Okay, okay...

It is high time for another post. As usual, things have been crazy. Our time lately has been monopolized with house hunting. We will eventually find the perfect house for us!

In the meantime, Shelby is another month older - 21 months! Here is what she has been up to:

- Shelby's communication skills have really taken off. She has always been a fast learner when it comes to talking, but it seems like in the past month she has really been advancing. Her vocabulary amazes me. I cannot even count the number of words she knows. She surprises me all the time when she will say a word she has heard us say, and she will actually know what it is or what it means. She can talk in sentences, of which we can pick out 4-5 words. She repeats everything. And I mean everything. One of the funnier things she has repeated lately? Yesterday I was talkng to a coworker and jokingly told her, "Chill out, you need a Xanax". Of course, Shelby starts saying, "Xanax, Xanax!". That's one I am sure she will scream out in Nursery or something.
- She really loves playing with Roxy, but she likes bossing her around even more. If she hears Roxy bark, she is quick to yell out, "Hush, Roxy!". And if Roxy jumps on the couch she will say, "Down couch, Roxy!".
- I think she might be a future star of American Idol or So You Think You Can Dance. She loves to sing, and her favorite songs are Itsy Bitsy Spider, Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam, and Say My Name by Destiny's Child. Ok, that one might not be a favorite, but she does enjoy singing it. And the instant music comes on, you can bet you'll see Shelby bopping her head or shaking her booty.
-She has really come to love her baths. I mean, she liked them before, but now she loves to lay on her stomach and put her head in the water and pretend she's swimming. A few more weeks and we just might be able to test out those skills in a pool.
- Unfortunately, she still loves to call Jeremy by name. I swear I didn't TEACH this to her. She is just mimicing me. Jeremy thinks I have done this on purpose, so to get me back, he is trying to teach her to say my name. Fortunately for me, my name is a bit more difficult for children to say.
- Shelby is still very much a mama's girl. My hair still serves as her security blanket. If she is ever upset, I can put my hair in her hand and she will usually calm down instantly. When you ask Shelby who her best friend is, she replies, "Mommy".

Here's what else Shelby has been up to this month:


Making messes


Going to the zoo with...


Lilly...


Cole (aka Mini-Becky...Haha! That one was for the fam)...


and Leila.


Cleaning up her artwork on the walls and doors


Making sure Love-A-Lot lends a hand in the cleanup


Hot cocoa parties with Love-A-Lot (those Care Bears...such good friends)