Lots of men in her life

Millie is starting to distinguish between certain family members. To make it confusing, there are a lot of Papa's in her life.
There's Papa and Nana (Ben and Cinda), Pops and Mops (Tom and Shirley), Papaw and Mimi (Mike and Ellen), Pappy and Gigi (Mike and Virginia), and Papa Stone (Stoney).
But the other day, I asked Millie who was home next door? And she said, "Pappy...and then started to say "Nana" but stopped and said Gigi." So she is remembering who goes with who.

Millie is talking more and more

Millie has really been saying a lot more words lately, and saying them clearly. I'll be reading her a book and she'll be saying what each thing is in the book.

Some words that she is saying right now: Bus, Mouse, Truck, Cold, Hot, Cat, Dog, Bubbles, Mess, Milk, Babies....and my mind has gone blank as I type this.

She is also distinguishing between boy and girl. We look at books and she points out boy or girl. And does the same when we are out and about. She's pretty much got it figured out.

Also wanted to record that she is loving Bob the Builder books. We got a lot of the books from Aunt Lexi and cousin Ryan and she loves to read the books. And she even says "Bob." There are a few books that stay in regular rotation; Goodnight Moon, The Going to Bed Book, Clap Your Hands, Baby and Bunny, and more.

"Momma, I made a mess!"

Yesterday afternoon, Millie was supposed to be resting in her bed (preferably sleeping, but I'll take resting too) and as I was unloading the dishwasher I hear, coming out of her bedroom, "Momma. Momma. Momma. Momma," screaming to the top of her lungs. So I finally went in and found her "mess." Yes, she definitely made a mess. She had taken her diaper off and then peed in the bed and wanted to show me her "mess." I explained that we DO NOT pee in the bed and then changed her diaper. Thankfully she didn't poop. But I told her that maybe it was time that we start really potty-training. I think, if she is telling me that her diaper is wet and taking her diaper off and peeing, that maybe she is ready. What do you think?

Just a neat photo

altered

original

I played around with this photo yesterday and wanted to share.

New Outfit

Being mischevious - who me?

Running outside

Just a cute one...

Playing in the toy box

Thinking about climbing into the toy box

Just wanted to share some pictures of Millie's new outfit (thanks to Nana and Papa). These were taken on Sunday; she wore it to church. It's a 2T - can you believe that she is wearing clothes that big? My baby is growing up.

Millie eats chili

Last night, Jacade was nice enough to remember to put chili in the crockpot yesterday afternoon. So when I got home last night, I didn't have to cook!!!! But I was wondering what Millie might eat - would she possibly eat the chili? Well, I took a chance and guess what, SHE ATE IT! I guess it was the beans - black, pinto and red kidney beans. But I am not complaining. And she ate some Progresso Lentil Soup Sunday night. She loves her beans!

Millie learns a new trick

Millie learned this morning that she could stand on her potty chair (it doubles as a step-stool) and turn on the water and play! I took some pictures to document this day! And a side note, doesn't the hair clip look so cute? It didn't stay in her hair; it was cute while it lasted.

Fairy Slippers

For Christmas this past year, Mawt Maw gave Millie some Fairy Slippers. Millie hasn't been very interested in them but last weekend, I managed to get her to put them on and wear them for a little while. So needless to say, I had to get a picture to prove to Mawt Maw that she really was wearing them. And she was having some grapes in her kitchen.

More outside pictures

Tormenting the dog

Last week, we went outside to play for a few minutes and Millie decided that she would torture Bella. So she brought out the popper and carried it up the stairs to where Bella was and tried to "get" Bella with the popper. She thought it was funny; Bella did not.

Down the yellow brick road....

On Saturday night, Millie and I drove to Jackson to the Rufus Adams Auditorium to see the Butts County Community Theatre production of the Wizard of Oz. Bonita's (Jacade's cousin) daughter, Sara, was in the play in two different parts.

We arrived early and found our seats. Millie and I then walked around until the play started. We walked up and down the stairs, found the water fountain and took several sips. Looked at the pictures in the lobby and Millie quickly recognized Sara and said her name.

The play started and the opening scene was of the tornado and Millie got a little nervous but then she was fine. She managed to sit through the entire play. Luckily there was an intermission and we walked around again. I took some snacks and some juice to keep her occupied and she did well. She got sleepy at the very end - but it was past her bedtime.

After the play was over, we saw Sara for a minute. Aunt Barbara had given Sara some flowers and Millie wanted one. So Bonita gave Millie a little carnation bud and what was so sweet was that once Millie got the flower, she wanted one for mommy too! Sweet girl.

She fell asleep on the way home and got to bed late, but I'm still glad that we went. It was good to expose her to the arts.

Millie learns a new sign

Over the weekend, I taught Millie a new sign. I don't know if it's certainly an American Sign Language sign but nonetheless, she knows it now.

If you ask Millie how to praise God, she raises both of her hands and smiles. Isn't that how we all should be? Praising God with a smile on our face, with a child-like spirit and attitude!

And now, every time we sit down to eat, we all hold hands so we can say the blessing. It's sweet.

Excited to see Mommy!

Yesterday was my first day (not officially) at my new office in Jonesboro, so in order to get to work on time, Jacade took Millie to school. And he also decided to pick her up. So I called him on my way home to see where he was - he was at the office - and I asked if he wanted me to pick her up. Now anyone knows, that with a busy, curious toddler around, you can't: a.) let your eyes off of your child, and b.) can't get much work done. So Jacade was ready for me to pick Millie up.

Jacade told me last night that he told Millie that Mommy was coming to pick her up and he said that she started running around the room and dancing in a circle and clapping her hands and saying, "Mommmmaaaaa." So, needless to say, she was excited to see Mommy!

He told her to look out the window and wait for me to pull up. Of course, right as he said that, I pulled up. We went home and cooked some dinner, which she ate none of, by the way. But she still got to bed at a decent time and slept all night!!!

Observant/Independent

I've been noticing lately that Millie is becoming more observant of her surroundings. She remembers where everyone sits at the dining room table (and even at Nana and Papa's house too).

She remembers certain parts of a book we read a lot and will do the signs relating to the book. For example, in her Fire Engine Book, we will get to the part where we actually see the flames, and she'll say and sign "hot" and then say and sign "pain." We get to the next page where the fire has been put out and the firemen are going home and there is one that has dirt on his face and she'll say and sign "bath" and "bed/tired" and "milk" b/c I've told her that he probably goes home and has some milk before he goes to bed. It's just fun seeing her practically read the book to me, so to speak.

She also is becoming very independent. I will try to help her get dressed and she'll whine and say, "Me" although we know she is just trying to say "Millie". But she wants to do it by herself. Sometimes she does get frustrated and we have to remind her to ask for help, but most of the time she is successful.

Strange Photo but had to post

Last night, I was trying to take pictures of Millie but she, and my camera, were not cooperating. I know she was tired; not sure of what the camera's deal was. Anyhow, I took this very strange picture of us - well, all of Millie and part of me. But I thought it was too funny not to share.

Taking care of business

Last night, before Millie took her shower, she needed to sit on the potty. And no potty experience would be complete without a few books to read while you wait. I thought the event was worthy enough to photograph. By the way, nothing happened, but she did get some experience. {As a side note, she has used the potty before, just not last night.}

What's for dinner?

Here is certainly a random photo of Millie's kitchen and the food on the stove. Just snapped it and loved it so much that I thought I'd post it. Of course, I don't know if Millie was planning to eat the duck too - but I've tasted duck and it's quite tender and yummy!

Oodles of flowers

Here's a picture of Millie that I took probably about two weeks ago (I'm guessing) and just wanted to share. Plus I wanted to show Mops b/c Millie is wearing one of the outfits that she and Pops gave her for Christmas.

Millie is using sentences now

Last Friday night, while Millie was taking a shower, she accidentally pooped in the shower. So I had to get her out quickly and she was a little upset over the whole matter. But I calmed her down and told her it was an accident. But the rest of the night, she had to tell everyone that she "pooped in the bath". And that, she did. She did the sign for "poop" and the sign for "bath" and as far as I'm concerned, is saying a sentence!

On Sunday, we went to church and she was ready to go to the nursery. We were getting out of the truck (Jacade dropped us off) and she quickly told her daddy, "Bye-bye." No crying from this baby. I went to pick her up and she wasn't really interested in going anywhere. She was perfectly content with staying and playing. Of course, she finally came to me. But Abbey, the director, was just stunned and confused. Thanks Millie for making it easy and fun to go to church. What a relief not to have to feel bad when you drop your baby off.

And this morning, Millie was drinking her milk and the teddy bear was sitting on the bed with us. And Millie decided to share her milk with the bear and pretended to let her bear have a sip. Then she stopped and did the sign for "share." Wow, she totally understands. I truly believe that the sign language has improved her language skills and made her a smarter baby. And it really wasn't difficult to teach her the signs. I just learned them for looking at books and then showed them to her (repeatedly). And now she uses them in conversation. It's a win-win for everyone!

First attempt at Digital Scrapbooking

I did this in Photoshop today (while I wasn't busy at work). It was fun putting all of the elements together. What do you think????