Laura is 1 Year + 11 Months!

Height:

Weight: 22 lbs. according to unofficial bathroom scale?





Likes: Dora & Fresh Beat Band (All 10 episodes that they show OVER and OVER...Mike & I practically danced with excitement when we saw a commercial last night - ALL NEW episodes next week!), "nack" time, being "nakey nakey," playing with her "hoop" in the basement, babies, blueberries, "ice keem," reading books, playing with her "princess blocks"

Dislikes: Daddy dancing (gives a firm command to "Top it, Daddy!"), leaving Carla's at the end of the day, putting caps back on markers, when mom wants to put a "pretty" in her hair

Any new tricks? Laura really likes singing more and more, will sing along with me if I start a song, or can fill in the rhyming words of a song. Counting is getting a little better, she's added "11,12" to the end of her "8,9,10" sequence, and today I did hear her count #'s 1-5. She can run and kick a ball without losing control of it and throws a ball pretty straight. She identifies several letters and a few numbers when she sees them on clothing. And, she's learning to take her pants off! (One step closer to potty training?)

*Picture is from daycare.

Laura meets Baby William

Tonight we went over to Mom's friend's house for a visit with Baby William and family. Laura LOVES babies and talks constantly about the daycare babies "Ah-nee-nah-na" (Adriana) and Kenton, so I knew William would be a big hit.

Without any prompting, Laura requested to "hod" (hold) him, and since he is the third baby in the family, his mama was not worried about saying yes to Laura (Not so nervous the 3rd time around...)! She thought this was pretty awesome, liked to pat him and give him his plug. As she was doing this, she says to me, "Brother." I said, "Yes, William is Sadie and Madeline's brother." Then she says, "Yo-wah brother."

Don't go getting any ideas, Laura!

Bagooz Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

We have some serious love for the bagooz (Laura) around our house. Nearly every night after we put her down to bed, Dad looks at me and says, "I love that bagooz." I think that is one of the surprising things about becoming a parent, how intensely you love your kid. It makes me understand why parents sometimes are a little bit ridiculous about their kids from a school standpoint - you think they are the most beautiful, funny, intelligent, wonderful child in the world, and it's really hard for someone to convince you to see it any other way.

I love pretty much everything about Laura right now. Listening to her verbalize her thoughts and needs is absolutely fascinating. Watching her sit with a book on her lap and "read" a story melts my book-loving heart. Her energy and enthusiasm for her interests, whether coloring, running around, or watching a favorite show is so fun to watch and be a part of. It all keeps getting better as she gets older! I just love the bagooz. - Mama B

I can't add much more to what Mom stated above - it is a perfect summary. I am very proud that she is a 'good girl.' Sure, she is a little defensive about her belongings but she gives hugs and kisses, says "please" and "thank you," picks up her toys, and doesn't push or hit others. With that said, I am no idiot, I know this won't always be true. I am happy that she has developed a good base of goodness.

One of my favorite times of the day is when I come home from work and Laura runs to the door so excited to see me. I remember my mom telling me stories about when I did that to my dad. Another thing I love about the Bagooz is that she is soaking up what we say and do. The other night I watched her read a book and repeated the same words over and over in a satisfying and 'I get it' tone, "ok, ok, ok" and "one more page."

THE FUNNIEST THING right now is when I annoy or (sorry for my language) piss her off, she walks to the kitchen and says, "daddy kitchen." This her way of saying, "leave." In fact, tonight I annoyed her so much she told me to go upstairs. Apparently, the kitchen wasn't far enough. -Dad