Walking

So, you've been "walking" for several weeks now, taking steps in between people you love at increasingly long distances, but I don't consider a baby a "walker" until you are moving all around the house by yourself, mostly choose walking over crawling, and I can set you down in public places for you to stand/walk on your own.

For the last few days, you started walking away from the couch toward the middle of the family room floor to get toys, or you'd walk to the TV stand. This excited me because you were walking of your own accord (without a LOT of encouragement).

Today, a couple things happened. I was standing by the fridge in the kitchen and you pulled yourself up on my pant legs. I hadn't noticed you let go, but my eye got caught by a little green girl (your pajamas), walking across the kitchen floor. You went about 10-11 steps and sat down. I was happy!!! Then, later, I got up to go to the bathroom and you were by the couch sitting by Auntie Rachel and Gabriel. I heard you coming down the hall but couldn't tell if you were walking or crawling--I just assumed crawling. When I came out, Rachel told me you walked from the couch, all the way to the tile by the front door! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then later, Rachel stood you up by the tile and you walked all the way back to the couch to me, steady as can be (and even a little fast).

You are starting to choose walking a lot more instead of getting down and crawling. I think definitely by the time your baby sister gets here, you'll be mobile by walking inside and outside of the house! Which has been my biggest wish.

I have loved watching your confidence, strength and balance grow.

You definitely take your time with things to feel comfortable with it, but once you're comfortable, there is NO turning back and you are a go-go getter! Looking forward to having you walking around and being able to play outside with big sister.

I love you my little light :)

Belly Laughs

My Launa Lu-

It feels SO good to laugh, and you bring that type of feeling good and laughter into my life daily.

Yesterday morning, it was you giving Starlynn loves when she was laying on the ground. Starlynn, in her toddler self, rolled away from you and freaked out. You went with the roll, almost falling but not, but what was hilarious is your squeals of joy and laughter, especially while Starlynn is freaking out!

You also do this when Starlynn is dragging a blanket along the ground. You grab on for the ride and are laughing hysterically while Starlynn is panicking with her blanket-obsessiveness.

I think it makes me laugh because this is how my two older sisters were. Except it was the oldest (Brenda) who laughed hysterically while Carrie flipped out.

And then this morning, Starlynn was parked in the middle of the floor on her bike, attention drawn in by a show, and you were crawling circles around the bike, smiling and laughing like you were being so funny.

I just love you so much and really appreciate the big time belly-laughs that you bring to me!

Launa Says:

"Hi" (in the cutest/sweetest little tone!)
"Mom"
"Mama"
"Dad"
"Daddy"
"Rora Rora" (Grandma Laura)
"Papa"
"Dog"
"Doggy"
"Horse"
"Shoe"
"Sit" (which is really comical because it sounds like a swear word)
"Gawih" (Got it--when picking up a toy/ball)
"der" (There. Where's the baby? "there!")
"Boo!"
"Boop!" (while 'bopping' your or her nose)
"Mou" (mouth)
"Food"

She nods or shakes her head in answer to questions.

In addition, she signs:
More
Food
Baby
Dad
Dog
Clean
Wash Hands
Please
Thank You
Hot

Animal sounds:
She can do dog, "ruff ruff!", cat (which consists of her moving her tongue in and out and making sounds--kinda like a cat), horse (sounds like Starlynn's high-pitched scream/whinny) and monkey, "Oooo, oooo, oooo."


We loooooooooove our smart little girl!

Launa Walking!

First Birthday Party Pictures!