Eighteen Months and Toddlin' Well

Lucy is now 21 months (18 months adjusted age). She doesn't look like a baby anymore--she is definitely a toddler! I have never really thought about how perfect the word toddler is for this stage.  Lucy really does toddle around the house all day.

 

Mark and I have loved seeing her become more independent during this stage. She doesn't cling to me as much anymore and instead waddles around the house searching for random household items to entertain her.  I see her carrying them around and sometimes have no idea where to find them after.  Like this remote for instance.  Mark and I searched our house far and wide and were ready to buy a new one because we were so frustrated that we couldn't find it.  Lo and behold, I was getting batteries out one day and found it on a shelf in our hallway closet.   She probably just wanted to join in on the fun since she sees me pick up the house everyday--if only it was fun to clean.

 

Her independence has also gone to a new level through her eating.  Here she is after feeding herself plenty of watermelon with her very own fork!  You can tell she is pretty satisfied.

Lucy babbles a lot more and says a couple of words too. Every time she says, "Mama" it is like music to my ears. I love it! Most of the time though, Lucy uses, "uh?" for practically anything she wants to tell us. I feel lucky she chooses a sweet little question voice when she wants something instead of a whine. If only Mark could ask me in a cute little way like that when he wants something.  Not that he whines but it just sounds more enticing to help after a little voice like that.

Lucy loves to cuddle--especially with something soft.   Favorites include Daddy...

Her Blankie...

Any stuffed animal but especially this puppy...

and these pants.  She got into my pajama drawer one day and the next thing I knew she was wearing my pajama pants draped around her neck.  Ever since then when she sees the drawer open she will go straight for the pants. It's funny to me that she loves these but even more funny that she wears them like its her precious mink fur.

When Lucy likes something she gives it a kisses and hugs.  It started with her stuffed animals but it now has become pretty much anything.  The other day I saw her carrying around the plastic toilet paper packaging she had gotten out of the garbage.  I couldn't figure out why she was kissing and hugging it until she showed me the Charmin Bear on it.   Another one of her favorites to kiss and hug is her squeaky shoes she got from Aunt Jenny.  I can't tell you how much joy she gets out of those babies. 

Like usual, now comes the shrine of pictures of Lucy. Enjoy!  (or skip if you're bored):)

I don't know what is with the funny faces she pulls sometimes. Out of the blue she gives me a crusty and I try and figure out how I wronged her.  If someone says hi to her she usually gives them a crusty too.  She is a funny little thing.

Along with her questioning "uh?", Lucy has become quite the pointer too.

We had a fun morning at the park one Saturday after an awesome garage sale.

Lucy's favorite part was going down the slide as you can tell.

What she really loves most is riding in a swing. We had to pry her out of this one.

She was the perfect little model one day at the beach.

And for the finale...my friend Heidi took this picture of Lucy.  Thank you Heidi.  I think it is so sweet! 

Beach Birthday Bash

 Mark started living his last year in the 20s on March 22nd! He turned 29!  It seems like we just celebrated his 28th birthday and already he is 29? Time flies faster and faster every year I swear!

Mark wanted to celebrate by having a BBQ at the beach with his dental friends like we had done a couple of years before.  I don't know how we lucked out so much last time because this time around we could barely even find a parking spot because of Spring Break! It was nuts!  We finally settled on a BBQ spot across the street and the fun began.  I don't know where our heads were that day because we didn't take any pictures of the BBQ with our friends.  At least we got one of the birthday boy! 

And of course, we didn't forget to take a million of Lucy like usual. We think she's pretty cute if you haven't noticed by now. :)  She just sat contently in the sand, feeling it run through her fingers.

Then she took a stroll with me out to the water. 

This is when the real excitement started for her. 

 

We played a little game where I lifted her up every time a wave rolled in. 

 

 

She screamed...

 

...and giggled over and over again.

I am sure she agrees with Mark and me that this was a pretty great birthday celebration. Happy 29th Birthday Mark!

Marching in March

Besides marching around with freedom, 

one of Lucy's favorite things is riding in a swing. 

 It is also one of my favorite things because I get to see these cute baby teeth grins.

 

Who would have known going to the park on a Friday night would be such a highlight to my weekend? 

February FHE

For FHE one Monday in February, we decided to take a stroll on the boardwalk at Hollywood Beach. 

 

We got there right as the sun was setting.  As usual, it was beautiful!

 

This trip to the beach was one of the first times it really sank in that our time in Fort Lauderdale was coming to an end.  I realized our beach visits were now numbered. It was the worst feeling.  I started thinking about how nice it was that it was February and we were strolling along the beach!

 

 Then I started thinking about all the wonderful things I am going to miss about Florida when we move--the beach, water, and sunsets being on top of that list.  I don't know what else to say--Florida has my heart. 

Checkin Out Arizona

Arizona was one of the spots we checked out to live after graduation.It had a lot of things going for it when we visited back in February like nice weather, farmer's markets, a temple, clean neighborhoods, parks, places to hike,

a street with my name on it,

 

and fun friends!  While Mark was interviewing, I spent the day with our friend Michele and her two cute kids, Bryce and Callie.  Lucy and I had so much fun with them while Mark was interviewing!  It would have definitely been a big bonus to be able to do that more often!

It turns out that the office wasn't quite ready to add another partner by the time Mark would be graduating.   Even though I think that we could have been happy in Arizona, part of me was a little relieved.  I just kept thinking about how much I missed Florida while I was there. It had palm trees and sunshine like Florida but it just wasn't the same.  Oh how I will miss Florida when we move!!!  How could anything top blue skies, sunshine, huge birds, clear turquoise water, beautiful sunsets, tons of things to do, and lots of greenery practically every day of the year?  I feel like I have been spoiled for four years straight! 

Lucy was super good during the trip. I wanted to add this picture of her sleeping in the airport because she looked so sweet all cuddled up in my sweater!  She is such an easy baby--so mellow and happy, always going with the flow.  I am so grateful to have such a little sweetheart.