"All You Need Is Love" (Hug)

Recently, Everlee has moved into her toddler bed so it has made our night time routine and little different. Since Everlee is able to get out of her bed and roam around as she pleases, we have spent a little more time snuggling in bed, reading stories, and singing songs. Her newest aversion to sleep is asking for milk and juice. I will tell her numerous times she can only have water since she has already brushed her teeth. This specific routine happened again last night. We were finally in bed and she asked again for juice. I explained she could have water. She said, "No." I replied with, "What would you like?" She reached her arms out and simply said, "A Hug, Love you Mommy!" She can have all the hugs she wants, anytime of day. Sometimes after a long day all you really need is a hug.

Little Baby With Your Lotion

Every time we give Everlee a bath she helps us lather her with lotion. She has imitated this act with her baby dolls on numerous occasions. She was extremely efficient the other night after her tubby time. Shane and I were obviously not supervising her like we should because we walked into her room to discover quite a plethora of lotion doused on the baby doll. She was rather proud of her parenting abilities and so were we. Everlee didn't miss a spot on her baby doll, her face, or the side of her bed.

Terrible Towel

There was nothing better than celebrating my birthday weekend with my family and having a Steeler AFC Championship Win. The Steelers beat the Jets clenching a spot in the Super Bowl and it all happened on my birthday weekend. What a fantastic gift! Anyone who knows me, knows that I bleed Black and Gold. I am the first to admit I take my football WAY to seriously. I can actually recall watching the Steelers play while growing up in California with my parents. I especially remember watching the games with my father. He took me to my very first game in San Diego against the Chargers. I remember being slightly older than Everlee watching the "old past time favorite". Naturally, we had to start Everlee off on the right foot. She wasn't even a year old when she first watched the Steelers win their 6th Super Bowl title. While watching the game on Sunday, Everlee knew exactly what to do with her Terrible Towel. She cheered, "Go,Go, Go....Run, Run, Run" throughout the game waving the Black and Gold. Everlee also knew exactly whose towel belonged to whom. Win, Lose, or Tie a Steelers fan until we die....We will never throw in the TOWEL!!!

Baby Goes Pee Pee Too!

Everlee has been doing a great job when it comes to potty training. She is a regular at school and has gone quite a few times as home. She is taking it so seriously, she even makes sure her baby doll goes "pee pee" and "poo poo" on the potty. She will undress her baby doll and take it to the bathroom to use the potty. She always makes sure the baby doll flushes the toilet and washes her hands. It is so fun to watch her play "mommy". She is so gentle and thoughtful when it comes to caring for her baby dolls. Everlee always encourages those around her and is always quick to help others feel good about themselves. It is amazing how much influence she can have to those around her.

Since we have started potty training Everlee, she has become very aware of people and poop. Everlee likes to announce to whomever will listen, that someone has "pooped." Usually, this is not the case but she still likes to share the news whether public or private. Everlee's new favorite phrase seems to be, "Momma Pooped" "Dadda Pooped" "I Pooped". I have finally convinced to make a general statement of "Everybody Poops." We don't need our family secrets being made public.
First Time on the Potty- Poo Poo 1/9/11 Pee Pee 1/11/11

Dancing Queen

Everlee loves to dance and she loves to sing. I finally had the camera ready when she was dancing. I especially loved this song by, Jamie Johnson because it sounded like something my dad would listen to. My dad loved to dance with my mom and dance in the kitchen. I wanted to capture Everlee dancing to this song because I could imagine my dad dancing with her. There isn't anything he would have loved more. Everlee has know idea how one little song and one little dance could bring back a world of memories. It makes you realize how important it is to take the time to stop and do a "little dance."

Splish, Splash Taking a Bath!

Although I love almost every single moment of parenthood, I simply love watching Everlee enjoy the simple things in life. She gets so much pleasure from taking a "Tubby." Who knew the mention of the word "Tubby" could take a screaming, kicking two year old and put them into a trance. Everlee simply loves to splash in the tub no matter the time of day. Once she hears the magic word she will immediately run to room, grab her towel, and start to kick off her shoes. Since she has gained this new sense of independence she wants to do it all herself. Carry the towel, turn on the water, pour the bubbles, take off her clothes, and climb in. The whole process takes longer this way but it is such a joy to experience with her. She loves to splash the water, blow the bubbles, and play with her dolls. I wish her entire life could be this carefree and relaxed. I hope she will always look at the world as a relaxing bubble bath...some to enjoy and savor.