17 months old

Ellie is 17 months old today...wow, how time flies! She is really growing up before our eyes. I feel a little sad about how quickly she's growing, but then I remember that we're going to go through this whole baby phase again in a few months. And, well, I'm not so sad anymore. :O) 

Hannah is really maturing too. Dare I say that she's getting "easier?" Of course a couple of weeks ago, we had a few struggles. However, since then, she really has seemed to listen better and be more compliant when asked. (I'm knocking on wood right now, by the way!) Interestingly, she's been going through a little jealous phase. A few times recently, if I'm holding/hugging/kissing Ellie, Hannah comes and seeks the same affection. Another example is actually from today. I looked at Ellie and said, "Hi, pretty girl!" and immediately Hannah exclaimed rather defensively, "I'm a pretty girl too!" Of course I agreed with her! I'm hoping she's passes this phase before baby boy comes, otherwise I'm going to have two very jealous little girls around here! 

I realize that it's a little funny that I just got done talking about how Ellie is growing up and then here she is with her pacifier in her mouth (it is usually reserved for bed). The truth is, she's still our little "baby" and she needs her "pipie" once in a while... :o)

Building a tower with Daddy! Hannah was so proud of their creation!

Below is the tower seconds later, (after the picture above) when Ellie decided to test out its durability! Oops!

Carrying her "bebe!"

Ellie's new favorite hideout! She even "kicked" Gabby out one day to crawl in...poor Gabs!

Can't get enough of those beautiful blue eyes..

Proud little one!

Little Girls

Hannah and I had a ball the other day putting almost every single hair clip she has in her hair at one time. She thought it was great...and EXTREMELY pretty. I'm nervous that she's going to expect me to do it this Thursday morning for school! Hmmmm, probably not...

The girls and I yesterday afternoon enjoying some crazy time on the chair! 

Ellie's Vocab

I wanted to document some of the words Ellie is saying right now for myself and to share with all of you. So, here they are:

Bye-bye - "baba" 

Hi

Uh-oh

No - "newwww" kind of drawn out...and it's a definite FAVORITE of hers!

Baby - "bebe"

Book - "buh"

Water - "wa wa"

Hannah - "Nana"

Ellie - "Eh-yee"

Mama

Dada

Gabby - "Gaaaaa"

Papa

Please - "pea"

She tries Grandma and Grandpa too...

*added on 1/14/08 - Hot

*added on 1/17/08 - Dog - "daw"

                                     Belly - "be-yee"

I think that's about it. It's amazing how much she is learning and how quickly she is changing, even day by day! Our baby is growing up! 

Oh the fun!

I think it's beginning to sink it how much our life is going to change with a little boy around here! Our girls are all girl....a few of the pictures below are prime examples! 

We've been enjoying the unusually warm weather here in the midwest and even got to take a walk on Monday (64 degrees!) without any coats on!!! (just don't tell Grandma Smith that :O)

Hannah had her first day back to school after the break was today and since she missed the last two days of school before Christmas (we were already in MI), she received her goodies today at the end of class. She came out of class with a little bag that had a few things that represented the gold, frankincense and myrrh that the three wise men gave Jesus after his birth. (I guess it was the lesson of the day, not from before Christmas.) She was explaining what they were to me and told me that the wise men gave them to the king. I said, "Yes, that's right!" And she went on to say, "Yeah, the king that lived in the castle." Hmmm, not quite....we'll keep working on that one. :O)

Ellie enjoying her new princess car she got for Christmas...hopefully baby boy with like it too one day! 

Ellie modeling Hannah's new dress. She liked it for a few minutes and then decided the sleeves were just a little too long for her liking. (Brian put this on her, by the way, while I was getting my hair done last night!)

A RARE sight...Hannah napping in the afternoon! This was the day after she had a sleep over with Peter at his house...they tuckered each other out! 

Hannah discovered the nail salon today! After picking Hannah up from school, I had to make a quick stop there with the girls (I've never taken them before) to have a short procedure done involving hot wax and my eye brows...Ouch! So, I thought it would be special to have them paint Hannah's nails while I was "busy." They were sooooo great and she LOVED every second of it! She picked out a cute pink color and the woman spruced her up a bit by adding adorable little white flowers! It was priceless to watch Hannah's face during and after her special treatment...I know she felt like such a "grown up!" It was great! And, not only did she love the paint job, but I think this might be the ticket to get her to stop biting her nails! 

Happy New Year!

Does this picture look familiar?

Hannah still loves her sister, even after 16  months!