22 months!!

2 months until Samara turns 2!! I can't believe it...time to start planning a party!

This past month, Samara:

- is really working at speaking in sentences. Before she would string 2-3 words together but now it's much more...however, I'm having a tough time understanding all the words. When it was just 2-3 words I had no problem. It goes something like this: Mutter mutter DADDY mutter COAT mutter MOMMY'S mutter OUTSIDE mutter TRUCK LOUD mutter THERE IT IS.

- is exploring her emotions...more specifically the anger part. She has been having some spectacular meltdowns lately if she doesn't get her way. It can be quite entertaining, depending on what kind of mood I'm in! I try to remember that she doesn't know how to handle all the overwhelming emotions she's feeling.

- is really into clothes. She goes through about 6 outfits a day...complete wardrobe changes including socks. She is really particular about what clothes she wears and will refuse certain items. She has taken to wearing one of two t-shirts to bed and I have to do my best to make sure they're clean and ready to go!

- has developed a love for hockey. Seriously. If you ask this girl if she wants to watch hockey, she will jump up and down shouting, "Hockey! Hockey! Hockey!"

Favorite things this past month:

- still with the dance parties. I should mention that dancing isn't really dancing anymore...it's listening to music loudly and running around the island as fast as possible.

- her bears. She has 2 favorites. One is a little straggly thing we got from Shawn's work at Christmas time. The other is a cute build-a-bear from her Poppy and Mimi. She sleeps with them both and when you greet her in the morning, leave the house without her, kiss her goodnight, etc, you must also kiss each bear.

- jumping off chairs into your arms, jumping off stairs into your arms, jumping off couches into your arms, etc.

- making herself dizzy by spinning over and over and then walking so she falls over.

Things I never want to forget:

- if she farts, she pumps her arm and says, "toot toot!"...I will not take credit for teaching her that! I try for "excuse me" but obviously she gets a better reaction with the first. I'm sure she will love that I posted this when she's about 14!

- if you make a strange noise (while stretching) or stub your toe and howl in pain, she worriedly asks, "okay? okay?". So sweet.

- how she will run across the entire length of the house with her arms wide open, shouting, "HUG HUG HUG" and then plow you over with the biggest and best hugs. She even did this at the library yesterday. Melt my heart!