Millie: Two Years Old

Two years ago today, I received the title "Mom".  One of the best, most rewarding titles anyone could want, need or have.  My little Millie girl was born into this world at 8:03 pm.  You were a little thing (compared to your little sis) with long legs, fingers and toes.  You had (and still have) big lips, thick dark hair, and squinty eyes.  I remember that day so well.  I think I experienced every emotion that day.  But boy are your dad and I glad you chose us.  What a blessing you are and have been to our family.  I have loved and still do love being your mama.  You have taught me so much over these last few years, and I know I will continue to learn from you. 

You are such a big girl.  I know dad and I have pushed you a little more, and probably have made you grow up before you want to...but hey, you still have your paci and your "little blank-et" wherever we go.  You love them both now more than you ever have!  We have tried many times to take that paci away, but you somehow always end up with one in your mouth.  It drives dad and me nuts, but whatever makes you happy.  

You are a very smart girl and amaze me (us) every day with everything you do.  You can count to 10, sometimes 12, and most often skip number eight.  You know your ABC's, their sounds and what they look like.  You know your colors, most shapes like; diamond, square, circle, star, and heart.  You can speak full sentences, and know exactly what you want.  You still call dad, "Case" and you sometimes call me "mear".  We laugh every time!  

You are obsessed with watching shows.  Maybe we watch a little too much tv, but what's a mom to do when all you do is cry and cry for them?  Sometimes it's just easier to turn one show on.  You love Dora, "little steins" (Little Einsteins) and "Mickey Clouse" (mickey mouse clubhouse).  Every once and a while you ask for Caillou and Chuggington.  

You are always making a mess.  We give you a napkin; you ball it up or tear it in small pieces and put it under your chin..it always ends up on the floor.  You get a bag of crayons and dump it out.  You get things out of drawers and leave them out.  You are one hard one to keep up with.  Lets just say, our house is rarely spotless.

You laugh at yourself all the time.  If you ever trip, you give yourself a little giggle.  You dance and giggle.  Dad and I love that about you!  We think you're funny too!

You are a very good dancer.  Lately, you love listening to music.  If you hear any music, even if it's a flute, you dance with your arms up and rock from side to side.  Sometimes in church when the hymns are played, you dance.  You dance the same every time.  It is a great move!

You hate pictures.  You will never look at the camera and smile for me...even with bribery.  

You love to put Ivy's headbands on yourself and your babies.  You love your babies.  You rock them when they cry, feed them when they are hungry, bounce them to get them to sleep and lay them in their crib with their blankies.  

You love to have your toes painted. "Paint toes" is a phrase we hear often.  Anytime you see nail polish, you ask.  

You haven't loved to read books lately.  Maybe you are sick of the ones you have.  If you do want to read, you don't want anyone to read to you.  You have to do it all by yourself.  You do love reading books to Ivy or your babies.  You do love to color, paint, and play play-doh...but not for very long.  The paint, crayons and play-doh always end up in your mouth.  You still taste and eat everything that you are not supposed to!  We are working on it every day and are progressing.  You are still a very good eater.  You eat just about everything we do!  One thing you do hate, is watermelon.  Every. Single. Time. there is watermelon on the table, you try so hard to like it.   You always want a taste.  But you never like it, just like dad.  You love almonds!!  and always have to have "snacks".  Usually crackers AND almonds.

You are little miss independent.  You have to buckle your seatbelt all by yourself and climb in the car all by yourself.  "Millie do it"!  

You love to go to Meijer, Target, Costco, the bank and the post office.  Every time we pass a big building you yell, "Costcooo!"  Every time we pass Meijer, you let us know.  

You love the neighbors cats.  You get right in their faces, pet them and say "hi kitty!"  You giggle at them when they run away, and chase them.

You adore dad.  You always want to "wait on porch" for him to come home from work, or "daddy sit down too" when you watch a show.  You love to go meet him for lunch, visit his work and sit in his chair in his office.  

You are really into telling us whose things are whose-"that Millie's cup" "that mommy's cup".  And you are getting better at sharing with your little sister and your friends.  You do still take Ivy's things.  You don't really like her to have anything, whether it be her blanket or a toy.  We are working on the whole sharing thing, but you are getting better!  

You are very good at screaming!  When you don't get your way, you scream, and it is very very loud.  Sometimes it makes Ivy cry.  Your latest thing is to sit on the floor and say, "I'n want to do that." (I don't want to do that) 

Sometimes you put yourself in timeout.  "Millie timeout stairs."  Dad and I get a kick out of that.  And sometimes you put your babies in timeout.  When you get an owie or a bonk, kisses make it all better.  

Every morning or after your naps when Ivy and I come in to get you, you say in a very high pitched voice, "look who'd is!  Hi Ibee!"  Then you look her right in the eyes and give her kisses.  I love it, and hope that you are always that excited to see your sister.  You love to know where your little sister is.  If she doesn't come in with me to get you from your nap, you ask "where Iver's go?  Go see Ivers."  (usually Ivy's sleeping) I tell you that you need to whisper, and we can only go see her if you don't say anything.  You and I go in where her crib is and every single time you say "SEE!" in your high pitched voice.  It is just loud enough to cause Ivy to stir.  You grin a little and we run out of the room.  You love it!  

You love love love nursery.  You look forward to it every week.  You love your teacher, "Sharon", and talk about all your friends in nursery.

I could go on and on about everything I love about you.  (dad and me, both)  These two years have flown by way too fast.  

Millie, I hold you every day and wish that you would just stop growing and be your little two year old self for forever.  But I (we) have loved watching you grow and we love you!  Happy Birthday little miss!

{all photos taken by Heather Telford Photography}

15/16 Months Old

This was supposed to be for 15 months..but it works for 16 months too.

My sweet little Millie.  Where has the time gone??  Seriously, I can't believe my little baby is growing up.  I hate it, but also love it.  Such a bittersweet thing.

15 month stats: 

Height: 32 inches
(9oth percentile)

Weight: 24 pounds 14 ounces
(80th percentile)

Head: 19 inches
(96th percentile)

This little peanut is quite the smarty pants.  She says buh bye, Dad, Mama, ha (hi), up, please, baby, chzz (cheese), stinky, poop, Elma (elmo), apple, hot, bath, blall (ball), duck, book (with the 'k' really pronounced), boots, hat, thrt (treat), milk, mac (mac and cheese), ernie, pass (pacifier).  Anytime anyone burps she says "ew" in the highest sweetest voice.  It's my favorite.  And she says "nast" when she's poopy or after a burp.  She also stands up in her highchair and wipes her shirt with her hands and says, "mess".  She has a whole list of words that I can't think of.  She shortens a few long words like buck (buckle), neck (necklace), and Mick (mickey).  She is very good at communicating and will do things we ask.

She knows what a monkey says-"eee, eee"
A cow-"mmmmmmm"
a snake-"thhhhhhhhhhhh" (maybe she has a lisp?)
a horse-neigh
kitty cat-meee
lion-sometimes she'll whisper a growl
pig-sniffs her nose

Whenever she's with Cason and I'm not around, she says "mama?"
and whenever she's with me and Cason's not around she says "dada?"
She must love us both! :)

Anytime she sees our phones, camera or video camera she says "chzz!"  And she loves to watch videos and look and pictures of herself and her cousins. 

She likes to help clean up and put her toys back in her bucket.  She also likes to take all of her clothes out of her drawers and put them back in.  She dances when I sing, "clean up, clean up, everybody, everywhere..." and gets excited to help clean up.

She still loves the "vac" (vacuum).  Runs from it with a big smile on her face. 

She loves to brush her teeth with not her toothbrush, but mine or Cason's.  Hey, we're all family right?  (I know, that's disgusting, but what do you do?!)  She is obsessed with the toothpaste.  Of course, it's not her toothpaste, but our mint toothpaste.  She would suck on that thing for hours if I let her.  

She's obsessed with Elma (Elmo) and gets so excited when she sees him...even if it's on her diaper.  and also Mick.  She takes the remote and points it at the TV and says "Mick".  She always wants a show.  I'm trying to minimize it a little more, so she doesn't become addicted.  It's cute though.

If you wink at her, she winks back with both eyes.

We cut her hair into a little bob.  It was starting to look like a pretty sweet mullet.  It is now so cute!  Although it does make her look more grown up which neither of us like.  I round brush it with the blow dryer every morning and she just sits and watches or plays while I do it.

She climbs up and down the stairs and will go up to get her blanket and pacifier and come back down.

She's down to one nap from 12-2 ish.  And boy is it heaven.  I sure get a LOT done in that 2 hour period.  She has to have her blanket and pass with her...if she doesn't she won't go to bed.  Makes washing that blanket really hard.

She loves oatmeal, nanas, cook (coke) shhh don't tell Cason, cereal, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, toast, still LOVES broccoli, carrots, any veggie, and some fruit, mac (mac and cheese), milk, noodles, blackberries, blueberries, and turkey.  She goes through phases with meat...she only likes chicken if it has a marinade or sauce to take the chicken-y taste away, she loves ham, and sometimes likes turkey.  She loves juice boxes (oh, I love those little lips) and drinking out of straws.  and is obsessed with "ass" (ice).  We laugh every time!  Mature right?

If you ask her where something is and she doesn't know, she puts her hands up like "I don't know."

She blows kisses (sometimes), waves her hand back and forth and says "hi" and waves opening her hands and closing them to say "buh bye."  Answers her pretend phone and says "hello?"

She likes the bath.  And lays on her tummy and kicks her little legs.  She loves to swim! :)

She loves flap books and will be entertained for a long time trying to get those flaps open herself.  She really loves books, and still loves to turn the pages.

She is always on the go!  She likes to stand in the cart, stroller, or anywhere she has to be buckled.  It's quite a challenge.  She also loves to push the cart or stroller.   We went to Trader Joe's awhile ago, and they had mini carts.  She pushed that thing all around the store and grabbed things off the shelf to put into her cart.  We sure got lots of attention with that one.  So funny!

Church is a challenge.  Good thing Cason and I have each other because neither of us could do all three meetings alone.  Lots of treats and crackers to keep her occupied.  Thank heavens!

She loves to be chased and tickled, and giggles every time.

She always has her big toe up when she's busy doing something.  (as pictured)
And she wears a size 5 shoe, which she is quickly outgrowing.

She loves little babies.  Real and fake.  Every time I say, "Millie, your baby is so sad."  She looks at me and does this pouty face, scrunches up her nose and whimpers.  It is my favorite!!

The other day, I about cried thinking about bringing another baby into our home.  Made me sad to think that it won't be just us two anymore.  She's my little buddy and I love everyday with just the two of us.  Don't get me wrong, I am very excited to have another baby, but I am sad that she has to share her alone time with me with another little one.  Hopefully that changes once the baby gets here. :)

We love this little peanut!  She is getting too big.  Every time I look at her, I think to myself, when did she ever get so big?  I don't know where the time went...but we are enjoying everyday with her, and trying to write down and remember every little detail before it's too late.

9 Months Old

My little Millie girl is nine months old!  I have to say this is the most fun, most exhausting, most exciting, most nervous, most goofy, most funny, most crazy stage yet.  (although looking back I'd probably say that about every month.)

She is sooo fun!!  She has quite the little personality.  She loves people and will smile a huge smile when they talk to her or smile at her.  She loves to watch people.  She will just sit back and observe.  Our neighbors have a trampoline right outside our kitchen window-she loves to sit in her highchair while she is eating and watch the kids jump and play.

She is still in love with her dad, and I don't think that will ever change.  She knows when he is getting ready for work and cries when when he leaves.  When she hears the garage door open, she immediately flails her arms, kicks her legs and gets the biggest smile on her face, because she knows Dad is home to play with her.  I guess you could say she's obsessed.  I love it!

She is starting to crawl.  I wouldn't say it is a perfect form crawl, but she can get from one toy to the next by scooting, army crawling or rolling.  She stays very busy on all fours.  She loves to stand up on furniture and is starting to move from one end of the couch to the other.  She is very proud of herself when she does it!  And I'm proud of her too.  We definitely have to keep a close eye on her now.

She still loves food!  Cason was worried I was feeding her too much.  But apparently not, since she only gained 1.5 pounds since her 6 month check up.  I can't keep up with her.  I think she would eat all day.  She loves her ba-ba's.  I thought that day would never come.  I stopped nursing recently and she did NOT like formula.  That quickly changed!  Now she can't get enough.  Her favorites right now are little florets of broccoli, cheese, toast and oranges.  She eats just about anything though!  I hope that doesn't change.

She loves to read books and listen to music.  Sometimes she'll even sing along.  She has kind of done that since she was a newborn though.  It is very cute! (maybe all babies do it?  I love it nonetheless.)  

She has quite a few nicknames...a few are Mills, Mill, punk (short for punkin), punky, Mills Bills (my fam calls her that), monkey, Millie lou, Millie bug, Millie moo, etc.

She has a full head of dirty blonde hair and bright blue eyes.  Two little bottom teeth popped up last month.  It was an exciting day!  I texted my whole family to tell them...they probably didn't care, but I like to pretend they did.  

We love our little Millie girl.  Her smile and laughter brighten our day!  We love her to death!  And are so grateful for the joy she brings to our lives.  

and the best for last...

(if you look closely you can see two little teeth on the bottom.)

six months old

Millie Marie is 6 months old!  (almost 7, but just had her 6 month check up)  It is amazing to see how much she has grown and progressed since she was a newborn.  I can't believe how much she has changed in 6 short months.  All these little milestones are so fun and I am very intrigued with all the little things she has learned. (and the big things)

Millie loves loves loves her Dad.  I try all day to make her giggle, smile, laugh, etc. and I get a few here and there, but the second he gives her attention she is nothing but rolling giggles, huge smiles and fun!  I love their little relationship.  One time he came home from work and went upstairs to change into something a little more comfortable-she watched him walk up the stairs and started to cry.  She wanted to play!  It was so sweet.  And Cason also loves her.  Often times out of the blue, he tells me he loves her.  It is so precious!  

She is such a little cuddle bug.  When we put her facing towards us on our shoulder, she instantly lays her head down to snuggle.  She loves her blankie and has to have it by her face or covering her face when she sleeps.  At first it scared me, but I slowly realized she does it on purpose.  

Believe it or not, but she can be quite the screamer.  Whether it's not getting enough attention, or just having fun she loves to scream.  It can be quite loud at times and sometimes cute, but most of the time it drives me crazy.  

Her latest favorite is dropping things.  She will drop something on purpose for me to pick up.  I don't know if she thinks its funny or she just loves to put me to work.  Either way, she loves it and does it over and over again.  

Millie is a very good eater!  She loves rice cereal, green beans, sweet potatoes, avocados, zucchini, and sometimes squash.  She is not the biggest fan of peaches, but likes applesauce and pears.  Every time she takes a bite of her food she says "mmmm."  She loves water from her sippy cup and can keep her occupied for a long time.  

She loves to copycat.  Any noise we make with our mouths, she copies.  kissy noises, growls, smacking, etc. 

She giggles when we make funny faces at her, and cries when a toy is taken from her.  She loves when we say "what does a cow say?"  "MoOOOOooo!"  And also "What does a lion say?" "Rooaooaaaar!"  She smiles every time.  She loves to play patty-cake, peek-a-boo, and sing itsy bitsy spider, twinkle twinkle little star, and popcorn popping.  

She loves her pacifier.  She can spot it a mile away and will stare it down until she has it in her mouth.  She loves to put it in and take it out of her mouth.  It makes her happy and stops the crying no matter what.  I think she would rather play with her paci over a bright colorful toy.  

She loves to eat her toes, and chew on her thumb.  

She is a very good sitter.  Although I do have to keep an eye on her from falling over from time to time, she can sit up for a very long time and play.  She doesn't roll at all, but I think she has skipped that stage. She would rather be sitting than laying down.  

Millie girl loves her sleep!  When she's tired...she's tired and she will let you know it.  She sleeps through the night from 8:30pm-7:30am.  And loves when we come get her in the morning.  

She loves the bath, and gets very excited to play with her toys and splash in the water.  

 

She is so full of energy and is one happy baby.  We love every ounce of her!  She is our little "ray of sunshine"!  

{this little piggie}

What can I say?...

The girl loves to be in the buff.  

I think she likes it so much because she can see and play with her little piggie toes.  

That's about the only time they aren't covered by socks or jammies. 

She is intrigued by those cute nubby toes.  

Happy Half Birthday to my Millie girl!  

6 months old??  How did that creep up on us so quickly?  

Love her!

4 months old

Millie girl is now 4 months old.  
(Well 4.5, but these are her 4 month stats) 

She is quite funny in her young age.  

She is very ticklish!  

She laughs, giggles and squeels...which makes us feel like we're funny.

 

She is sleeping through the night, and takes a few long naps during the day. 

She is like a clock.  She eats every 3 hours on the dot!

She loves attention, but also loves to just lay in her crib and kick. 

She isn't rolling over yet, but we're not too worried.

I'm in no hurry to have her move around.

It's nice to just be able to lay her down and not have to worry.

She loves to sit up...although she can't do it on her own, she wishes she could.

She has a little round face, rosebud lips, and Cason's smile.

She makes the funniest faces and has the chubbiest cheeks.

She is a big girl!  

She is growing out of her 3-6 month clothes and we're moving on up to 6-12 month.

The doctor said she was the size of a 6 month old.

I about cried when I heard that. 

She is still my 3 week old baby. 

I think I'm in denial about her getting bigger.

I want her to stay small forever!

 

We love our baby girl!!  

Cheers to 4 months of life.

Two Months

My Millie girl is 2 months old now.  She is so fun! 

 If she's fun now, I can only imagine she'll get more fun as time goes on.

She is really tall, but we'll take it!  We could use the genes. :)  

  

She is all grins and coos.  

I love it.  

  

Everyday, I feel like I am playing house.

She is like my little dolly that I take everywhere I go.

She lets me play dress ups with her, she is my guinea pig for pictures, and we sing songs all day long.

Good thing she still thinks my voice sounds good!  

Hopefully it doesn't change.  She's about the only one that likes it. :)

She gets so excited when she sees Cason or me come into the room. 

She has to have her pacifier before going to bed.

Once we give it to her, she closes her eyes and goes right to sleep.

Hopefully this isn't too bad of a habit to start.  I'm a little worried.

She loves to play patty cake and sing The Birdie Song (my made-up version of it.)

She smiles when I say, "what does a doggy say? Ruff. Ruff."  In a high pitched voice.

Maybe it's just the high pitched voice, but I like to think she knows what I'm talking about.

She's my little sidekick, my little pal, my best bud.  

I love you Millie girl!