Envious

So, I have a not-so-secret envy of all of my friends, and even women I don't know who are crafty. I aspire to be crafty, but don't know how to sew, knit, quilt, or really make anything other than cookies from scratch! I do hope to someday tap into this crafty side, sewing, creating, and knitting in all of my free time! (Right, when is that again?) But seriously, one of my girlfriend's has time to sew while being a mama of a 4-year-old and a 6-month-old. The other found time to sew her kids a tent for the holidays (again with two kids in tow), and while I bought everyone's holiday gifts this year, Juli made Sena a beautiful apron, and Jessica made this gorgeous quilt. We love it. And, I'm envious.. of all of these amazing women!

Keystone

For the holidays we packed up and went up to Keystone for the weekend. We had such a wonderful time trying to stay warm, but did manage to go snowshoeing, enjoyed delicious meals and of course the time with Grandma and Grandpa Montana!

Papa & Sena

This entire display was made out of chocolate- presents, tree, and even the train.

What a diva. Talking on her "hello" and looking in her purse.

Resting with Grandpa.

In front of the chocolate display with mama.

We took this picture because of the ice sleigh, but we situated our selves in

such a way you can't even see it.

Grandpa, papa and Sena.
First snowshoe trip. Asleep the entire time. (Note hat pressed against papa's neck.)

Bundled up and ready to go..

Letter Month 21

Dear Sena,

This past month has been a whirlwind of activity from making, buying and wrapping gifts to eating and unwrapping them. I am looking forward to the day when you want to unwrap your own gifts; it just somehow feels a little strange to unwrap the very gifts I wrapped for you myself.

Your favorite holiday gifts this year (not in any order): your table from Grandma & Grandpa Williams, your kitchen from Santa, and your purse from Grandma & Grandpa Montana. (I told you it would stick.) When you first opened the purse I figured you'd know what to do with the phone and keys, but you grabbed the lipstick and immediately started putting it on your lips. (Thank goodness there wasn't really anything in there.) I don't wear lipstick, and really no other women you know do. So, how did you know how to put it on so well???

You love sorting your groceries and making mama and papa coffee and tea. You also like to load our plates up with fruits and vegetables, serving us, until you find some other toy that takes your attention away.

But your biggest accomplishments this month are not your affinity for cleaning your kitchen or you natural talent at lipstick application; again, like the last few months, it is your vocabulary. You quickly remind me of the fact that you're much closer to two than you are two one with the amount of words—and the comprehension—you have. And, you're spelling to boot. You can spell your name as well as papa, mama, Elmo, and babu (your pink bear). And you're trying to spell grandma everyday. Sentences are common place, and you can easily repeat nearly everything we say, so our guards are officially up on our language usage as well. You've also started using the filler of "um," which means either your papa or me uses it on a frequent enough basis that you've not only learned the word but also the usage.

Me: Sena, what would you like for snack?

You: "Ummm." Pause. "Cheese! Bunny Crackers! No eggs."

Me: Okay. So, cheese and crackers?

You: Eggs and milk. Please.

Me: ???

Sena, your papa and I are so amazed at everything that you do and how you comprehend the world around you. We love seeing what you gravitate toward, and what you're not so interested in learning... and are so excited to see what the New Year has to offer. Aside from our fear of the terrible twos.. but you'll skip that stage, right?

You: Umm..

Love,

mama

Letter Month 20

Dear Sena,

As I'm writing this, you're moving all of your toys, animals, puzzle pieces, a fishing pole, and more to the stairs and having everything "sit". I'm waiting for you to start moving furniture. And, while I'm totally amazed at your focus and desire to rearrange things, I'm also not all that surprised. I am your mother afterall.

This month I am constantly surprised at your developments. You can now string five words together in relatively coherent sentences, often repeating whatever it is we just said. (I.E. yesterday, you said, "thank you mama". I followed with "your welcome Sena." To which you replied:

"Thank you mama, welcome Sena"

When we were in Phoenix a few weeks ago, you were playing with some toys and lost your attention. Papa said to you, "did you lose your attention?" And, you started looking under the tables and couch, saying "tension? tension?" I wish I had been there to see it, but ahh, I was getting a massage that left me with hot oil in my eye...

This picture is in Arizona.

You started art classes this month and seem to really enjoy the painting. I have to laugh at the classes, however, because I feel like most of it is Mommy Craft hour, and I almost should come home and say to Steven, "look what I made today!"

Grandma & Grandpa came to visit, and prior to their visit Grandma Sheree told you they were coming from Montana.. somehow that really stuck, and now they are referred to as Grandma Montana & Grandpa Montana. My mother, loving Montana as much as she loves us I'm pretty sure, is thrilled with her new name and is probably hoping it will stick. I guess you'll get to decide.

Ahh, and your second Thanksgiving. Last year we had 11 adults and four kiddos under the age of 1. This year, you were the only child- and we had 8 adults- and somehow it was more stressful for me. Maybe it was because I forgot that I only had one oven to bake 2 pies, rolls, and a casserole in?? And, then on top of it- you didn't like anything on the menu. I think you had Mexican for dinner that night, which has become your new go-to staple.

We've had a pretty warm winter thus far, and although you're not a fan of standing in the white stuff, you do enjoy the Snowmen that result from a good snow. You loved peeking through grandpa & grandma's window, staring at the neighbor's snowman. But, I also think you like to peek through because you have a crush on the two boys across the street. On the days where you get to see them you spend the rest of the afternoon pretending you're saying hi to them-- waving your arms, smiling all coy-like, and saying "Hi, Josh.. Hi Oah" (Oah is for Noah. Not sure why you don't say Noah since we're very certain you know how to say NO.)

Last note... for my little actress.. you were giving out your thank-you's the other morning. Thank you mama, thank you papa, thank you Elmo, thank you Baboo, thank you blankie... Papa finally asked, "Are you an actress?" And you smiled and said, "uh-huh. Actress."

So, congrats on your Oscar Sena.. I love you so much.

love,

mama

I love this photo!

Beach Dreams

So, this was not technically your first visit to the beach. You went when you were about 4 months old with Jen, Bob & Danny. (Before Gavin was born.) But, last time you spent the entire time napping on mama, so this time was the first time you actually saw the ocean.. You liked watching the water from a distance, but not so much up close. But, you LOVED the sand...

Letter Month Nineteen

Dear Sena,
You're officially closer to two than you are to one, and you're making it abundantly clear to everyone, too.

This month you've continued to learn new words each day, although "no" is still quite a favorite. And, you're stringing together more words as well. Today is October 28th and we officially are having a snow day. As in, it has been snowing since 7 p.m. last night and we have over 7 inches outside already. At first you seemed like you liked the snow. "Snow, outside?" And, then I bundled you up and took you to swimming and after swimming, when we stepped back outside into the snow- and it blew into your face- you said, "All done, snow. All done, snow." Sorry, honey, but this is one that I just don't have any control over.

This was just before she decided she didn't like the snow.

This month we went and visited mama's family in California. You got to see great grandpa Sam, Great Aunt Bonnie & Uncle Allan (and cousins Rachel, Todd, and Ilana), and Great Aunt Linda. I think you were overwhelmed, but you seemed to really take to Ilana who had the job of reading you Elmo on the way back from the airport. (Afterward, Ilana said to me, "I'm pretty sure I read that book like 11 times" to which I responded, "welcome to my world."

After our visit with the family, we drove up the coast to Ventura to see Mackenzie, Erin & Brent. You met them in January in New York, when Mac was a hundred paces ahead of you-- but now you're on the same level.. and apparently love each other. I nearly fell to pieces many times watching you two interact. You'd be best friends, holding hands and kissing, and then you'd be taking toys while Brent & papa tried to figure out how to teach you the big life lesson of sharing. Good luck daddies! We had so much fun with them though. I really wish we lived closer so we could share in a lot more of these moments, including watching papa, Brent, you and Mac sing "Ring Around the Rosey" dozens of time to your utter amusement, or when you and Mac created a chorus of singing to the moon one evening as Erin and I drove home from dinner. I thought Erin and I were going to die of laughter listening to you two in the backseat... "moon".. "moon"... "moon". Mac's "moon" was a bit more high pitched and soft, whereas yours was a bit more emphatic. Like "moon," where the ^*& is it?? It was hard leaving after watching you and Mackenzie bond so quickly, but we're hoping to lure the Kraus's out to Colorado this winter.

Don't they just look like they're going to be trouble someday?

Just resting. Really.

You also got to meet Mike & Brooks and their son Jack- who really is a spitting image of his papa. And, Brooks has another one on the way. (We think they might be crazy, but who's telling?)

Mike & Jack

The three proud papas.

You saw Sesame Street for the first time while we were visiting the Kraus's as well. I say "saw" because you didn't really watch. You saw Elmo on the screen and got really excited, but your face quickly fell when Elmo "left". You kept demanding that he come back, but when he didn't, you lost your interest.

You LOVE reading. Most of the day you spend handing me books, saying "reap" and "lap", and we read, and read, and read. We read for about 10 minutes each time you go on the potty, before all of your naps, before you eat.. you name it. You're my little bookworm (and I'm not so secretly quite proud!)

And, this month we bought you a membership to the Children's Museum. I'm not sure what part you love the most- the ball that floats, the play kitchen, or the "ticket" counter..

Tickets please.

Honey everyday you amaze me. I really can't believe how quickly you're learning everything, how much you take in each day, and how much your personality is developing. I love what makes you light up. I love making you laugh. You honestly bring so much joy to your papa and me.

love you,
mama

a few more pictures from september...

Some time with papa.. I just love these.



And, drumroll... her first "real" haircut.