22 months

How do we almost have a two year old???!!!???!!! Time is flying by so fast. I wish I could just freeze time for a bit and enjoy this stage. It is so fun, despite the occasional tantrum speed bumps.

This month you....

Know all of the letters of the alphabet except for M, N, W and V. You mix up M and W. You know them by site and try your best to say them in order.

Know almost all the animals A-Z in your Little People Zoo. The birds give you the most trouble. The other animals have come quite easy. We think it's funny you know animals like Yak and Iguana.

Know basic shapes: circle, square, star and triangle

Have mastered your complex shape sorter

Can draw an "H"when asked

Are beginning to correctly count things. You actually start with the number one now (vs every thing being two)

You are so much more verbal this month. Your sentences are growing and your communication is excellent.

Demonstrated to us that you know singular vs. plural. One morning you held up a single cup and said "cup" then you held up two cups and said "cups" Daddy and I both witnessed it and gave a big cheer for you!

Are inserting more words into the songs you know. Your favorites are still anything on the Music Class CD, Itsy Bitsy, If you're happy and you know it and Patty Cake

Your tantrums from last month, mostly sat on the sidelines this month. We've discovered the biggest triggers are: being hungry, being sleepy and going through transition/change. We've done our best to head them off and it seems to be working... so far!

Started gymnastics and you absolutely love it!!!! I even get a work out chasing you and helping you tumble. You LOVE hanging from the uneven bars. The instructor commented on how strong you are for your age.

Said goodbye to your sweet Gran. She was 94 years old and boy did she love you! She was one of your biggest fans. This is one of my favorites... Daddy introducing you to Gran for the first time.

Went to the beach and absolutely loved it! We couldn't keep you out of the water. You are a little tadpole!

Went to the Children's Museum with Momma and Katie.

Continue to enjoy activities with our Mom's Club, including a fun Farmer's Market where you enjoyed sampling new foods

Discovered Mommy's make-up :)

Ate your first Happy Meal from McD's- chicken nuggets, apple slices, fries and milk

Can officially wear your hair in piggy tails! This makes your mom extremely happy!!

Got car sick for the first time. You were fussy on our way to AL. Daddy and I thought it was just because we'd just driven 7 hours the previous day and you just weren't having it a second day. Not so. We were trying to ignore you and then heard your sweet voice saying "it's ok, it's ok." I turned around just in time to see you projectile vomit, not once, but three times. You were 100% car sick. A trait you picked up from your Mom... sorry about that!

Things you love this month: coloring, stickers, golf, playing in the water, chalk, bubbles, music, gymnastics, Mickey Mouse, Super Why, Mrs. Rhonda and Keagan, and books.

Litchfield 2012

We took our annual Hubbard family beach trip to Litchfield over the 4th of July. Based on our time at the pool and lake this summer, we figured you'd love the beach. We were right. You practically sprinted to the water before I could get your cover up and shoes off.  You were a joy to watch. Your little face lit up and nothing could wipe that sweet smile away.

Our days at the beach were jam-packed with sun, sand castles (which were promptly smashed), walks, and waves. You required constant supervision on the beach. We couldn't turn our heads for a moment. When we did (literally to grab a bottle of sunscreen), we'd turn to see your little feet taking you to the waves. Occasionally, you'd grab our hands to come with you, but little miss independent wanted to do it all by herself.

Most of your days were spent sitting, lying, and splashing in the waves.  Most days resulted in tears when it was time to go in for lunch and a nap.

The large waves didn't bother you a bit. They could even knock you down and you would giggle!

You thought it was fun to lie down and let the waves roll over you.

Back to shore you go!

Time with family was a real treat.

Giggles with Grandaddy!

Love from Aunt Susie

Shell searching with Cousin Max

Story time with Uncle Bob

Sandcastles with Cousin Megan

Sharing chips with Uncle Bill

July 4th

It's independence day!

21 months

Finally getting around to posting this. SO sorry! June was a blur.

Dear Hannah,

You are 21 months old. I can't believe two is just around the corner! This month has been interesting and you've tested us in many ways. You are little miss independent and you are FEARLESS! In early blog posts, I referred to you as serious and stoic. It once took a lot for us to get a smile out of you and get you to laugh. Now, quite the opposite is true. You are quite the comedian and you are personality plus. We've had to leave you with quite a number of new folks this month and upon return to pick you up, we hear phrases like "she kept us laughing the entire time," "she's such a character," "you have your hands full with this one," and "she loves to dance and move around" just to name a few.

This month you:

• are little miss independent. You have to do everything yourself and get terribly upset when we help out. In fact, you spent 30 minutes trying to put on your shoes one day. You got them on by yourself, but got upset when I went to buckle them. Oh my... fun times ahead. You have two bull headed parents, so this shouldn't shock us. 
• know about 75-80% of your A,B,C's by sight (but cannot say them in order yet) 
• are fearless! I should say cautiously fearless, you assess the situation before jumping in head first :) 
• are quite the tadpole. You love the water and have no fear when it comes to swimming. In fact, you will "swim" from daddy to me and back in the pool without us holding on to you. We bought you a "puddle jumper" life vest and you like it much better than your infant life jacket. You were doing so well floating on your tummy and kicking, that daddy and I started pushing you back and forth between us. You did great! and even cried when it was time to get out of the pool. You love it! 
• willingly jump off the side of the pool into our arms and laugh the entire time, even if your face gets wet. 
• will hang and swing from the bar above the slide before sliding down. You are so proud of yourself for doing this!
• had a bout of tantrums. To your defense, you'd just been with your grandparents for a week and probably had a tough time adjusting back to life at home. Regardless, it was a long week and I pretty much had wine every night to calm my nerves :) I am proud to say, you're doing much better these days and after some great advice from friends, so am I. 
• are about ready for potty training. You are showing a strong interest and even tell me when you have a "poopy" and that you need to be "change now."
• Favorite phrases:
• "gof ball"
• "I funny"
• "bess ew"
• "roll tide"
• "turn off"
• "come right back"
• "hi dada"
• "no, peese"
• are obsessed with the opening song to "The Music Class" and promptly say "cass" every time we get in the car. We've listened to it up to an hour at a time to keep you happy and calm on long car rides. 
• can sing many of the words to your favorite songs without prompt!
• love being around other children, especially those that are a few years older than you.
• rarely have a problem being dropped off in a day care setting (nursery, gym, etc)
• have traveled all over for daddy's summer regional meetings
• spent a full week at grandmommy and grandaddy's while mommy and daddy were in CA. All of us did better than expected :)
• are constantly on the go. You. Do. Not. Stop. 
• still love books... among your favorites this month: "Piggies," "The Care Bears ABC's," "The Care Bears Counting Book," "Goodnight Moon," and of course "Pout Pout Fish."
• are becoming a pickier eater. We are sticking to what the pediatrician said and hope it works for us! Your favorite foods include: yogurt, cheese, hummus, chicken, broccoli, potatoes, fish sticks, pop pop (pirates bootie), gold fish, "boosies" blueberries, "banay" bananas, and apples. To our surprise, you don't care for pizza, hot dogs, or pasta of any kind. 
• quite fond of: your pacies, mickey mouse, stickers, coloring, chalk, anything outside, swinging, balls, building blocks, rocks, playing golf (you have your own little golf set), and reading.
• you met a horse for the first time and loved it! you weren't afraid of him at all. The staff even helped you feed the horse an apple.