Christmas Parade and Santa

We ventured out into the cold to watch the Christmas Parade. We were pretty impressed with the size of the parade! Willow especially enjoyed the inflatables and horses. She would say "bye bye" to her favorites as they passed us. We didn't quite make it through the whole parade, but maybe next year...

Later we put up our Christmas tree. Willow helped put on 3 ornaments. I didn't quite get the camera in time but here is her contribution...all on the same branch =)



We went to see Legendary Santa this afternoon. After calling her a HE last year, we figured we would eliminate that possibility with her red dress this year. We weren't quite expecting this, though:
After watching about 5 toddlers cry on Santa's lap, Willow figured he wasn't exactly a nice guy and followed suit. We asked if we had to pay ($20 for a screaming picture? I don't think so...) and she told us "no," then the other lady behind the counter slipped the picture to us as we walked out. I guess she figured they had it printed anyway...

Willow found these huge teddy bears in the same room and would have rather climbed up on his lap instead!

(even the monster in the book isn't as scary as Santa!!)

18th month

Here's an update from November, Willow's 18th month:

- Willow has started using her hand to motion for people to come. The first time was at Inflatable Palace when we got Chad to come back on the big inflatable with us. Willow looked back at Chad, who was the last one coming, and motioned for him to come. It was priceless. Since then she's done it to Alli asking her to come inside (she didn't listen) and did it all of Thanksgiving weekend with Gramma and Grampa in town. She would make a good shepherd because she easily got all 4 of us into her playroom by motioning for us. She'd even point to where she'd like us to sit on the carpet. It's hard not to oblige when she's so darn cute motioning for you to follow her.

- Communicating with Willow has become a lot easier. She's said a lot of new words this month, including Amen (love it!!), happy (my fav.), apple, pop, purple, "I love you" (not clear...yet!) booboo, yah, up, down, "Lo-lo" for "Willow," as well as attempts at numerous words from books that we ask her to repeat. She's now saying animal sounds for a cow, sheep, dog, cat, and lion/tiger/bear/"vicious giraffe."

- Willow has shown some interest in using the potty. She's very proud of herself when she does and will clap and say "yah" for herself. It's pretty sporadic but she did use it 4 times one day then 3 times the next day (then not at all for the next 5 days).

- We had our first parent-teacher conference at Willow's daycare. Ms. Frances had nothing but nice things to say about Willow. We were proud to hear how well she gets along with the other kids and how happy she is (apparently she's saving all of her meltdowns for at home!). For various reasons they have moved Willow into Ms. Libby's group starting this week, but she's adapted very well to the change.

- We've been impressed with Willow's fine motor control but were pretty shocked this month when she unlaced and laced part of Chris' shoe without being shown how.

- We haven't pushed drinking from a regular cup too much but since they've started practicing at school, we've started trying more at home too. One of Willow's daily notes from school mentioned that she would say "yah!" every time she drank from a cup without spilling. So cute!

- Willow is quite the helper around the house and generally does a good job of cleaning up or doing things that we ask. She's recently started helping with refilling Alli's food which is so, so cute!

- Willow's tooth count is now up to 16 with the addition of her two bottom canines this month!

I have received a few comments about how the monthly updates don't include pictures, so I've intentionally saved a couple for this post =)

My grandpa used to make wooden toys and furniture. He made this stool for me when I was a little girl. I can vividly remember using it to reach the bathroom sink at our house growing up!

It's the perfect size for Willow to stand on to reach the sink to wash her hands!

We bought this easel for Willow on her 1st birthday but felt like the stool was a little too tall for her at the time. While Willow doesn't sit still for long, it does fit her much better now!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Willow and I were able to meet the Murrays out for lunch last weekend and the girls enjoyed a little playtime in the play area at the mall. Afterwards they joined hands for a stroll and confidently walked around together while listening to the Salvation Army band play Christmas music.

We took advantage of the free member night at the botanical gardens to see their Christmas lights. The pictures don't quite do it justice.

We bundled Willow up and got to walk around with the Murrays for a little while (yes, this is the best picture I got of them).

Inside they had a model train display. Willow added the "choo-choo" sound effects as the trains rode by.

Not so sure about Santa, but at least you could tell she's a she!

Thanksgiving

Willow was thankful to spend Thanksgiving week with Gramma and Grampa. She enjoyed making cinnamon rolls with Gramma, being chased around the house by Grampa, lots of playing around the house, and a trip to Inflatable Palace (where Grampa had just as much fun as Willow!).

Willow says, "This is the biggest 'snack' I've ever had!"

Helping dada paint the last canary yellow wall in the house - yah!!

Inflatable Palace is fun for "kids" of all ages!

(this is a scream of joy, not fear)

Willow's getting better with saying animal noises. Here's her giraffe roaring (she'd been doing the lion right before the video)

We can add "pop" to the clear-list. (only "special bubbles" wait on the floor to be popped!)

Willow was a good helper assisting Gramma in making cinnamon rolls.

Happy

Willow is getting more and more words each day. Some are pretty clear (like mama, dada, no, more, Alli, apple) while others aren't yet. We now can add "happy" to the clear list! I love her sweet little voice saying it!

Willow Libby, you make your mom and dad very HAPPY!

Random Cuteness

Willow has quite a personality these days. It's hard to be around her and not smile!!

Fall Fun

We took advantage of another unusually warm fall Saturday and enjoyed the morning at the park with Willow's friend Mckenzie. There's a nice playground area and some farm animals to walk around and see. They had a great time together, as always!