"I See the Lord..."

22 Months

Wrapping up August and starting September brought about some easier mornings for us (Atley became used to us returning to work again), some hot, hot, hot days, and routines involving school activities.  We're enjoying our new house and learning how to move around from a new location.  There are definitely still days where I envy a car, a quick trip to Target and a grocery store that has everything (rather then needing to go to a couple) but HK is feeling more and more like what we're used to.  

Racing Dad at a breakfast spot we like..."Ready, set, go!"

Stats: 35 inches and 26 pounds.  Atley has started to eat a few more vegetables this month (loves carrots, cucumbers and doesn't know she eats onions, peppers and broccoli--sneaky!).  She has gone back to eating in her high chair as the freedom at dinner was too tempting.  She now sits through a whole meal and does a really nice job of 'socializing' with us.  Atley continues to be on the tall side and has outgrown most of her 2 year old clothes (or is still wearing them with her belly showing!).  Speaking of clothes, she is starting to prefer a diaper and t-shirt.  Anything more and we have a fit!  Sometimes, getting dressed first thing in the morning with the diaper change is our smartest option!

Homemade Playdoh--making ice cream cones and balls!  Loves pretend play!

Favorite Words and Other Milestones: Atley has really begun talking--and she's funny!  This month, at a couple different times, she's been asked a question and replies with all seriousness, "Nope, I'm good!"  The first time was when Taylor asked if she was ready to wash while in her bath...and of course, she didn't want to!  This child is quick!  She has also been saying, "One morning I looked out the window and saw..." and she fills in the blank each time with something new and cute!  This weekend, I was describing to Taylor a man that was at the park the last time Atley and I met friends there.  He had special needs but was quite loud and was screaming at us (in gibberish/Cantonese) to get off the playground--he scared me, and of course Atley a bit (although he was harmless).  Now, several times a day she says, "That guy was so scary!" (after I had said similar to Taylor).  Atley has continued to take an extreme interest to everyone's names and has even begun to ask about her friends parents.  Atley likes to tell the taxi driver our village name and even has some Cantonese phrases of her own (she tells him the 'right side' village--I don't even know the word). She has a knack for people and we look forward to where this will take her!  Every night for bedtime, we brush teeth, read 2 books and the Bible and then Atley rocks with me as we sing 2-3 songs (the same ones).  She has started to request the order of the songs and sings along.  I will always cherish the sound of her sweet voice singing as she drifts off to sleep. It's so precious!  (And she has pretty good pitch, too!)  Swimming became a BIG favorite this month.  We bought a pool for the rooftop and Atley started to love swimming in it daily. She has become very confident with it and sometimes is a bit more daring than we'd expect!  Lately, Atley has been referring to her dreams when she wakes up about 'snowmen.' She learned to jump of the couch this month (while I held my breath at the same time I supported this choice--yikes!) and skip (partially!). She's so fun!

Sitting in her 'leaf'---a baby chair that grows with them until toddler years. Hopefully she'll be ready to share!

Favorite Foods:  Atley has started to like hamburgers (which is good because with the addition of a grill on the rooftop and Mom craving them--we eat them once a week!) and even had a bowl of macaroni and cheese!  This sounds odd to be excited about but this baby is a rice and noodle girl all the way! I am not sure what we will get her to eat in the States!  She's been eating lots of oatmeal and egg sandwiches and now, raw veggies.  She has requested kabobs (gyros) and really likes ethnic food.  Hopefully, she will continue to eat new foods often.

I squeezed her and a toot came out--we were in hysterics!

Favorite Activities: Atley has allowed us to start reading more books to her--she loves fairy tales and things that have 'quotable' lines and noises ("Rattle, tattle!").  She continues to walk around all day with either of her blankets wrapped like a cloak or cape--Frozen inspired, of course!  The process of getting these in the right position is hysterical, takes several attempts and is redone ALL day long--and with no help allowed!  The blanket goes off, on, rotates, gets tangled, off, on, rotates...repeat!  The swimming is so popular it even occurs on the shower floor--loves to paddle on her tummy.

Found the perfect chairs in a store and refused to leave until Daddy met us.

Favorite Things:  Atley still loves Frozen and Snow White.  She is also requesting more baby dolls (though she has 4 that go everywhere around the house with her).  She loves going to ToysRUs and the Book Castle (enough to make an adult go insane).  She likes playing with her toy houses and imitating Mom and Dad with her babies.  She likes to walk around the village and look for big rocks and skip and run with Dad.

I continue to find pictures like this on my phone...

Least Favorite Things: Atley would love to be naked these days (nope, not potty trained, so not an option!).  At the very least, she'd like to only wear a shirt.  She is also very picky about her shoes lately.  She is wearing some that are way too small because she won't wear the ones that fit.  We settled on a pair that she wears socks with (in 95 degree heat!) and she seems ok.  She is starting to hate being told that she can't have something (her solution is to respond, "Maybe later...").

We told her we were going to the beach that morning--she was more than ready!

Random Unforgettables:  

Atley kisses my shoulder repetitively when I'm holding her.

She runs and grabs Taylor's legs and squeezes him.

She wraps our elbows and pins them to her when holding us and heading off to sleep.

She kisses Lively.

She locked herself in the bathroom this month (we had a key!)

Loves her sun and sand...and Daddy!

Loves baby Caleb--so much she was encouraging him to put his hands in her mouth. Silly girl!

Daddy's partner in crime!

Wearing Mom's shoes!

Stylin'

Out and about with Daddy--nice shades, T!

Sharing a bun at the mall with Mom.

Our favorite breakfast..noodles!

Swimming with friends, Ava and Josiah.

Our sweet little mermaid!

Dinner date with Dad...McDonalds!

On her first boat--Mom made her wear this ridiculous vest!

Off to the beach for the day!

Pretty sunset and an after dinner walk

An after school date with my Love for a very much craved Vietnamese sandwich (called a bahn mi!)

Lovebird's Corner:
This month has been a busy one!  It is hard to believe it is the middle of September, already!  It's still very hot in HK which has continued to keep us moving pretty slowly to avoid the heat.  We're looking forward to cooler days and pleasant evenings.  Taylor had a couple weeks of from grad school which was nice!  With the baby on the way, we've been making it through work, playtime with Atley, and dinner and heading to bed pretty early.  My lack of energy is rubbing off on him! We are getting excited for Taylor's parents to visit in a couple weeks.  We really just enjoy our simple days and spending time together on our way to and from work...it's an experience we know is rare for couples!  Also,  speaking of the baby on the way...we are so excited that we are expecting another sweet little girl.  We can't wait for Lively Marie to arrive in February!