If Juliet could have her way, she would wear her rain boots (rain or shine) and a certain pair of leggings everyday. When we get dressed, she always picks and puts on the same pair. Of course I let her wear them on some days, but I just can't give in to wearing the same pair of pants everyday. (I even tried hiding them under all her other pants, but it didn't work.) And when we go downstairs to put our shoes on, I always have to say a couple of times what shoe we are going to wear to avoid the we-do-not-need-rain-boots-today discussion. Again I could be a nice mommy and let her wear whatever shoes her heart desires, but I figure this is a battle I will eventually lose so until then I still get to dress my sweet little baby.

Yesterday we met some friends at the Folklife Festival and since we were a little early we (I) decided to start the morning off right with an Elephant Ear. We are really careful about the food we feed Juliet but I figured you only go to fairs once in a while, so J had her first taste of fried cinnamon sugar delight. And of course she loved it.

Juliet attends preschool once a week, and it took almost an entire school year for her to spark some interest in the sensory table (mainly because she doesn't like to get her hands dirty). But once she started feeling more comfortable with it, I couldn't wait to get a sand and water table. We haven't even bought the sand yet, but she already loves the water side. She spent the first 30 minutes just scooping the water out and onto the deck. Now we just need some more summer weather!

Juliet is in the let's draw on the table, hardwood floors, couch, chair, face, hands, and mama phase. And in case you need to know how to get ballpoint pen out of a couch, rubbing alcohol works wonders.

I have a feeling these two little cousins are going to be the best of friends. And they already like to wear each others shoes and clothes.

Juliet is a little helper and she takes such good care of her little animals and baby dolls. When she needs a diaper change, she likes to also wipe and change one of her babies. During dinner she insists on giving a few bites to her dolls and animals that are nearby. She takes them for rides in her doll stroller, puts socks on their feet, pretends to nap with them, and shares her paci. It is so endearing to watch and I am crossing my fingers that this sweetness carries over to her baby brother in just a few short months.

Tractor time at the zoo.

Juliet is so happy to have her daddy back in town and a bench to sit on.We must have sat on every single seat we came across while at the zoo this morning. (And of course J claimed every bench by calling out, "Mine!" to anyone strolling by us.) It made for a very slow walk, but I figured what was the hurry. When else do you get to stop and really look at every leaf, flower, and unturned stone. I love J's curiosity and knowing it is just the simplest things in life that maker her so happy.

We are lucky to have a ton of parks right around our neighborhood, and one of our favorites, Alki, was fairly deserted yesterday aftenoon. J had the sand area to herself most of the time. However, if she heard or saw someone near us, she would shriek, "Mine, mine, mine." She seems to be in the 'mine' phase again. At one point she started hording all the shovels and telling me, "Mine, mine, mine!" when she saw another child 20 feet away (not even heading in our direction mind you). Luckily, if I have learned anything along this journey is that it all passes so quickly. The good and the bad, so I can only smile at her 'mine' phase because before long it will only be a memory.

Chalk, chalk, chalk. This one lives for chalk.

Hanging with the girls after preschool last week. Oh, and I just noticed, one sweet little boy.

What this picture does not show is my daughter cracking herself and one of the girls up for no reason other than just to laugh.

Safari girl (picture taken at the zoo by my Mom)

Our new favorite activity is chalk drawing. Every time we open the garage to go to the car, J has to run out to the driveway to see her chalk work. She points to each one until we say what it is. And when it rains, she puts her hands up in the air and looks around so sadly wondering what happened to all our artwork.

You never know what you are going to get during our monthly photos.

When we pull up to the library Juliet's squeals in delight, and when we leave she of course insists on carry her book bag out all by herself. It usually only contains two or three books while I walk behind with the heavy load, but if she could, she would carry them all.

We are only a few months from Juliet's second birthday, and I am not sure where the time has gone! And luckily we are in an easy stage again because J is not fighting sleep and she is a little more independent now.

I think my favorite way to describe this stage is as a helper. Juliet knows what drawers and shelves her pants, shirts, pajamas, socks, towels, and washcloths all go. She loves to sweep when I sweep, wipe counters when I wipe, brush her teeth and hair when I do, get out and throw away her diapers, and put away the grocerys, her toys and books. Of course it isn't always exactly 'helping,' but I love her enthusiasm.

J still spends much of her time babbling in her own language, rather than using actual words, but she understands more and more each day. Much to our delight and surprise she can point out colors, shapes and the letters J, M, and D. Her attention span with books is much longer now. Where as we used to fly through pages, she now likes to really sit and look at all the little details.

Although we are nowhere near being potty trained, she does love to go on the potty a couple of times a day. I am not trying to rush this at all, so we are just taking her cues for now and letting her go at her own pace. She is so proud of herself and of course we love to see her so happy.

Happy 20 months, sweet girl!

19 months

18 months

17 months

16 months

15 months

14 months

13 months

The first 12

Juliet made herself a new little sitting area at the window this week. She was so proud of her spot and must have played there with her stacking dinosaurs for at least 20 minutes.