4/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2016."

in this moment:

right now, in this moment, I'm in love with your love of our home.   and everything that comes with this little neighborhood finally feeling like ours. we've lived here three years, but now that we own here, the permanence just makes everything different.   you are so excited to show your friends your new home, and exclaim daily how much you love a little part of the home.  on our way out to dinner last night you chose Skip's, and commented on the delicious smells as we walked in the door.  and I melted, in this moment. 

oh hey, I'm ONE [22 months]

Of all the months, I think my mom is the most glad that this last one is in the books.  I started flaunting my intelligence, and my determination to not listen to my parents.  Which really just means, I'm trouble.  It all started a few months back when I went through my "Disney graphic t-only phase".  Mom thought that one was bad, but this past month I pretty much refused to wear clothes, that is, without a giant tantrum.  Or shoes for that fact.  I just wanted to have none of it, and it sure caused trying to go anywhere to be a little more work than my parents were planning on.  But because I really do love those grown ups of mine, I woke up at twenty-two months, and decided I was over it.  So for the most part, I let them dress me, and only once in a while do I interject my opinion on the manner.

I'm still gearing up for my big birthday by proclaiming I'm "TWO" whenever someone asks me my age.  I also love anything that comes in sets of two.  For instance, mom and I can't just eat one popsicle, we have to eat two of them at the same time.  Sometimes I switch my treat for hers, and other times I just like having us compare our treats together stating "two".  I also like putting two words together like "dad's shoes" and "my water".  I also love rhyming words such as house and mouse.  I'm in constant chatter mode now, and more and more seems to be getting through to the outside world.  I'm getting more real answers to my questions and less, "oh really", "mmmhmmm", and "oh I see".  I was catching on to that game pretty fast.  I also can point to every body part that mom asks to see, and I'm working on my animal noises.  Of course I have down kitties, and doggies [super realistic bark actually] and I'm working on monkey, and I make a little scrunchy nose face for bunny, thanks to Erin for teaching me this one.

In other news I love buckets, cups, baths, and all things concerning water, dirt, and outside.  This month I've been obsessed with plums and pluots, frozen yogurt and popsicles.  I seem to be getting taller, but sure not wider.  That little yellow skirt is a 12 month size, and it still is about an inch too big around the waist.  Good news, you will get to see me wear it through the spring.  I love helping outside, especially when it comes to sweeping leaves.  Mom says I'm going to love fall when the leaves are really falling, right now apparently they are falling off the trees due to a serious drought situation, but all I know is it makes for some good stomping fun while outside.  Lately I've also taking a real liking to when mom is getting ready for the day.  I've had fun with her makeup brushes and anything mom will let me get my hands on.  I don't know if my parents are quite ready for all my girlieness, but hey, at least I also like the dirt.

Until next month - Everly Mae

Mom blogger note: I literally wrote this post over an entire week.  And thanks to a nice early nap on a Saturday [a minor cold situation is helping that] I was able to put all the pieces together to finally share her monthly update, about a week late.  I guess that's why professional bloggers plan out their posts in advance.  Maybe I will try it sometime.  Better push "publish" before a little stuffy nosed toddler starts proclaiming 'MOM' in her very serious tone she is using nowadays.  

oh hey, I'm ONE [15 months]

well hello again everyone - I'm 15 months old today!

lately I've been...

saying "this" a lot

shhhh-ing everything

thinking everything needs to be cooled off

by me blowing on it, especially my kitty luna

[and every other cat for that fact]

I'm a really good mimicker, whether it be sounds

words, phrases, or actions - you can tell I'm really watching closely

I know how to talk on the phone, even if it isn't a phone

I like nodding "yes" and "no" dramatically
chasing my daddy around the house is one of my favorite games

I can climb any steps with ease

and I'm working on walking up and down them like the big people do

I twirl when I'm happy

and love holding the hands of my favorite people

and leading them to where I want to go

whether it be story time in my nursery

or playing and the big bed in the guest room

[also known as the room I can always find my Luna in]

I dance with Ellen daily

and prefer my meals on the go

even though my parents keep insisting I eat in my high chair

I prefer eating my snack while lounging on the sofa

or while whipping of some imaginary meals

I still am loving all my mom's favorite foods

for example, pretty much every fruit is alright in my book

and I even think her junk food splurges are the best

cheetos & milky way midnights may have been eaten in moderation

size wise I'm still a mini

I'm wearing size four shoes - which apparently is what

6-12 month old babies should wear, so I guess I shouldn't be expecting

to hit 6 feet tall anytime soon

maybe I'll get to be as tall as my mommy, [5'3]

 maybe

I'm starting to move between 12-18 month clothing

and still rocking the size two diapers

my favorite songs currently include

John Newman's "Love Me Again"

and Katy Perry's "Dark Horse"

you can often see me running around the house with these songs

playing on my daddy's phone

and yes, my mom will most likely have me in toddler dance classes

before you know it

I also took my first photo using my mom's phone

and she even posted it to instagram for me

so yeah, I'm into artsy social-media

no big

I'm mean, I was born in 2012 after all

see you again next month

-everly mae

oh hey I'm ONE [13 months]

well that month flew by if  I do say so myself

it just seems like yesterday I was smashing cake in between my fingers

lately I've been loving the outdoors

I could play in the backyard for hours

[thank god for spray n' wash]

I've mastered walking and starting to run

I can also climb up stair like a pro

and even figured out how to get down

I get on my tummy, about two feet from where the stairs actually begin

and then I push myself on my belly until I feel the first step

I'm still taking my time getting down, but man, I figured it out

 I'm still dancing up a storm

loving every episode of Ellen

new things I've been eating lately include lasagna

chopped salads, pretzels, peanut butter sandwiches

and I'm still pretty obsessed with pizza

or anything bread related really

I haven't had purees too much this month

and I will still only drink out of a big girl cup

so thankfully it is winter, because I'm not too into water

unless I can stick my whole hand in the cup to play with it

or dump mom's water bottle on the floor and roll around in the puddle

because then I really love it

lately my 12 months clothes have been fitting pretty perfectly

and I even think I'm going to need the next size up soon

18 months - what?!?

crazy big jump, but I am almost there

my little waist is still keeping me in size two diapers

but hopefully by next month I'll get to share a new size there too!

and finally, this month brought some pretty awesome fun things around the house

like this giant tree that mom and dad

[and grandma and grandpa]

brought into the house

first I thought they were crazy, but once mom put the lights on it

and even gave me some special soft ornaments to have just at my height

see you next month 

-Everly Mae

Oh hey, I'm ONE [12 months]

well, well, well

it has been quite some time since I have written

I've decided now that I'm such a busy one year old

I will just be checking in monthly with all my favorite things

because if I thought things were fun as a crawler

they are way better now that I can walk

and practically run
and climb on everything my parents don't want me to

I may have taken my first steps at ten months

but I officially mastered life on two feet

the week of my first birthday
crawling is for babies, clearly

on the food front I am eating a lot more these days

and as we found out at Disneyland

I am quite the carnivore

[sorry auntie meg, grandpa wins this one, for now at least]

when I practically ate half of my dad's cheese burger

all my eating has officially brought me to the 12th percentile for my weight

and I'm now tipping the scales at 17 pounds 3.5 ounces [sarcasm inserted here]

and I'm in the 34th percentile for my height at 29 inches

at my 12 month check up I was given the green light for everything

[tummy, toes, and nose all in the right places]

and besides the fact that I am not a fan of my nurse

[serious tears just looking at him, yet the burly bearded guy at home depot, no issues]

so mom said we would give this young guy one more chance

and then we may have to change doctors in the practice

if they won't let us see another nurse - apparently they are a strict package deal

on a happier note, I am dancing often

I love anything with a strong beat or drums

I can play my xylophone like it's nobody's business

I'm practicing my snapping skills

[because I have clearly mastered clapping]

I wave hello and goodbye to everyone

[except before mentioned nurse]

I'm getting better at hugs

and any little squeezes I give away to my family seem to be well received

I suppose I will keep the hugs coming

mom and I have a new lunch time classroom routine that involves

me getting to walk the empty hallways after

my speedy boobie snack session

and if I'm lucky, there may even be a big kid or two to stop and 

say hello to - they are always my favorite

mama and dada are still being thrown about

but mom hasn't declared them as "real words" until they are used properly

and more than once

that's what I get for having a mom who is also a teacher

no babbling here will be passing for language

I do mimmic very well

and animals seem to be at the top of my word priority list

duck, cat, and dog have all been muttered in some way, shape, or form

so I think I will keep practicing my words

remember to give hugs

and hey, while I work all that out, I'll definitely be giving away free smiles

until next month

-Everly Mae

everly mae is eleven months old

Baby girl, I cannot believe that we are only a month away from your first birthday.  With the passing of each month, you become even more lovable, if that is even possible.  I love how you are coming into your own mannerisms and personality.  My favorite little thing lately is when you hold out your two hands and make little grabbing motions with your tiny fingers, letting us know that you are wanting something.  You have been so amazing at communicating from the beginning, and even though we are just trying out words and sounds right now, you are never unclear with your intentions. Everly Mae, you are your mother's daughter.  Even people who just meet you can see how determined you are with everything, and once you set you mind to something, you will make sure to complete the task.  This can be exhausting for your parents from time to time, even so, I love your drive to succeed. Thankfully, you have a perfect blend of your daddy, because people also comment on your calm nature when we are carrying you and out and about.  We always joked that we hoped that our baby would be this blend of our two personalities, and at eleven months, that is seeming to come true.  We are the luckiest.

Everly, you are such a little lady.  Now you are wearing big girl shoes, practicing your walking, and even fitting into some size 12 mo. clothing!  You are still the best snuggler at night, and I am so blessed that we began co-sleeping with you.  Happy baby, happy mama, and daddy enjoys the snuggles he gets too, once I'm off to work.

Everly, you are the light in every room.  We cannot go anywhere without people seeing how amazing your little presence is.  You bring joy to anyone who sees you.  Sometimes I think we are jaded because of how much attention we get from strangers about you, but then again, I am your mama, and that means your are infallible to me.  [to my students, I just used a WOW word in real life, bam.]  We just know to not leave home without your bow, or the comments on how alert and tiny our little boy is will start flying!  I love your giggle when I kiss your neck and it tickles.  I love how loud I can get you to laugh when running around any room.  I love how many teeth you show off with every smile.  I love watching you figure out this whole language thing, and soon I know these babbles will turn into words.  I love how infatuated my students are with you, and how everyone notices your eyes.

Hey Everly, you are stinkin' awesome.  You are my favorite.  We are the luckiest.  

Happy Eleven Months Baby Girl!

The end.

happy ten months everly mae

Everly Mae.  You make each and every one of these crazy days oh so worth it.  I wish that today was an easier day.  I wish that is wasn't so long, or busy, or that my foot didn't hurt like crazy from teaching on linoleum floors in less than perfect shoes.  I said to you yesterday that today we were going to be lazy.  And well, that just didn't happen.  There are always baths to be had, and high chairs to clean, and laundry to ignore.  And even though it all seems like too much right in this very moment, you make it all better. 

Your toothy grin is now your favorite accessory, and I swear that smile of yours gets bigger every day.  You are now such a big girl that you can climb off not only the sofa by yourself, but also our bed.  You are quite careful and confident with each movement you make.  I love that your are bite sized, and that you have allowed me to feel like I have a baby for just a little longer than others.  I love that you laugh so often, and have kept your amazingly easy nature. 

And even when you woke your mama up at 3:30 this morning for no apparent reason, I still loved each moment I had to snuggle with you, and the moments when I sang you back to sleep [even though I woke up humming the tune to the Pirates of the Caribbean, but I guess that is all part of the job]. 

Finally, you have come through your first real injury like a champ, I wish your parents could say they fared as well with the whole event.  Your little right eye is back to normal, and all of our positive thoughts paid off with no long term damage or scar tissue.  We are blessed.

we love you Everly Mae

happy ten months

everly mae is nine months old

Nine months ago today I had you, my Everly.  Thinking of all of the wonderful ways you have grown and changed, the personality that you have becomes clearer each and every day.  This past week you have really started to feel like quite the little lady.  You laugh all of the time, and that smile of yours gets bigger and brighter with each passing day.  Now when you smile, that mouth full of teeth is such the opposite to your petite frame, you still seem far too young to have so many teeth, but they give you even more character.  Now you stand so tall and sturdy, and cruise around the coffee table, and use all of the chairs as your own personal walking devices.  You and Luna chase each other around the house, play with string together, and truly have become best buds.  I love the way you talk yourself to sleep, sometimes humming, other times, making quite the spectacle.  These little things are so uniquely you, and I love them all.  Now when we are eating you have already mastered shaking your head "no" when full, or not into whatever I'm feeding you.  You are playful, determined, and have brought so much joy to our entire family.  Strangers adore you, and there is always plenty to talk about when it comes to you my dear.  Clapping your little hands, giving hugs, and practically leaping into my arms after I'm done changing you, these are some of my favorite moments right now.  And by next month, the list will be added to and changed, and I'm so excited that I get to watch you grow, and call you my own. 

 

 Everly, thank you for all that you do.

We love you to pieces, understatement of the century.

Happy nine months Everly Mae!!!

[and that beautiful motel chair that is popping up in all of everly's photos lately are thanks to my amazing in-laws who got me a pair for graduation, and now make for the BEST photo spot too]

Everly Mae is eight months old!

Everyday, Everly, you seem to be getting so grown up.  You came out with personality, but lately, that personality seems to resemble a little girl, not a baby.  As I write this you are sleeping on my lap, and I know that I am so lucky every time you fall asleep this way.  You seem to need me a little less everyday when we sleep, and I'm so thankful you are finding your independence, but a little sad too.  Just yesterday you slept on your tummy in your great-gram's family room, all by yourself for the first time.  No swing, no ergo, no person.  Just you, and yes, it was a big deal for your mama.  My little Everly, you are talking up a storm, you think you can walk, and swim, and you will soon, and we are going to enjoy every single day of it as you find your way.

Saying I love you Everly is an extreme understatement.

You have turned me into a pretty sappy mama, and I'm ok with that.

Happy eight months Everly Mae!

everly mae is seven months old

everly mae

you make every day worth it

I was worried before I had you that I wouldn't have enough energy

after working all day to still love you to pieces

but that just isn't so

you energize me every day

your smile is contagious

and laugh is to die for

I love your newest trick of grabbing my face

and nuzzling into it

we are even getting pretty close to giving kisses

and I love every chin bite that I'm passing off as a big wet kiss

your silly faces are killing me

and the screams and squeals you let out while talking 

and watching your little butt wiggle as you crawl across the house

are all the things that make you a pretty amazing little girl

I cannot believe I have already been your mom for seven months

thanks for making this ride the best I've ever been on

love you, E

happy seven months everly mae!