Sleeping Beauty!

I couldn't resist!

Chillin in her chair...

This made me smile. Reese chillin in her camp chair, watching Curious George.

All by herself!

Today was a big day...it was the first time we've been to the park since last summer and Reese was way into it. She was climbing and running all over the place with all the big kids, and before I even knew what was happening she was flying down the big slide all by herself. Gone is the baby of last summer. Suddenly I have a fearless, independent little girl that wasn't concerned at all whether or not I was at the end of the slide to catch her; not that she needed me. As I watched her climb to the top of the biggest slide over and over again, my heart skipped a beat. Wasn't I sitting in the hospital, holding her in my arms for the first time just yesterday?? Is it really only these short few months that we get to have our babies, be our babies?? I guess so.

On the other hand, I couldn't have been more proud. She is such a strong little person. I can't wait to see the woman she will grow to be.

In the mean time, I'll try to be at the end of each and every slide...just in case she needs me.

Can I do the dishes please??

These pictures are to one day remind Reese that she used to love to do the dishes!

I love that she has to wear the gloves, just like me!

If only more than the front of her shirt got washed.

18 Months and counting...

On March 10th our little Reese turned 18 months old.

Let's get the stats out of the way...

Height - 34.5" - 100%

Weight - 26 lbs. - 73%

Head - 18" - 77%

Needless to say, we have one tall baby girl on our hands! And I guess I really shouldn't refer to her as a baby anymore, although she will always be my baby. Reese has transformed into a little girl overnight. There have been so many changes and developments in Reese's life over the last few months, I wanted to record a few for memory!

• Reese has been slowly growing tired of her high chair and ever since we got our new dining table, she has been determined to sit in a chair like a big girl. So I finally gave in and put the high chair away for good. She now "officially" sits at the big kid table.
• Reese continues to be a very good eater. I'm amazed at her love of all things green. She will also eat pretty much everything I cook. From sweet & sour pork, pesto chicken salad, butternut squash ravioli, fish...you name it, she will eat it. I really hope her "open minded" palate will only continue to grow.
• Reese loves shoes...I don't know where she could possibly get that from "wink wink". She has also started expressing her opinion as to which shoes she would like to wear for the day. She has these super cute pink loafers that I got on clearance at Old Navy. I have to talk her out of wearing them everyday with every outfit. Her second favorite pair are her black mary-jane's. I think these two are her favorite because they are the easiest for her to put on all by herself. She gets so excited when she can do it all by herself.
• Blowing bubbles has been a long time favorite of Reese's, but she has now learned how to blow them by herself. I think the beaming pride of self reliance is more exciting to her than the bubbles themselves.
• Doing things "by herself" is a growing theme in Reese's life. From blowing her own nose, feeding herself, throwing away her own trash, peeling her own bananas, dressing herself, etc... etc...etc...If there's a will, there's a way for Reese. And that's one personality trait I absolutely adore in my little girl.
  
• Some traits I wouldn't mind seeing a little less...the fits. Reese has entered her terrible two's early. But I'm trying to put myself in her shoes and think what it might be like from her perspective; with limited communication ability, always being told what to do, and probably worse...what not to do. Having no cognitive ability to reason or understand consequence and only wanting the immediate gratification of my desires. I might toss myself on the floor in a fit or rage from time to time as well. But I'd really try not to do it in the middle of Walmart with dozens of strangers watching as my poor mom stood over me in complete helplessness.
• Reese loves her dolly's. As of late she's started playing with them a lot more. She wraps them and feeds them and likes to rock them. She's a little mommy in the making.
• Reese is talking more and more, and continues to surprise us with new words and sounds every day. Like most kids her age, she learns a new word and that's all she says for several days. Then she stops saying the word all together. I'm sure they'll all come back eventually.
• Her most recent obsession is with giving hugs. She gives the best hugs, nice and tight. Randomly through out the day, she'll come over to me and want a hug. She'll wrap her arms around me, bury her face into neck and squeeze really tight while giggling. Then she jumps down and goes back to playing. It's the sweetest thing, and my favorite moments of the day.
• Reese is a climber! She will climb on anything and everything. Nothing in the house is safe from her reach. Especially anything chocolate. Like her daddy, she can sniff it out!
• Reese is incredibly social. She loves other kids. We are lucky living in our neighborhood where she is surrounded by so many friends. She is especially fond of the pack of boys that run around the neighborhood. She will follow them for hours, wanting to do all things "big kid". They are all so sweet gentle with her it amazes me. I think Tyler, Gavin, Holden & Hudson have adopted Reese as their surrogate little sister.

I could probably go on and on...I am a proud mom after all! Reese amazes and delights us daily! I've never laughed and loved so much. Arnold and I feel so blessed to have her in our lives. So despite the occasional frustrations of a strong willed and independent child...we wouldn't trade her for the world!

Random Pics...

I'm in love with these eye's, both on this little girl and on her daddy!

Reese showing off her seat at the big table, and how thick her hair is getting.

Sometimes while playing "mommy & baby"...Reese gets confused about who's the baby!

The big day!!

Today was the day! Reese's first "official" day in nursery. When I was put into the nursery last spring, Reese was lucky enough to join me each week. But when I was released last December, She had to leave as well. It's been a rough few months, trying to find ways to entertain Reese at church. Most Sundays ended with us going home after Sacrament meeting. Reese is just too loud and active to participate in adult Sunday School or Relief Society. So this day has been greatly anticipated. I worried that after a few months out of nursery she would be hesitant to go back, especially without me...boy was I relieved to discover that was not the case. She strutted right in there like she owned the place waving goodbye to me as I walked out the door. Between Sunday School and Relief Society I went into change her diaper and she got upset that I was taking her away. She's one smart kid; she knows where the toys and treats are. All in all it was a success! Hopefully it stays that way. And on another note...I enjoyed two full hours of uninterrupted spiritual upliftment that I haven't' had in quite awhile!

As a side note I wanted to mention a couple other cute things that happened at church today. Reese has a little friend in the neighborhood named Cohen. They were born just 2 days apart and were hospital nursery buddies. In the last 18 months they've had fun playing and growing up together. In Sacrament Cohen was sitting across from us. Reese and Cohen kept looking at each other and waving, showing each other their toys from across the isle. During one of the prays I saw Reese showing Cohen her fruit snacks and Cohen extending his hand for some. That's when Reese said, "Co Co mama Co Co". She wanted to share with him, but couldn't reach. She's never said his name before and I wasn't sure if that's really what she was saying, then several more times during the meeting she pointed over to Cohen and said, "Co Co, Co Co". It was so cute.

Later, during nursery when I went in to change Reese, she and Cohen were playing together. When I picked Reese up to take her out, Cohen started to cry running after us. I assured him she would be right back. When I brought her back Cohen came running to the door. I put Reese down and the two of them walked off together to play. It was so sweet. Reese is lucky to have such a good little friend in Cohen!

I wanted to get a picture of Reese on her "big day"! And this is what I got...a lot of nothing. She wouldn't stand still or look at me for more than a second. I decided to post them anyway because they are so indicative of what our life with Reese is like! Go Go Go Go Go!! When I was her age my grandpa used to call me his little whirlwind! If he were alive today, I'm sure he'd call her whirlwind Jr.

I'm passing down the shoe addiction!

Seriously!! How cute are these new Easter shoes I got for Reese! I can't wait for her to wear them with her Easter dress!

Reese's new friend - Charlize Wightman

Our good friends Mark & Laura came over for dinner tonight and we got to meet the newest little Wightman, baby Charlize. She is soooo cute! Reese was in love. We didn't even have to stage this picture. Reese climbed up onto the couch and snuggled right up to Charlize. She even shared her favorite snuggle blanket with her.

I don't know...but I think Reese wants a baby sister!

(Please excuse the crazy post-pigtail hair that Reese is sporting in all the last posts. The "pretties" only stay in until about dinner time, and they she rips them out for comfort...I can't say that I blame her.)

The best birthday present!

Arnold favorite birthday present...when his baby girl snuggled up next to him on the couch while watch TV. Oh...the simple joys.

Her chef's pallet is forming...

While I was making Arnold's birthday dessert, Reese took her regular spot on the counter helping me every step of the way. And by help, I mean licking the bowl with the whip cream.


Then she noticed there was a bowl of broccoli defrosting for dinner. Reese loves broccoli, so she helped herself to a tasting...

And so it went... a taste of broccoli, a lick of whipped cream, a taste of broccoli, a lick of whipped cream...yummy??!

I couldn't resist this broccoli close up! I love that little face!