Stella 13 Months

I wrote this post a month ago but never published it. She'll be 14 months old tomorrow!

I can't believe another month has passed since your birthday. Time is really passing so fast. You definitely aren't my little baby anymore and you so want to be a big girl like your sisters. You are so good at walking and I'm sure will be running any day now. You're so teeny to be walking and people comment on it all the time. You love doing spins and dancing too. You've also recently started to stomp your little feet and it's so cute. You're still only 15 pounds even though you eat so well. You're such a great eater and really love food. You often eat more than your sisters. I'm starting to see a little more pickiness, but you still eat pretty much anything. You love feeding the dogs and they love camping out below your high chair. You think it's great to have their attention so it's pretty win-win. You're imitating and chatting/jabbering non-stop. You have SO much to say! I don't remember your sisters doing so much jargon, especially at this age. You have such a huge personality and are so outgoing. You often walk up to people and will smile, chat, or stare at them. We've started giving you a sippy cup of milk lately and you love it. You don't have any issues with eating or drinking. You pretty much love it all. If your sisters are having a tea party or having snacks, you're happy to help yourself if they leave things at your level. You also like baby food and I buy a few jars a week. I try to give you at least one a day with dinner and usually lunch too. The GI Dr recommended it as a way to get more calories into you easier. Feeding yourself is hard work and not a lot often gets chewed up/swallowed by the end I'm sure. You chow the baby food right down. You love to beg from me when I'm eating my breakfast. Luckily you're not biting me any more while nursing. You aren't sleeping great and are often up 2-3 times a night. I wish you loved sleep as much as me. I don't even know what 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep would feel like anymore. You're still consistently napping twice a day thank goodness. You listen pretty well, but definitely have a mind of your own. You aren't shy about freaking out when we pull you away from something you want or take things away you aren't supposed to have. You also don't stick super close by or want to hold my hand when I let you walk places. Luckily you still like to be in your carrier, both the ring sling and Lillebaby. You even tolerate being on my back so I can carry you and push your sisters in the stroller. I'm so glad you like babywearing because your sisters never did. I can't believe how fast time is going and how fast my sweet baby is growing up.

Her poor fingernail that ended up falling off. 

1 year old checkup

Lead testing and shots stink :(

Family hike 

Halloween 

Halloween story time at the library. Stella was so excited to be at the big table with her sisters. 

Lucy at Three Years Old

Lucy,

If I could count the number of words you said each day I'm sure we'd all be amazed. You have so much to say and talk so much. There are days or afternoons when you wake up and just talk, talk talk. Your love for your baby sister Stella amazes me every day. You're so good at getting on her level and playing with her and you teach her so much. You are rarely jealous of her and are such a great big sister. You have so much energy and love doing things that are active. Swinging, laps around the house, sliding, running, hiking, and jumping are all your favorite things. One of your absolute favorite is "naked laps" where you run the circle of our house naked. Stella has started to join you for laps and your giggles are the greatest. When we go for hikes you want to walk the whole time or at least most of it. There was one hike where you literally jogged ahead of us. The other people on the trail were pretty impressed by you. You also love your sister Clara so much and are such good friends with her. You're always checking in with her, asking for her input on things or just asking her questions in general. You're concerned about her when you're not with her and will often ask where she is. You have a tendency to boss her around and tell her what to do, but luckily for you she usually goes along with it. You do about 85% of the talking between the two of you. You two are best buddies so I guess whatever dynamic you have is working out well for both of you. You're still a mama's girl and have times where you just want to snuggle and get my undivided attention. You're so sweet and loving and are such a great snuggler. You love playing with your baby dolls, doing art projects, painting, reading books, and playing "really fun games". You still complain in the car that your car seat is "too tight" from time to time and it drives me crazy! I wish you understood that it needs to be tight to keep you safe. Otherwise, I haven't seen a ton of three year old attitude from you yet. You'll get pouty when you don't get your way, but it rarely lasts too long. You're still a pro at sticking out that bottom lip. Your hair is finally getting longer and you have gorgeous curls at the ends. It's so long in the back and when it gets wet it goes pretty far down your back. Your hair is quite blonde and I'll be curious to see if it stays that way. You're still so tiny and only weight about 23 pounds. You love wearing dresses and will pout if you have to wear pants instead. It's pretty ridiculous! You've always loved the color pink but recently decided you also love teal. I think it started with the Little Mermaid, but Elsa from Frozen also loves Teal so you're sold. You love all things Princess and are such a girly girl. You love to get your hair done, dress up, get your nails painted, etc. You're a great dancer and love to twirl and spin. You've had such a great transition to preschool and hardly look back at me when I drop you off. You love to tell me about your day and always say dancing was your favorite part. You are so smart and I'm amazed at what you remember. Recently you've been asking a lot about whether we are going to go on vacation again. I guess you remember that vacation is pretty great. I don't blame you! I'm amazed at the little person you have become in the past year. You're so responsible and mature. You listen so well and behave most of the time. You love the movie Frozen and ask to watch it every day. We recently started a good job jar and you love contributing and helping pick up at night before we go upstairs in order to earn your "jewel". There have even been times when you just picked up the living room all on your own. You love singing and will sing along to familiar songs. You can sing "You are My Sunshine" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider" all by yourself and it's the sweetest thing ever. We laugh that you are a rule follower. You are quick to tattle on your sister or grandparents for not doing things the way we normally do. We joke we don't have to worry about you getting away with too much while with grandparents because you always report back to us. I can't believe how fast you're growing up and changing every day. Please stay little forever!

What's your name? Lucy Rose

How old are you? Free (three)

When is your birthday? September fird (third)

How old is mommy? ummm...four

What's your favorite color? Pink and teal

What's your favorite thing to eat? umm, sandwiches 

Who is your best friend? Mama and Daddy and Stella and Clara

What's your favorite song? Itsy Bitsy Spider

What's your favorite animal? Owl and monkeys

What's are you afraid of? Uh, monster at a party

What's your favorite thing to do? Games

Where is your favorite place to go? Playground

What do you want to be when you grow up? Ariel

11 Months Old

Stella,

I can't believe you're 11 months old already. Time is going so fast and it makes me so emotional to think about your first birthday. I can't believe it's been nearly a year since your birth. It's amazing to me how much you have grown and changed in this year. From a squishy little blob, to a walking and talking little girl who is full of personality and spunk. You started walking and taking a single step here and there a little before the start of the month, and then really put steps together the day after your turned eleven months old. You're saying words like doggy, uh-oh, and daddy all spontaneously and with intention. You follow simple directions some of the time, but are understanding so much. You want so badly to keep up with your sisters and will tag right along with most things they do. I'm pretty sure you're convinced you're their triplet. You've finally stopped putting everything into your mouth automatically and we can somewhat trust you in the sandbox. You love playing with the play kitchen and making a mess and have just started in and out type play. we saw the GI Dr about the potato vomiting incidents and he wasn't thrilled with your weight. He wanted me to push more pureed foods and try to add more fat to your diet. I swear, you eat just about anything and everything. I think it's your constant motion that burns so many calories. You love most foods but aren't super impressed by purees. You're finally napping more consistently and falling asleep without us having to rock you. Really pushing a "lovey" on you and encouraging you to snuggle that made a world of difference. Rather than rocking or nursing you to sleep, gently putting you down, and sneaking out of the room we are putting you down drowsy but awake and you generally roll over and snuggle your lovey before falling asleep. I wish you were sleeping through the night, but you still wake two times on average for milk. You're like Lucy in that you rarely wake in a smiley and good mood. You need some time to be grumpy and wake up. You've decided you will no longer keep headbands or bows on your head and rip them off immediately. You don't like to be told "no" or when your sisters take things away from you and you'll get very upset and cry. 

I just can't believe how soon you will be a one year old. You're definitely not my snuggly little baby any more and it makes your mama sad to see how fast you are growing. I can't wait to see all that you will do and see, but I wish it would happen at a slower rate. I think I'd keep you little forever if I could. I love you so big little girl!

Trashing her play kitchen. Always a favorite activity. 

Standing independently 

Waiting to see the pediatrician 

She looked in the mirror and said, "Teta"/Stella

Stuck in the trunk 

When your outfit matches your bed....

Sleeping with her "lovey"

Trying chocolate milk at the state fair 

So much love from her sisters