Month 23

Skylie,

Two days after you turned 23 months old, you became a big sister. Kaitlyn's arrival came one month sooner than expected, and I'd been a little worried how you'd handle the huge change. Thankfully you adore your little sister. You talk in the cutest "baby talk" to her, race to her aid whenever she cries, and are constantly wanting to "wrap" her in blankets and push her in the swing. Jealously doesn't seem in your demeanor at all, and I'm hoping that doesn't change.

While I'm really happy you have a sister to play with, I already miss the one-on-one time we had together. You don't seem to mind though, and I think you actually prefer hanging out with your sister over me. :)

One memorable moment this past month was when I took you to the library for the weekly movie. Some kids laid on the floor while others sat in chairs in the back. I sat in a chair anticipating that you'd sit on my lap and cuddle with me. No such luck. You wanted to be a big kid and sit all by yourself. You acted mesmerized by the movie, Tangled. When all the other kids laughed at cheesy funny parts, you joined in with your cheesy, fake laugh even though you had no idea what was so funny. You fell in love with the "Princess" movie, and so we rented it and let you watch it to your hearts content for a couple days after Kaitlyn's birth.

This month you also got to go to the Children's Museum with our friends Jaden, Dallin, and Patrice. You LOVED it, especially the trains, dinosaurs, Dora exhibit, and toddler play areas. The carousel, however, scared you. (The splash park I took you to also scared you. You have strange fears--lawnmowers, carousels, splash parks--but huge dogs, loud fireworks, and going headfirst into deep water doesn't phase you.)

It's been a month since you first experienced fireworks, but you still ask on a regular basis to see them again.

Daddy and I have spent a bit of time working on our yard this month. You loved to be Daddy's helper. Daddy, by the way, is your favorite person these days. You love playing with him, laughing with him, and helping him with anything. When he is home you almost always prefer him over me. I don't blame you one bit!

You also decorated sugar cookies for the first time and loved eating the frosting as much as anything.

At 23 months your:

• Favorite color: Blue (you now know all your colors)
• Favorite food: Otter pops; blueberries
• Favorite activities: Watching one of the movies below, playing with Kate and Brook at the pool, reading, and "helping" with everything
• Favorite movies: Tangled (you call it the "Princess" movie), a Berenstain Bears DVD we checked out from the library, and Dora (particularly the "Pablo's Flute" episode)
• Favorite songs: "If You're Happy and You Know It" "The ABC's", "Old McDonald", and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"
• Favorite obsessions: Blankets, anything "big", and lawnmowers (You're terrified of lawnmowers, but you talk about and point them out all the time.)

I love you so much, my not-so-little girl!

Love,
Mom