My sweet and sassy Amberly Girl,
Your baby sister will be here before we know it and I need to document your newest and latest, not to forget the very cutest, things that you do.
Before I met your daddy, I had a vivid dream about my daughter who had dark hair and was extremely intelligent. Undoubtedly it was you, and that was when I first began to fall in love. :)
Exploring the rocks and beach at Canyon Ferry Lake, outside Helena Montana where Grandpa Ditto grew up
You make me laugh every day and you sincerely impress me every day. You love to be tidy and to organize things, especially your beloved books. You adore puzzles which has made nursery one of your new favorite places. You thrive in a structured, quiet place where you can contently explore new shapes and things. You seem to grasp spatial concepts very well and I envision you becoming some kind of engineer in your college years. You are very very bright!
I wish Daddy had taken a picture of the day you arranged all of his garments so tidily around your Pack n Play...Meanwhile I find little arrangements such as these around the house and it brings a huge smile to my face.
I wish Daddy had taken a picture of the day you arranged all of his garments so tidily around your Pack n Play...Meanwhile I find little arrangements such as these around the house and it brings a huge smile to my face.
More and more, you are becoming my little buddy and I am obsessed with this! You like to do the first few minutes of my exercises with me, and when I am not feeling super energetic and need a little break, I'll ask you "Want to watch our dancing show?"
It's pretty fun for me that you're quite taken with So You Think You Can Dance! You love to sit in your "big girl seat" in the theater room right next to me and you are content to clap your hands and watch for a few minutes. Of course, you can only sit for so long until you have to get up and begin twirling yourself. (I totally get it!)
And so, you truly are becoming Mama's buddy, or as I often call you,
My Little Bestie.
CHEESE!
End of summer snuggles at the pool. I could never ever possibly get enough Amberly snuggles!
Life still isn't perfect, of course. With your new developments come new challenges. I think our biggest challenge has been nap time ever since we had to take your pacifier away at 18 months. Your teeth look amazingly better and there is no longer a gap forming from the binky, but you have a hard time calming down for your midday nap. It tends to be a Mommy/Daughter battle most days. Even if I just leave you in your crib, you associate that with play time and you will not fall asleep on your own. I have tried for up to two or more hours and if you have decided you are NOT falling asleep, it's just not happening that day. It's pretty tricky, little one! Daddy and I feel like your naps are still so important. I'll keep trying but the bigger my belly gets, the less fight I have in me. So on the days you don't nap, you're in bed by 7:15 or 7:30. ;) At least you rock and sleep 10 - 12 hours each night.
Every now and then we have success, so I send a victorious picture to Daddy.
You have the funniest little personality. You seem so nonchalant about things in public, but when you're at home in your comfort zone your expressions, your babbles, your happy vibrant little self comes out. You weren't too thrilled about the pirate treasure hunt we did at the Ditto Reunion, but we still had fun. I think you were particularly concerned as to why everyone was yelling at each other in pirate voices...
Mommy and Daddy adore family time with just the three of us (soon to be four!) and we had some standstill moments on the lake in Canyon Ferry. Loved it.
Daddy is the only one I would trust to take you on a canoe ride this young! He takes such good care of his girls, I just love that guy.
The most common question strangers ask about you is (after they've raved about how darling and beautiful you are) "How do you get her hair to curl like that?"
It's all natural, baby! I admit, I'm obsessed.
The best is right after I give you a bath, how your curls really do fall so perfectly!
Some things about life really are perfection, like your Shirley Temple curls. :)
You are loving nursery every Sunday! It took a few months but they won you over once they pulled out the puzzles and this horsey.
Your love for your baby dolls is so intense, I can't help but feel hopeful for the upcoming transition ahead with your baby sister coming home. I often find you in your room taking care of Baby Jane. Oh your precious Baby Jane, now dirty with black toes and black fingers. She goes everywhere with us including the grocery store.
Amberly and Aliya at the Mecham Reunion
4th of July Pagoda Firework tradition!
Last night and this morning you had some solid bonding time with your Nanna Ditto. You are so loved by all who know you, Amberly Faith.
This Daddy of yours is completely smitten of course and always will be. Your favorite game to play with Daddy is Hide and Go Seek, hands down. You also love when he throws you and tickles you.
Oops...sometimes we play dress up. I'm only a tad bit excited to put you in dance class next year!
Favorite Foods: French Toast, Chicken, Greek Yogurt, Watermelon, Corn on the Cob, Pears, Bananas, Quinoa, Daddy's Fluffy Pancakes (German Pancakes), Cheeseburgers, Carrots, Green Smoothies, ice cream
A few of your cutest words: "Purple" "Baby" "EEAase!" (Please) "Cebo" (Cello)
"Huh-II" (Hi) "Wah" (water) "Buh Buh" (Bubbles) "Bahbie" (Barbie) "Bah!" (Ball)
Favorite Books: "I'm a Big Sister" "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" "Calm Down, Little Monkey" "Love you Forever" "I Ain't Gonna Paint No More" "Giraffes Can't Dance" "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Other Nursery Rhymes" "Princess Sophia" "Bea at Ballet" "Brown Bear Brown Bear What do You See" "Ten Little Bluebirds" but the list could really go on for days!
And in case life gets crazy between now and your second birthday, just know that you are my little universe and I would do anything for you. Thank you for coming to earth and letting me be your Mama. It is truly the best job I have ever had and nothing has brought me deeper joy.
We love you, Amberly Faith!
Love, Your Mama
