April 30, 2015

let's play catch up...

shall we?

I recently dumped my memory card to gather all of April's photos and realized there is quite a few of our growing girl that I haven't shared.

While this blog serves many purposes, a sort of scrapbook for our family through the years and an outlet for mom, it's most important purpose is to share the most special memories and the everyday happenings with all of our friends and family.

so here she is.
I've been trying not to blink lately, because I swear that's how fast she is changing.

{some left over confetti filled eggs}
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{a topknot before bed that I can't get enough of}
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{castles & tea parties}
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April 28, 2015

Iowa

you'll have to excuse my brief blogging hiatus.
April got the best of us.
Lauren came down with her first cold,
which required a trip to the doctor.
Thankfully it was just a little virus and we were all clear to travel to Iowa,
which lead to packing and lots of planning for traveling with a toddler.

While Lauren has her fair share of airline miles,
flying with a toddler is a whole different strategy.
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Thankfully our bag of tricks worked and Lauren did terrific.
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We flew in to Kansas City and stopped by to see Matt's grandmothers.

April 6, 2015

Easter

The eggs were dyed.
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The bunny came.
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M&M's were sampled for the first time.
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before, during, and after the egg hunt.
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Brunch was enjoyed.
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Books were read,
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chalk was opened,
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dolls were hugged, peeps were a served as a snack, dogs were chased, bunny prints were washed away by the rain,
and the sugar meltdowns were dealt with.

Perfect. Easter.



April 2, 2015

eighteen

Half-birthday.

At this point, I am starting to believe all the people that have warned us about how fast it goes.

It does not seem like a year ago that I was sitting with a baby, thinking how it couldn't be possible that she was a whole six months old.

That,

coupled with Lauren being at an age where she is literally changing day to day,

Yep.
It's going fast.

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At eighteen months, Lauren...

... is still busy. She likes to run fast and move often.

... loves her puzzles, blocks & legos, books, and babies. She is BIG into the dolls right now, we take them for walks, in the car and grocery store, and tend to play with them on our hip, making sure they get a loving pat every once and a while.

... has said good-bye to her 'binkie' {pacifier}.

... does animal sounds as a new talent. Although we struggle with cat. She goes straight into her favorite "kitty song" from Toddler Time at the library.

... is beginning imaginative play. The dolls get loved, the cake batter gets mixed, the dishes get washed. So fun.

... has began to show an interest in the potty chair. Mom and Dad have no idea what they are doing, but we are following her lead. So far it has become part of our bath time/pajama routine and she has a rather high success rate. Her love of books really helps with this process.

... shows love through high fives. It's her thing. A high five request sounds like "hiy". That's how Dad and I exchange high fives too.

... is showing glimpses of having a mind of her own. We are beginning to see our share of 'fits' or 'meltdowns' and the other day she was adamant about wearing a certain pair of tennis shoes that weren't really working with her outfit. If you know me, you know that was a hard one for me. But I can't argue with a girl who has her own option about footwear.