"Will You Call Me Child...?"

19 Months

In the past month we have been collapsing into bed and hitting snooze the next morning more than snooze was meant for (or maybe that's just me and not Taylor...)! This always seems to happen at the end of the school year (1 more day!! Can you hear us chanting?!)  However, Atley has not seemed to slow down one bit! In fact, she's started galloping, "running, running" to the start of summer break.  We are so thrilled to spend our days with her, together as our small family!  We plan to take lots of walks, climb lots of stairs, ride bikes, swim in the pools and the beaches, relax in Thailand, wake up way too early, stay up way too late, and love every minute of it!

Outside our apartment on one of our many walks--Atley loves getting out of the house and climbing!

Stats:

33.5 inches and 26 pounds.  Atley continues to feel heavier--but the scale rises slowly (can this be across the board for the whole family?!).  She's filling out and feeling stockier, which I think is the reason for clothes continually getting smaller.  We've stopped buying 18 month old clothing and are now buying size 2-3.  With it being so hot lately, she tends to run around in t-shirts and no shorts more often!

Atley helping in the kitchen..making 'soup!'

Favorite Words and Other Milestones:

We've been able to make a transition! Atley now exclaims "OHMYGOODNESS!" We're happy with the change ;)  Atley continues to pick out items and inform us of their owner.  "Daddy's phone, Mommy's phone and Atley's phone" have been the latest.  She tends to think if she talks about having a phone, she will receive one....at age one.  Maybe I should try her logic?!  Atley has also started being more intentional about acknowledging us--"Hi, Mommy! Hi, Daddy!"  It's such a joy---followed with running towards us and a big hug and kiss.  We're well aware that these are good times!  Although not a word, Atley often mimics the sound of our electronics buzzing--and yells, "phone!"  It's pretty crazy how in-tune she is to small details.  Atley loves to sing, "If You're Happy and You Know it, Shout Amen!" and "I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, Down in My Heart....WHERE?"  (the where is accompanied by a cute shrug and hands in the air).  And, just this week, Atley started copying us and saying, "Daddy's awesome!"  She's so much fun!

Cruising around in our concrete world!

Favorite Foods:

Curry.  Any and all kinds.  Still. Atley requests it when she doesn't like what's for dinner.  But, we've found that she is going to be a good kid to reason with--and almost always understands when we tell her she needs to eat something before having, yes, more blueberries after a meal.  She begins to power feed at this point and I'm always very impressed how quickly that once undesired meal goes down!  She would love to drink Dad's milk teas (a HK specialty of iced milk, tea, and syrup...delicious!) but settles for water daily--and lots of it.  She has also lately been enjoying salads (including peppers, black beans, corn, onions...).  We bring small scissors with us when we go out to eat and chop up whatever we're having--it works great!

Atley and Daddy have such a fun time together!

Favorite Activities:

Atley has started to figure out our routines (what?! So soon!?).  Now, as we head to put her to bed she quickly asks, "Couch? Bed?" (because when she wakes up she comes to lay in bed with us or on the couch in the morning) to which we respond, "Yes, you're going to lay in your crib," to which she then reasons, "Rock? (in the rocking chair)"....and finally, we reach a compromise.  One night this week, she woke up at 4 am from possibly a dream and because it's her routine, immediately began asking me, "Couch?" in her sleep. Too cute!  Atley loves to play airplane and pretends her toys are also on airplanes.  I suppose we have a traveler on our hands!  Atley also runs up with any ailment, cut or owie and sticks it to our lips.  Too sweet.  I love that a simple kiss is enough right now.  This past weekend, when NaiNai was here, we attempted to have a tea party.  We put on our 'fancy' hats and our 'fancy' shoes.  I told Atley she should go outside and knock on the door to come to the party.  This was the extent of our party as Atley insisted on GOING to a party.  She was not coming back inside!  NaiNai took her on a walk outside instead!  A walk after breakfast is a must, daily!

Waiting to GO to the party

Dressed for our 'tea party' that never happened!

Favorite Things:

Atley loves a new book she received, "Blue Hat, Green Hat" because it has the word, "Oops!" in it often.  She still loves her Bunny and blanket (with her since birth) and has now begun trying to carry as many stuffed friends as she possibly can--everywhere at home!  She has also started to be more interested in toy cars and buses.  She doesn't quite drive them around but likes to crash them into other cars.  Totally safe.

Long hair!

Least Favorite Things:

Atley does not like to sit still--for long! She is a mover.  She still hates getting her hair rinsed in the tub and often asks to be "done?" with a head full of soap.  She has also started saying, "No, uhhh, uhhh," when we ask her if she wants to eat/do/read something.  This girly knows what she wants!

Showing Daddy some skills!

Random Unforgettables:

Atley intentionally tries to make Mommy laugh when singing "Happy Birthday" at night by who she chooses to sing to..."couch, phone, belly, iPad, sock"...it's a favorite time of day!

She prays for a friend each night--sweet little Caleb Bradford takes the cake most often lately!

A couple different friends of ours had babies within the last 3 weeks so it's been a hot topic.  Last night, Atley held a tupperware up to her belly in the bathtub and said, "Baby!" while patting her plastic, pregnant stomach!

Taylor had this conversation with Atley: "Atley, we don't use our tongue to kiss." (HA!)

Atley has started to bust into random dance moves that resemble a shimmy!

The tiny sharp fingernails and random scabs from falling -- all over her!

Attempting to take her own shoes off--resulting in chaos!

Celebrating his 29th birthday--beautiful restaurant and my favorite company!

Lovebirds Corner:

Taylor has been enjoying his 2 week break from grad school (Boise State) but is now back in the swing--with double classes!  We'll be staying in HK to help him keep a schedule and find time to work.  I'm looking forward to being home--but very anxious about starting household chores again as we send Mila home for the summer (we will miss her so!).  I have been so thankful to have time with Atley and Taylor after work instead of frantically cooking, etc.  Maybe we can just order in?! ;)  We are moving to a new village home this summer (mid-July) and are looking very forward to it!  It has a rooftop which will allow us to get a grill and some outdoor toys for Atley.  There are friends in this neighborhood and it's not too much farther from work.  We think it will be perfect!  Missing Colorado and all that comes with it this year...we send our love!