Two, ladies and gents

She's still a dainty little thing. She's hovered around 20 lbs since she was nine months old. She's getting taller though, and sometimes I don't know who it is I'm staring at when I see her long, toddler-sized body sprawled out in her crib. Every now and again, we get little glimpses of that "two" 'tude. And we've seen a few mini tantrums. But for the most part, she really is an easy-going, happy girl.

Scout's language has really taken off over the past month or so. Still working on putting words together, but it's just so fun to hear her mimic words. Some are crystal clear and some sound nothing like the word she intended, but she's improving every day. My favorite is when she says words "inside out", like "Pooker" for Cooper, "rossi" for sorry, etc.

She's always been very generous with"Please", "Thank You", and "I yoouu" (I love you).

Snuggles and giggles

Fabulous Fall

Farmstead Corn Maze & Pumpkin Festival

Exploring: Lake Lowell

Exploring: Boise Greenbelt

Exploring: Hulls Gulch, foothills

Daddy's favorite Cornhusker fan (then and now).

 Halloween

This cat likes to play in the puddles.

On our way to Boo at the Zoo.

Final days of Summer

At Camel's Back Park with cousin Finley.

Scout loves to accessorize. She went through a stage where she had to put on
several necklaces and bracelets first thing every morning.

Listening to the river.

These two. Always dishing the latest gossip.

Home Project

One day I just got the urge to update our bedroom. Unfortunately, the updates came to a halt after this one wall and the realization that we, in fact, don't have endless home makeover funds, but maybe someday I'll get my dream Stikwood wall, and if I'm really lucky, we might even get a bed at some point (after 11 years of marriage, our mattress is still plopped right on the ground).

All whining aside, I am happy with our one updated wall. We purchased this $40 dresser from a thrift store about 8 years ago, and it's a big, sturdy dresser so I didn't want to just get rid of it. So with a picture on my phone of the "Then" dresser, I made my way to Lowe's and got myself some Kilz primer, some paint (to match the trim in our house), and some classic hardware that both Eric and I could agree on. Eric and I both were surprised at how much this project changed the whole feel of the room. Much lighter and brighter. Success! Now, on to the next project!

Scout at 19 Months

Warning: This is one of those selfish Mommy posts...for my own journaling purposes so I can better remember this fun stage in Scout's rapidly changing life.

Scout's faves:

• Foods: Fruit & Veggie Melts, bananas, eggs
• Books: We're Going on a Bear Hunt, I Love You Through and Through, Karen Katz flap books
• Toys: No clear favorites. 
• At the playground: swings and slides...and throwing bark chips
• Random: She loves "cleaning" with my Swiffer duster & sweeper, broom, rags, etc.

New Tricks:

• Climbing up on everything, using her crazy flexible legs (ottoman, bed, couch, etc.)
• Attempting to dress herself
• Doodoo finger painting. Scout recently started digging for gold in her diaper. One morning we woke up to a crib and baby covered in poo poo graffiti. She also likes to undress and occasionally remove her diaper during the night. Thankfully, we've wised up and started putting her in onsies buttoned OVER her pants.

Communication:

• Scout only says about a dozen words right now - Mama, Dad, chitten/chicken, turtey/turkey, baa/bath, etc. 
• She's great at mimicking sounds - Arf arf, snort (way more authentic than "oink"), snoring, etc.
• She's generally a quiet girl, but she's starting to babble in her own little adorable language.
• For several months now she's used a handful of our own little signs for "milk", "hungry/eat", "all done", "tired", "bonk", etc. 

Recently:

• Scout took her SECOND flight last month, just short of 18 months (both to Arizona). I was nervous because she's a full-on toddler these days and is always on the move, but she handled it like a champ! She nestled right between Dad and Mom, and she was happy as can be for a good majority of the 2-hour flight (both ways).

Morning Routine:
First thing every morning, she gets to hang out in our room & master bath while Eric and I get ready. During that time, she (almost daily): pretends to brush her hair, pretends to apply blush to her sweet cheeks, pretends to paint her little piggies, puts on a funny Russian winter hat, puts on fuzzy fuchsia mittens and then smiles at herself, ever so proudly, in the full-length mirror.

Sleep Routine:
Scout wakes up around 8:00 a.m. and has a 1 to 2-hour nap after lunch. She goes to bed around 7:00 p.m.

Daytime Routine:
We try and have at least one adventure/outing a day, including: the park, the zoo, the lake, playdates, story time, ice cream, downtown strolls, walks along the river and in the foothills, etc.

Evening Routine:
Scout's happy, hyper time (everyone's favorite). This is when she likes to be chased around the house while laughing uncontrollably.

Picture Time
Now for photo evidence that Scout is changing far too quickly. But is still awfully cute in my humble opinion. :)

Playing piano with cousin Ava at Grandma & Grandpa Nelson's house in Arizona.

AZ Pool time! Comparing Scout, July 2013 to May 2014

If you can't tell, this girl LOVES the swings! (Scottsdale Train Park)

Homestead Trail #12 with Aunt Sheri and Cousin Finley.
During the hike we stumbled on 6 horses and hundreds of sheep!

Scout's orthopedic doctor "prescribed" that Scout wear high tops because her left ankle turns in.

Memorial Day 2014 - Visiting the grave of Cassie's father, all four grandparents, and a great aunt.

Memorial Day - Picnic at the park with baseball, etc.

 

Eagle Island State Park

Scout These Days

Today Scout is 16-months. As such, I thought I'd share some notable tid bits about this sweet girl.

FAVORITES
Favorite possessions: blanky and "Elephanté" (reserved exclusively for nap and bedtime)

Favorite toy: Mom's cell phone
Favorite word: Dad and Daddy
Favorite parent: Mom :)
Favorite food: turkey cold cuts, mandarins & red grapes
Favorite treat: Popsicle (sugar-free of course)
Favorite book: Peek-a-Moo
Favorite thing to watch: Baby Genius Nursery Rhymes
Favorite thing to do: Get chased around the house and tickled while diving into things and laughing hysterically
Favorite cheer-up/distraction song: Itsy Bitsy Spider, If You're Happy and You Know It, & Head-Shoulders-Knees-and-Toes

FIRSTS
First step: Dec 10th
First "climb": Dec 15th (You climbed on top of a diaper box.)
First ponytail: Dec 30th

First hair trim, by Mom: Dec 30th (I had to do something about that baby mullet, but it was a little frightening chasing you around the room with scissors. I just did the back.)

First pair of kicks: Jan 3

First official play date: Feb 12th (Your nice Aunt Tiffany provided finger painting and sugar cookie decorating, but you slept through most of it.)

First professional haircut (which necessitated first lollipop): Feb 15th

STATS
Weight: 18.3 lbs (15%)
Height: 30.5" (50%)
Head: I can't remember, but tiny... and oh so cute! :)

You've brought us joy and laughter every day of your life, and we can't wait to continue to watch you grow and learn.