Stella 14 Months

It's getting harder and harder to keep up with these posts. Stella turned 14 months old almost 2 weeks ago but better now than never if I'm going to try to keep up.

SO cute!!

Walking out to the car by herself. 

Election day playground fun 

always the center of attention 

So teeny and cute in her dresses!

Babywearing 

She LOVES her Togee

Passed out 

Not so sure of the snow 

Thanksgiving crazies!

So many teeth now

Snoozing and cuddling with her doggie she picked for her birthday 

Christmas pajamas

Big world, little girl 

Getting a smooch from her friend Connor 

Decorating the tree

Little Stella,

You are such a little wild woman. You're in constant motion, even running now to keep up with your big sisters. You say so much and jibber jabber almost non-stop throughout the day. You are repeating and using quite a few words and we can now add pop pop, diaper, poop, sock, sweater, frog, Elmo, Elsa, Olaf, meow, kitty, baa, and I'm back to your repertoire of words. You will try to imitate a lot of words and animal sounds. This past month you nearly doubled the number of teeth you had and went from 4 to 7. Needless to say, sleep wasn't the best. You've also been sick a lot and had a pretty bad cold with lots of coughing. Preschool means your sisters brings home lots of germs. This month you learned how to climb. On to the coffee table to stand up, on to the side table next to the couch, into your box Grandpa Scott made you, on to child sized tables, etc. If I don't watch you at nearly every moment I find you often getting yourself into trouble. It's amazing the difference being mobile (and having big sisters) makes. Your sisters definitely weren't getting into this much trouble at this age. You're getting a little pickier with your eating and just LOVE to feed Togee our dog. She knows it and parks herself right next to your highchair any chance she gets. We've starting having to put her out for meals or you feed her everything. You are still sensitive to dairy and don't do well if you have too much. You still take meds for your reflux as well. We also can't feed the dogs unless you're in your highchair or bed these days since you don't leave them alone. While Togee will still eat that way, I think it scares Pepper away and then he doesn't end up eating. You've had a few good nights of sleep where you were only up once to eat and went right back to sleep, but that's not the norm. I'm hopeful we'll get better sleep when you're not teething or sick. You are beyond exhausting to your mama since you're in constant motion. You're always getting into things or causing trouble, but it's a good thing you're so darn cute. You are the teeniest little walker/runner around. I love putting you in dresses and tights since you're so great at walking. I didn't get to do that with your sisters until they were quite a bit older. You are such an outgoing little girl and are friendly to most people you meet. You weren't super sure of Santa and cried once Clara did, but usually you're great with strangers. I've started leaving you at the childcare spot at the YMCA and you've done really well minus one time where they had to come get me because you were crying. I'm hoping it was just an off day. Most days you only nap once but some days you fall asleep in the morning for a short nap in the car. When you don't take a morning nap you usually have a great 2-3 hour afternoon nap. It's so nice when you sleep at the same time as your sisters and give your mama a break. You're getting so smart and understand so much. You'll point to body parts or family members when asked. I can't believe how big and smart you're getting and how fast time is flying by. I just love you so much and can't imagine our family without you in it. You add so much and are such a little firecracker! I love you my wild child.

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. 

Clara at Three Years Old

Clara,

You really have the biggest heart. You're so thoughtful and always asking about others. You try to cheer Stella up when she's crying, "It's okay baby." You are also incredibly sensitive. I think since you love so big you hurt big too. You're really my sensitive little girl. You get upset easily and have a hard time calming down right away. Just recently we went to a Halloween party and you got scared by a boy dressed up. You were so upset and it really took a while for you to calm down. You're not loving this transition to colder weather and having to wear more clothes. You insist on taking of your jacket or sweatshirt in the car, even when it's really cold. I feel the same way about changing seasons and clothing so understand, I just wish I could reason with you a little more or help you understand it's just a part of life. You still love monkeys and reading books. I'm pretty sure you own at least 20 different stuffed monkeys by now. You'll sit for just about any story. When your grandma Becky came home with a chapter book from the library you were so excited. I'm pretty sure you would have sat through the whole thing if we were willing to read it to you. You've recently decided you like watching the movie Frozen although you went through a period where you really liked Paw Patrol. You even got a Paw Patrol Build a Bear when we went. I think being able to hear better increased your interest in the tv. Prior, you had very little interest. You are such a smart girl, and even if you sister does most of the talking for both of you I know you have all of those words and phrases too. Lucy probably talks 85% of the time when you're together. I know you're happy to let her do it so that's just your dynamic that works for you two. This fall you got tubes in your ears. Your daddy and I were so amazed by the results. Almost immediately your speech cleared up and you started talking in much longer phrases. You're so laid back most of the time and let Lucy boss you around. Occasionally you stand up to her and then she better look out! You go with her ideas most of the time but then have moments where you push back, and hard. Getting tubes definitely brought out a more feisty side of you I didn't even know existed. You got newfound confidence on the playground and with your speech. It's so fun to see you come out of your shell a little. You and Lucy have such a close friendship. You love doing laps around the house, pushing your doll strollers together, playing pretend, and fighting over things. You are the best of friends and worst of enemies sometimes. You and Lucy often spend a half hour or more talking before bed at night. I love eavesdropping on your little conversations. They often make me laugh and smile. You are such a Daddy's girl and have really got him wrapped around your little finger. You aren't always the best behaved for him, but I think that's because you know you get away with more around him. You love coloring, drawing, painting and play doh. Anything creative has your name all over it. You drew your first portrait of Daddy (of course) recently. I still consider you pretty emotionally unstable at times. You just get so upset so easily. I'm not sure if it's frustration, sensory stuff, or that you're just so emotional. Most times I can explain things to you. Addressing your feelings really does make a difference (I hear you that you're sad you didn't get a turn, etc) but there are times we aren't able to do that and you really fall apart. I always feel terrible when you get that upset, but sometimes nothing can calm you down. You just need a little time and space in order to calm down. You're not super picky about what you wear and are so nice to go along with what Lucy wants most days. You rarely put up a fight about what you are wearing. You've recently decided you love the color lime green along with purple. You got lime green moccs for your birthday and were so excited. You also love your lime green dress. Keeping it stain free is seriously a labor of love. You hair is so dark and curly. You really look so much like your daddy did at this age. When I see you two together you look like his little clone. You're not great about letting me do your hair and won't leave anything in it. I finally got you to let me use curl cream so at least it's not a crazy mess all the time. Crazy hair don't care is a phrase we say to you often. You have this one curl that grows right in the middle of your forehead. Your grandparents call it your "loose screw" and say this is what turns you into a wackadoo. You are taller and weigh more than Lucy by about an inch and 2 pounds. You're still a pretty picky eater than loves her carbs. You are getting better about trying things and decided over the summer you loved chicken. Eating meat was a big deal for you. I'm proud of you for trying more and being willing to try a "no thank you bite" most times. You love preschool and going. You are always in such a great mood when I pick you up and tell me what you did that day. You are such a great helper and really think keeping things picked up is important. You don't like messes unless they're on you while eating and then you don't seem to notice. I'm so proud of the little girl you're becoming.

What's your name? Clara

How old are you? Free (three)

When is your birthday? September fird (third)

How old is Mama? Six Mama

What's your favorite color? Lime green and purple mommy

What's your favorite food? ummm chicken mama

Who is your best friend? Lucy and Stella

What's your favorite song? Sunshine

What's your favorite animal? Monkey and owl 

What makes you scared? ...(started crying)

What makes you happy? Games and Stella

Where is your favorite place to go? School

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