for brunch :)

Cooper was so nice to share his car:)

Kelsey's first donut- BIG FAN!

All our kids :) My how things have changed! L to R- Kelsey, Trey, Ava, Jackson, Olivia

Post Early Thanksgiving Jumpathon starring the kiddos. SO cute!

We had a great time seeing friends in ATL during our trip. As usual we always wish we had more time to spend. Hoping it won't take a year for the next trip. Miss you guys!

ATL Trip Part 1- Family 11/5/10

Kelsey had a great time seeing her family in Atlanta. She got to spend time with Grandma, Poppy, Aunt Caren, Uncle Jim and cousins, Lauren and Allison. She had a blast laughing and playing, going to eat and visiting the aquarium. She can't wait to see her family again!!!

Trick or Treat

Kelsey went trick or treating for the first time this year. She was excited to be a duck and quacked all over our house before we left. Then we went to 3 houses in the neighborhood. She kept wanting to go inside the houses. Maybe next year she'll grasp that the candy is the best part of trick or treating :) This year, she took one of each option from our neighbor David and proceeded to put them all back. Too cute! Even after our 3 houses, she was very tired on the way home.......... It was a great Halloween!