21 months

Another month gone and almost another year. Greta has had a busy month and her vocabulary and intelligence I feel has grown immensely.

Her top 10

1. Finally got 2 more teeth

2. Knows her colors 

3. Learned to tolerate Santa Clause

4. Loves to sing and dance

5. Loves to jump. Even got to jump and her own trampoline at grandma's. 

6. Still loves food but hasn't been eating as much.

7. Enjoys playing with miller and sitting on him. 

8. Got to ride a pony for the first time.

9. Repeats everything I say. Word for word. 

10. Is very independent and stubborn as can be. 

Through it all, love her more each day.

Nightmares

Pretty sure Greta was having bad dreams last night. About 2 she woke up crying "mommy! Need baby Greta." (Which is one of her dolls she takes to school with her). 

I find baby greta... Give it to her and she wants to be picked up. So I pick her up and rock her back to sleep. Try to lay her down and she screams. So I decide to just keep rocking her. She continues to twitch and whine in her sleep. Then we fall asleep in the chair. 

About 5 she decided she want to sleep on the couch which is where I've been taking her when she wakes up so she doesn't wake up Ryan. Then we watch George and try to fall asleep but don't. Long day for all! 

Hope tonight is better. 

Camera disaster

At my work Christmas party I realized my camera was broke. After searching and searching, I found out there is only one Nikon authorized camera repair shop in Michigan and it's about an hour from home. 

So last Monday I take it in (plus my old one that broke in Alaska. Good news they can fix both. Bad news takes about 2 weeks, so after Christmas. What??? 

So I decide to find a cheaper point and shoot to hold me over. I research. I read reviews. I find the one. I get it 3 days later. And try and try to get it to take good pictures and it just doesn't. Not sure if it's me. But I've tried every setting, read the manual and still crappy pictures. 

Well today I got the best Christmas gift... My cameras are ready!!! Just in time for Christmas! Yeah!!!

New teeth

Finally getting some more teeth! The second on bottom right pooled through on Friday and tonight I felt the second one on the top left. 

Look out now!

Santa Take 2

We attempted to see Santa at Bronner's but Greta wouldn't even go in the same room.  But much to my surprise at Day Care's Holiday party... Greta said she wanted to see him!  What??  No way!  I didn't push it, but at the party, we went into the room where Santa was and luckily there was only 1 other family in there.  So we started by coloring a picture.  Then Santa asked if she wanted to sit on his lap. And she said no.  So Santa went to her but very calmly and talked with her.  She even took a candy cane from him and let him hug her!  Holy progress!!

Making Christmas Cookies

I had a brilliant idea this morning after church that it would be a lot of fun to make Christmas cookies with Greta.  And actually it turned out pretty good.

Greta helped me dump everything into the mixer.  Only one mishap when she put her hand in... luckily her spoon she was trying to help mix with got caught and prevents major damage.  But nonetheless, didn't get cookie making off to a good start.

Then we let the dough chill while we went to have lunch and do a little shopping.  When we got back I thought she'd take a nice long nap and I'd have all the cookies baked and the frosting ready.  Well only 30 minutes later, I wasn't ready but up she was.  Luckily I did get 3 dozen baked and then let her role and cut out the rest (and no these cookies didn't make it into the cookie pans).

Then I made the frosting and we went to work.  I gave Greta a cookie with just green frosting and told her to put the sprinkles on it.  And sprinkles she did!  I then told her she could eat it.  Biggest smile I think I've ever seen!  She then proceeded to lick.  Add more sprinkles.  Lick.  Add more sprinkles.  Bite. And repeat.

She then wanted to eat every cookie we decorated but I quickly stopped that.  She did a good job decorating them and adding sprinkles.  They are very colorful and yummy.  Just wait, you'll all be getting some!  But I did separate the ones I will make Ryan and I eat and the other safe for family.  

Great memories made today!  

Away in a manger

Every night i sing away in a manger... Usually several times as its a favorite of Greta's right now. 

Well today I had a proud mommy moment. As I finished getting ready for church and Ryan put Greta's shoes on I heard the sweetest thing ever... "Away in a manger no bed. Little Jesus lay down head. Stars sky. "

Best feeling ever that's she 1) listening and 2) remembering. 

Peed on the potty

Greta had a big day at day care... She peed on the potty two times!!! Yeah!! Getting closer to potty training! Can't wait!

Christmas Tree Adventure

So this year we decided to try a new Christmas tree farm... And it was a lot fun. Tree wasn't so cheap. But Greta got to ride a pony! And despite the look in her face, loved it. Kept saying ride horse. Round. Round. 

Then greta and Ryan held a bunny. She was so sweet and cute with it. And the rest of the day, it was "hold bunny. White bunny."

Well we forgot the stroller, but luckily for us, you could drive around and look at the trees. Eventually after driving after for 10 minutes and getting a little frustrated (well I was)... We found a section of nice big trees. And the one I picked out actually wasn't too tall, which it usually is.

So Greta  and Ryan went to work cutting it down. With a hand saw... I say that because several had chain saws... Really?? The truck is like 6 inches. 

We also kept with tradition and ate at Applebee's. Odd tradition but we started it and have to stick with it now. 

Finally starting to feel like Christmas. 

Eczema

I knew almost since Greta was born she'd have excema... And she does. And the first time it's infected :-( Poor baby! She's got 2 bad spots on her back and some on her legs starting to look bad.  So off to the doctor we went - now antibiotics and steroid cream. Hope it clears up soon!

Jingle bells and snowmen

The cutest thing... Greta is learning jingle jingle bells. I'm going to try and record it but she just keeps singing ... Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell. I just have to laugh. Makes me remember all the cute singing videos my sister Mary would make of the kids. 

She also has a small obsession with singing Hallmark snowman. She likes to push the buttons and then dance. 

There's nothing sweeter!

Successful work trip

A work trip is never fun since it usually means I have to leave Greta. But this last trip was very successful!! Lots of new leads, lots of press coverage, lots of tweets and retweets. Plus my picture made pull-up banner. 

Pretty cool, huh?!?

20 months

A little late I know... But it's been a crazy week. Every day that goes by I say I cant believe how much she's changed. And I know she's not really a baby anymore... Especially since she told my mom that she's a toddler. Lol

Her top 10

1. Loves music and singing. The one day she combined - Jesus loves me, rain, rain go away and the wheels on the bus. Quite the mash up!

2. Can really jump! Gets both feet off the ground and all. Actually has some ups!

3. Got kicked out of day care for biting

4. Is quite a dancer. Words can't describe her moves.

5. Can count to 12.

6. Can recognize her G

7. Had her first sleep over at Grandma's

8. Can put her coat on. Super Greta style!

9. Loves the snow but not being cold.

10. Locked herself in the pickup.. But was smart enough to unlock herself! 

I love my sweet, stubborn, sassy toddler!