These boots are made for walking

mom's boots totally fit

No major updates here, just been settling in and enjoying fall time.  You know, watching football, raking (ok, playing in) leaves, wearing boots, etc.

I am getting so good at
washing my hands

No, before you wonder....I am not walking officially.  But really getting close.  As you can see, I rock this awesome walker that the Ludlows once again let us borrow.  I also stand a lot better on my own and take a few steps back and forth to mom and dad.  I think my record right now is 8 steps, but crawling is still definitely the way to go. I am still eating like a champ, pretty much anything and everything.  Amelia keeps trying to teach me how to sign "All Done", but that usually isn't the case...so she also taught me "more"...but the thing is, that is already my favorite word to say.  So I don't really have a need to sign it.  I guess mom and dad get sick of hearing that throughout dinnertime, so I could be nice and sign instead.  We will see.

UPDATE: Oh, 1 more thing.  I have overheard mom and dad talking a lot lately about how they have to break me of the nighttime bottle sooner rather than later.  Yet, they never did it...afraid of what I may do, I guess (yes, I have them trained well)....so I went ahead and let them know myself I was ready and refused the bottle the last few nights.  I have now decided I can be a big girl like Amelia and enjoy a few drinks from my sippy cup and watch some Mickey Mouse before bed or, fall asleep on dad's lap....whatever works!


I am progressing too...just in things like reading, writing.  Ok, I may not be reading in the conventional way, but I do like to read books to mom/dad after they read to me.  Mom says I just memorize, but whatever.  I can spell and write my name (although I need some help with the M).  Oh and I can finally ride my trike all by myself.

We actually haven't gone anywhere or had overnight visitors in the last 2 weeks... "what the..."  (yes, that is my new favorite phrase...don't worry, that is the whole statement...nothing bad).  Mom and dad have no idea where it came from.  Bets are on Nana.  Speaking of, they just got back from a trip to Italy...waiting to see what they brought back for me.  : ) Just kidding (another one of my fave phrases)!  We have skyped and I am glad they had fun.  I have also skyped with Elmo and got a tour of her new digs in AZ.  What?yeah, apparently it pays to be old - trips to Italy, homes in AZ....  I kidding..that funny.  Elmo is spending the month of Nov in the sunny state.  Her place looks super nice and it sounds like she is having lots of fun!  One day I will get to go visit, darn working parents!  We are hoping she likes it so we get another opportunity to visit in 2014.  It is not nearly as warm here, but it was in the 60s this weekend, so we did our best to get out and enjoy it.


Let's not forget we did have friends come over for some play time and a BBQ.  Dad can't complain about us girls wearing him out...as our friends the Bodenstabs have 3 boys!  Rennick -4 and Reynolds & Riggs (who are impossible to tell apart!) - 2.  The boys actually liked playing with our girl toys...and we tried to talk their parents into the bonuses of having a bouncy house in the basement!  Hopefully it won't be as long till we see them again!

cutest picture ever, right?

I guess the holidays are coming up, so we are starting to get the house ready.  Mom & dad decided to go the lazy route this year, so we went and bought a fake tree.  Mom is already talking about going back to the real thing next year....I don't care the lights are cool either way!  Time to get decorating.... Love you all, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so much (yes...I like to one up everyone on that one).  Of course, we all know Daddy loves me.  I tell mommy that all the time! Amelia OUT!

A video for everyones enjoyment!

Doing some sister bonding

Mom thinks it is cute that both of us found this to be the comfortable sitting position.  We are just little ladies!

Planes, Trains, & Automobiles

Heidi - 2013 and 2011 here

It has been quite a while since last posting, mainly because we had a week vacation in the mix.  I am sure I am going to forget most of what has happened, so hopefully the pictures will guide me and I'll just hodge podge it all together.  We will of course start with the most recent...Halloween!  Heidi recycled my old costume (mini who wore it best below) and since everyone said I was dressed like a "Heidi" last year....we stuck with the name theme and I got to dress like Amelia Earhart.  I have a book about her, but not going to lie....I just love it because I have my very own pink PLANE I get to fly.  Thanks to handy dad....it is awesome!  I raked in a ton of candy and lots of compliments.  Unfortunately, I still have to make deals with mom and dad at dinner and actually eat some fruit/veggies in order to get it.  Not cool.  In addition to today's festivities we also went to Avery & Mae's annual Halloween bash...and as in the past years...it did not disappoint!  It was fun to see everyone and their costumes and of course eat food!

The  party hosts the Davenport's as Peter Pan and the crew

We also had a lot of fun carving and painting pumpkins this year.  We especially like the chalkboard pumpkins.  Man dad is smart!



Hello!!

playing peek-a-boo

Backing up, Elmo came down for a visit before she headed off to her winter trip to Arizona...and she brought a bday present for me (oh, wait...Heidi), but we all know who takes over playing with it.  I'm getting use to getting my toys taken away from me, so I just relish the weekend mornings when I wake up before sleeping beauty and can have some alone playing time.  In fact, I have tried waking up especially early this week, but mom and dad don't agree that weekdays pre-dawn are the optimal playing time.  Just wait for next week and DST.  Haha! 


Speaking of birthdays, we also made a trip up North to Liberty to Davis' 1st bday party.  Now his mom knows how to throw a party.  It was monster themed and full of awesome.  Despite Elmo and mom's efforts, I ate only sugar.  There were cookies, cakes, and goodies galore!  I personally liked climbing his stairs.  There were only 5 or 6 compared to the mountain at our house (and carpet) so they were just my speed.  I guess he isn't climbing yet....but he is walking.  Funny how we are so different yet so close in age, huh?  I may just have given Elmo a taste of how much fun a car ride home with me can be.  She didn't seem overly amused.  Dad said he heard me as we were pulling into the driveway.  Proud moment. All in all, it was a fun time with Elmo as always though and  hope that she is enjoying the good retired life in the desert.  I am sure will be doing some skyping with her soon!

check out our new traveling bags.

I picked them out...and have a lot of
fun pulling mine and Heidis 

We also took a car trip where you ask?  Well first we went up to Omaha to stay in a hotel...and go to the zoo!  The zoo was awesome!  Mom & Dad said that is why they don't like taking me to the KC zoo, I get it now.  hard to compare.  The weather wasn't great, but that was OK as we checked out the Aquarium, the Desert Dome, and the Jungle.  They were all really cool.  Oh, did I mention that grandma and grandpa came down too?  So of course that made our time in Omaha that much more fun.  Per usual, I liked holding papas hand anywhere I could.  You see, we met there because after the zoo, dad and mom took grandma and papas car and they got in our ride.  So confusing!  Well they drove us up to spend a few days in Hartington with the whole family while mom & dad went and enjoyed some eating and laying time in Mexico.  I'm not going to lie, I did miss them and was so glad to see them when we got home.  But in between I had a blast with all the family.  We did a lot of playing.  Grandma had a super cool doll house that I loved playing with along with playing with my cousins, and even playing school with Rhonda, Gabby & Mallorie, went to a volleyball game, had a birthday party for Jack, made play dough....lots of fun was had.  Yeah, I was held a lot....which I like.  I also impressed people with all the food I can eat.  I may just eat more than my big sister.  I was instructed to not walk while mom was away, so I happily obliged.  They were all so nice to me, I even rewarded them on the road trip back down to KC for sleeping for 4 hours.  I would never do that for mom or dad, but they had to get some sort of reward for watching us right?! 






Heidi - 1 year old school pic

Some final updates on things I am doing:  Not walking yet, but I am getting better with walkers and have spent a few seconds at least standing on my own.  Now that mom is back from vacation and here to see it, I'm hoping she won't push me down!  I am told often how smart I am with blocks, puzzles, etc.  So much so that I have begun clapping for myself as soon as I do something.  Mom thinks that is pretty cool....especially since she never taught me to clap.  (I did learn some things while away!).  Dad was complaining about being a little extra cranky upon their return.  I am trying to be better, but life is tough!  

Amelia 3 Year old school pic

 

Yes, I can go from this. to this

in no time flat.
 
Ok, this is enough of a book until next time!  Amelia & Heidi OUT!

These were some mommy/girls picture fun before vacation.

Here are a few pics from mom and dad's trip...I guess to remind us that they have fun without us too!


beautiful view!
 

their fancy room....wait, I like hotels!



the boys didn't last long in dance lessons