Growing Up

It's amazing to me how Miriam has "grown up" the past few months.

She is saying a lot more words, a few of which are please, thank you, shoes, love you, hi, bye (her all-time favorite), ball, mama, daddy and of course, No.
She understands what we tell her and follows instructions (when she feels up to it).
She can help carry in groceries and clean up toys (again, when she feels up to it).
She runs and loves to be chased.
She can climb up on just about everything now.
She can record shows on the DVR without any help.
She's finally gotten more teeth, 9 in total (5 that have come in the last 2 months)
She's given up the pacifier without a fight.
She hasn't drank from a bottle since last August.

My little girl is no longer a baby. She is most definitely a toddler. And she has many ways to show you by her fits and messes and constant curiosity.
But along with the stressful comes the adorable like the hugs and kisses she gives, her smiles and laughs, her songs and her pure joy that comes from something as simple as running around outside.

She loves reading books and I caught her the other day "singing" one to herself.




She loves her best friend Anna and squeals with delight every time she sees her. They are still learning to share and not hit each other, but they really do love each other. Here are a few videos of them playing together.





It's exciting to watch her learn and grow and develop into the wonderful person she is. I am so excited to meet another precious little person and welcome him/her into our family, and go through this whole process again. I think Miriam is going to love being a big sister, as soon as she gets over not getting ALL of the attention from Mom and Dad.

I so love this little girl through all of the ups and the downs, of which there are many each day. I wouldn't trade being a Mom for anything in the world.