you're sillier and sillier.

you DEFINITELY got the silly gene. we weren't sure for a long time, because you were such a serious baby. but it's quite clear now.

these pictures are from the other day. you were just playing in your room and found some accessories that you'd like to try. i like the hat on sideways. that is a nice touch! it's funny, because when you go and get something to put on, and you come out with it, you have this different look on your face, like your attitude has been transformed by your attire. i like it. i'm kind of hoping you don't turn into a fashionista, because i am one of the least fashionable people i know. i never really encouraged it in you, because i have been a little bit afraid of you becoming a girly girl and me not being able to relate to you on that level. you know what, though? i'm pretty sure now that no matter what you end up being like, i'll always think you're funny and sweet and lovely. you are precocious in very different ways than your big brother, and i think it's pretty neat how different but how equally cool a brother and sister can be.

you got two boo boos this week. i put some shoes on you for church that were too small, and no socks. i didn't have any idea until after church, when we saw the big raw spots on either side of your foot. i'm so sorry! now you have some big scabs there, which occasionally get snagged, and then your foot bleeds, and you get super scared and cry. and then on wednesday, you and bella were torturing Amy (the hamster), and she bit you. so, your finger was bleeding a little bit. on the way to church that night, you made up a song about how amy bit your finger and made it bleed. i'm glad it was not so traumatic that you couldn't turn it into a song almost immediately.

i have a feeling you'll continue to amuse and surprise us.

love, mom

Happy Valentine's Day!

a year ago today, you took your first steps. wow, it's been a while! time really does fly. you're talking more and more now, and you have a cute little silly voice that makes us laugh.

we've been trying to potty train, a bit, though i think we might have missed that window when it would have been easiest. several months ago, you wanted to use the potty a lot, but then you kind of stopped. we didn't push it, and we probably didn't encourage it enough then. anyway, the other day, you and i went to wal mart and bought a little frog potty and a bunch of stickers for you to have as rewards. star stickers for pee, and frog stickers for poop. and we walked to the underwear section and looked at the cool underwear they have, for when you get really super good at using the potty all the time and knowing when you need to go. you were so excited, you made up a little song on the way home, all about peeing and pooping on the ribbit potty and getting stickers. i think the excitement's worn off a bit, and you sometimes get mad when i ask if you need to try and potty. this is going to be tougher than i thought...

anyway, today is about valentines day! not about pooping on a ribbit potty. So!

we went to devil's den and had a picnic. daddy cooked burgers and hot dogs, and we ran around and played a little, until the wind got too chilly. it was a really nice day, though, and i can't wait until it warms up more. i hope to spend a lot of time there, introducing you and sam to the hiking trails.

i love you!

love, mom

You went to Disney World!

Well, we weren't sure what to expect, going on such a long trip. in the past, you haven't been the greatest traveler, but this time, you really did pretty well. you've now been to arkansas, oklahoma, missouri, illinois, indiana, tennessee, mississippi, alabama, georgia, and florida. that's 10 states, and you're only two. that's pretty good, i think!

we spent 7 days at disney world, and every day, you loved seeing all the new things you could see. it was fun to watch your face light up while you rode the rides, and to watch you take in all the scenery as we strolled past it.

you rode your first roller coaster, Goofy's Barnstormer, and the lady who seated us gave you a little card/certificate, to show you'd ridden your first coaster. you were just barely tall enough to ride it, but the nice man at the beginning of the ride let us in. you smiled and giggled through the whole thing, while other kids screamed and yelled. it was pretty cute.

the only thing you really seem to be scared of is heights. you whimper every time i put you up on a changing table, and you tried to claw my face off when i sat you on my shoulders. but on a ride, you're just fine. that's a lot like your mommy.

you got increasingly worn out as the week went on (we all did), and you threw some pretty good fits. but really, you did a lot better both in the parks and in the car than we expected. maybe we should give you more credit!

on the way home, you kept asking if we were going back to "Matchee Keenom" (Magic Kingdom). i bet we'll be back someday, and you'll be tall enough to ride everything, like we know you want to!

love, mom

You love to ride rides

you don't even mind waiting in line for them. here's you and sam waiting for the speedway ride.

and you and sam waiting for the train....

aaaand waiting for the bus... pretending to be dogs.

you loved Alladin's carpet ride.
and the jungle safari.

the "people mover" was a big hit. we rode it quite a bit.

you also loved It's a Small World. lots of great things to look at on that ride. i'm thinking of painting your room like that ride....

You also liked the shows.

I think you preferred the live shows to the 3-D ones. we couldn't actually ever get you to wear your glasses inside the 3-D ones. i'm sure at some point you started to wonder why all the movies were all blurry. maybe that's why muppets in 3-D got a thumbs down.

Here are some finer points of the trip.

as i said, you got more tired as the week wore on. especially days when we skipped naptime. is it too mean that i documented the fits? i hope not. we don't want to forget those :)

love, mom

Night Night

you liked to pretend to go to sleep on lots of rides, especially the people mover.

by the end of the day, it wasn't pretend anymore.