22 Months...

Riley Riley Riley...I can't believe 2 is just around the corner and how much fun you are! Here's what you've been up to:

• Sleeping - Still a great sleeper at night...a good 11-13 hours is normal and much appreciated! There are some random early mornings but for the most part she goess to bed between 7 and 8 and sleep until 7 or 8. Now for naps things seem to be going downhill ever since she started back to school all day...that's only been one week so we'll see if she gets back into the groove but our 3 hour napper has suddenly only been sleeping 1 hour at school and less than 2 hours at home...oh how I hope this is not a trend because it is very obvious that she needs more nap time than what she has been getting...I'm sure she'll adjust and work out the kinks but we'll see!
• Eating - She's been eating really good at school and at home. At school they eat family style and teach them to pour their own milk, serve their own food, and clean up their dishes...she's already getting the hang of it. I got to witness it all last Friday when I went to pick her up early and she was the only one still eating and was already on her second helping of everything...that's my girl!
• Growing - I can tell she's gotten taller for sure and she grew out of all of her shoes in late August. She's wearing size 5-7 shoes depending on the type due to her fat foot syndrome...hehe! She's still wearing 12-18 month clothes and her 18-24 month clothes are still a little big so I guess she's just in an in-between phase and she's getting tall and lean but definitely growing! She just moved up to size 5 diapers a few weeks ago!
• Talking - She is saying so many more words there's just too many to type but the jist of it is that she will attempt ANYTHING and get pretty close to the real deal! She can recognize all of our family through pictures and we just think that is the coolest! We often take her around to all of our pictures hanging throughout the house and she never misses a beat pointing out everyone!
• Being a TOTAL girl - I have a girly girl on my hands...but she's also super tough so it's a great combo! She wants to do everything her mommy does whether that be brushing hair, brushing teeth, getting a splash of body spray, putting makeup on, or putting some chapstick on...she does it all! She also LOVES purses and bags and she's set to go as long as she has one in the crook of her arm! I love it and I painted her toenails a few weeks ago for the first time and it was just so much fun!
• Starting to show signs of potty training - We are not there yet and not really even trying but I have noticed how much more she is aware of what is going on. Yesterday she tee-teed on the kitchen floor right after her bath when she was running around naked before she got lotioned up and diapered for bet...as soon as she went on the floor she ran to the bathroom and tried to get up on the toilet...she's moving in the right direction!
• Loves being a mommy - Riley loves babies...real ones and toy ones! She is such a cute little mommy whether she is trying to feed Maddie, putting our friend's newborn Levi "to bed", or simply trying to change the diaper of one of her stuffed animals or share her milk with her buddy......I think baby related toys are going to be our go to item over the next few months!
• Loves reading to us - Reading in her somewhat understandable language that is! Lately her favorite book has been her Bible which is awesome. She grabs it, puts in on her lap, turns the pages, and just talks away telling us all the stories! My favorite thing lately has been after prayer she says "I uv you Jesus"...melts my heart and it has to melt His even more!
• Not so good at sharing - It's totally the age and all kids seem to have this same issue...hence why her school has 2 of every toy so they don't even have to share! We're still learning how to parent her through this and may be referring to some books. We have been stern with her when she is not willing to share and try and show her how it all works but it's just too much for her to handle. The other day when I took Riley to school she immediately went to the sink to wash her hands which is the first thing they all do when they get there and her friend Kiera had arrived at the same time and approached the sink at the same exact time...Riley immediately took possession of the sink and said "No...mine" to which I would normally step in and tell her that's not how we treat people but her teacher said "Riley that's great that you are using your words but Kiera would like to wash her hands with you"...I chuckled inside but think she might have the right idea with pointing out the positive that at least she used her words rather than hit or pushed...all these things parents have to figure out!
• Running - I've really noticed over the past few weeks that Riley has really gotten fast and she can be gone before we know it! She is also getting more and more adventurous at playgrounds and can pretty much climb all around without too much help these days...she has no fear for sure so I do have to keep a close eye on her!

We love you Riley!