17 months..a little late! Oh, and the best summer ever!

Delaney Jane, you are 17 months old :)

Wow, what a summer! We have had so much fun together and I've cherished every second. I go back to work August 1 and I'm not looking forward to leaving you!! You are at such an awesome age. I feel like you have grown and changed so much in just a few short months. I wanted to document all the important things you have learned this summer, so here it goes...

You now know 9 of your letters(A,B,C,D,E,I,O,T, Y) a few colors, (Red, blue, purple), can help me count to 10, you know your name and can say all the names of family members. You LOVE animals, all kinds! You know most zoo animals & farm animals. The funniest thing you've said so far is what you call a horse. For some reason, you call a horse, ***hole..we have no idea why! You just say it so innocently!! On the flip side, you also say "I love you, Thank you, Please,&  Excuse me"(when you burp). You love Hank and Sadie and can say both of their names :) You love all over Hank ALL the time and you hug him and say "Oh, buddy.."

You know most of the foods you eat and can request them by name. I love how you say "avocado!" It's so cute :) You can feed yourself with a spoon and a fork pretty well, and you have started helping me when you get dressed(putting your arms and feet in). You try really hard to put your shoes on by yourself; you have no problem taking them off!! Your favorite things right now are Minnie Mouse, Sofia the First, Elmo & Baby Signing Time. You request each of these movies/things by name.  "Minnie, Fee, Elmo & Sign are what you call them.

 You love the theme song for Sofia and the Disney Junior song called "Be who you wanna be." You ask to play it and you sing "be..be..be." You can play all kinds of games on my phone and the iPad. You love the Wheels on  the Bus, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Ring around the Rosey! You choose ABC games the most on the iPad(this teacher is proud!!) Your favorite book right now is Goodnight Gorilla. You can help me read it by telling me all the animals and you point to the moon, balloon, keys, zoo etc.. You pick up on so much so quickly!

We have had a great time at gymnastics this summer. You are a natural! You love to sing the welcome and goodbye song :) You are good at following the teacher's directions and have mastered most skills they have asked you to try. You LOVE walking on the beam by yourself!! You can hang on the bars, do a forward and backward roll, climb through obstacle courses, swing on the rings, and jump on the spring board. It has definitely been well worth our time and money. I loved watching you interact with the other kids too.

 You have also learned a lot in motor skills. You can climb steps with a little assistance, you can climb up and go down a slide, you can do your roller coaster by yourself, ride your 4 wheeler, and you are so close to jumping. You keep trying it over and over again. You are very determined :) Everywhere we go you say hi to people and tell them your name "Laney!!" One funny thing you say all the time now is "Hey, mama." I think it's because that's what I say to your Gigi on the phone, but you also greet me that way, so it's so cute! I have people tell me all the time that you are so verbal and social. And you are still the happiest and smiliest baby their ever was :) Except I guess you aren't a baby anymore!!

We have definitely hit heads some this summer. I like that you are wanting independence and are strong willed...I know you will be such a hard worker! But, shew..it's a battle when you want something and I don't allow it. You do respond pretty well to discipline..we haven't had any major meltdowns!! You are very much a Mommy's girl, but we have left you a few times with Nana and you have done just fine :) We also finally put you in the nursery during church and Sunday School. You usually cry a little at first, but then  you are just fine. When I pick you up, you are always so happy and the teachers say you were great! I am so glad. I want you to love going to church and learning about Jesus.

We go to your 18 month checkup the middle of August, but we think you weigh about 21-22 pounds and are probably 31-32 inches tall. You have gotten a lot of teeth this summer! I think you are up to 8 or 9.  You are an okay eater, not really picky, but you don't eat a lot. You would drink milk all day long if I let you! You haven't been the best napper this summer, but you did cut out your morning nap and now just take an afternoon one. We have been putting you to bed around 9 this summer, but I know we will put you down earlier once school starts.

We are still amazed that God chose us to be your parents! You are an incredible miracle and we love you so much!