'cause she's got personality

Oh the joys of a 16 month old! 

Hannah's fixations vary week by week as she grows and explores.  Lately, she wants to carry three things around the house with her at all times:  1.  the hello kitty purse (usually filled with wheels or legos stolen from brother's room)  2.  an animated stuffed dog (with dead batteries)  3. "Lulu the letter spinning spider" book (a Leap frog book that she REFUSES to actually put in the leap pad).   She points to the spider and then tries to do the motions from the Itsy Bitsy Spider - her favorite song by far.

She spends 90% of all awake hours looking at books or begging for a book to be read.  There are constantly books ALL OVER THE FLOOR.  I try to rotate them out from the bookshelf in her room.

She would love to also carry around "Big Baby" (name that movie), but alas, this doll is heavy and hard to tote.  Hannah can manage to get her in a head lock and drag her around a little.  Unfortunately, Hannah also has decided that I need to help take care of Big Baby.  If I sit in a chair, she brings her to me to hold.  She gives the doll her blankie and milk and wants me to feed her and kiss her.  And of course we have to read to "Big Baby".

Hannah has discovered hiding from mommy and has a few favorite spots.  She especially loves to hide when she sees me get my keys and it's time to take or pickup brother from school.  Not such a fun game for mommy!

She gets in spells where she will pat the top of her head and whine for a hair bow if it has fallen out.  Such a 180 degree flip from 2 months ago!

Hannah has learned to stand up for herself against the pesky big brother.  When he tries to smother her with love or take away one of her toys she SQUAWKS so loudly and swats her hands at him.  He's learning.  :)

Welcome Emerson Rose!!

We are so thrilled to have a new niece (and cousin) - Emerson Rose!!  She was born on September 11th, which would have been my grandmother's birthday.  I am so anxious to get to Atlanta and hold this precious little one!  :)  Congratulations Aunt Amanda and Uncle Tyson!!  She is beautiful!  And we know Elle will be the perfect big sister.

Hannah's Hand-Me-Downs

We are not above some hand-me-downs in this house!  Half of Jackson's toys were his father's toys.  Jackson's bedroom furniture was mine as a teenager. Jackson is enjoying seeing his old toys coming down from the attic for little sister to enjoy.  I even hear that Santa gets some good deals from consignment shopping.

But my favorite hand-me-down is this little blue rocking chair.  Hannah absolutely loves it!  She climbs in and out of it a million times a day.  Books are "read" and babies are rocked daily in that chair. 

That chair is very special to me. It is over 130 years old. It was my great-great uncle's when he was a boy. He passed it down to my grandfather when he was little. Then, my father then used it as a boy. My brother and I also rocked away in it. Jackson used it, and now it is Hannah's turn. Like most things built that long ago, it is sturdy and strong. It has had several coats of paint in various colors over the years, and I love that you can see those colors from where it has been naturally "distressed".

Lord-willing, it will make it for generations to come.

That tongue sticking out of her mouth in concentration is a hand-me-down from Granddaddy Pete!

The bookcase was built by my grandfather and was used in their living room, then passed to me when I was little, then it was Jackson's, and now has a home in Hannah's room.  Tons of books on the shelf were Mike's as a child.  (By the way, Jackson dressed himself that day...oh boy!)

She's learning to "say cheese".  :)

15 (and a half) month digits

We went to our 15 month check up yesterday. 

She now weighs 22lbs 2 ounces (45%).
She is 32 1/4" long (93%).

Still long and lean!  Makes an interesting match for clothes shopping.

And, we have been told that she will need braces.  Thank you, thumb-sucking!  She mostly sucks her thumb on the left side of her mouth.  The top teeth there are in, but not descending fully.  Guess we have plenty advance notice to start saving up. 

fun in the 'hood

Hannah and her little buddy, Rees, love playing together in the evenings.  (Jackson too!)  They collect rocks, go on wagon rides, ride their little cars, run through bubbles from the bubble machine, and play with his dog Lola.

Labor Day

We've had some gorgeous weather lately and I am beside myself with excitement for fall.  Jack was a little under the weather, but we couldn't resist a little family time at the park today!  We went to feed the ducks, but between the crowds and the older children throwing boulders in the lake, the ducks were no where to be found.  We settled for a little hike and playing at the playground.  Hannah thinks she is big stuff now that she can climb and slide.

My girly-girl.

Yes, she plays with balls, cars, rocks, any legos she can get her hands on, sticks, and has no problem getting dirty whatsoever.  But, she can also be ALL GIRL!  She loves her little sequin Hello Kitty purse from Aunt Shannon!  She has carried it around the house all morning.  And, finally she has allowed me to put bows in her hair... just at the perfect time too because her hair has entered that funky pre-mullet-and-all-in-her-eyes stage.

date with my boy

Mommy has had a little Jackson-withdrawal since he started school.  I miss my boy!!  Last Friday I surprised him and joined him (and his class) for lunch.  It was so fun to meet some of the friends he has shared about for the last month.  Kindergartners are just so stinkin' cute!   

We have been wanting to see Toy Story 3 since June, but the movie has either been sold out when we've gone or with our hectic schedule it just never has worked out.  Finally, this weekend we had time to go!  Jackson loves the Toy Story movies and really enjoyed the 3D features and 3D glasses!