15 months!!

Today's the day-- 15 months old.  The most noticable change in the Lil' Bean?  More hair!  Filling in a little more all over, and the sweet curls at the nape of her neck just make me melt.

15 months baby!

Some Fun 15 month Facts:

• 19 lbs 3 oz (5th percentile), and 29.5 inches (20th percentile).  What a Munchkin!!!
• Can sign 'milk'....still working on some others. 
• 'Eye' teeth are beginning to pop out (poor Lil' Bean).
• Seems to be communicating more-- granted, she's still babbling but she's trying.  Steve swears she points at things and says 'This', as if asking for more information about certain objects.
• The look on her face when Dad comes home is priceless.  If we're waiting outside, as soon as she hears the horn, she knows what it means.  Or when Dad comes downstairs while we're eating breakfast, once she hears his shoes, she is all smiles. 
• She tends to like to pinch and grab people's clothes (we'll work on fixing that!)
• Still adores Maya, and now she is cluing into OTHER dogs.  When we go on walks she laughs and points at all dogs. 
• Loves the bunnies running around our neighborhood.  Points and laughs. 
• She sees the picture of Steve and I in her nursey and points and smiles at it. 
• Still a good eater...she pretty much eats whatever we eat.  If we're having something spicy, we put some aside for her before we put the spices in. 
• Knows where her ear is...If you ask her where her nose is, she will point to your nose (hasn't quite found her own yet). 
• Loves her pillow from Granny & Big A.
• Still addicted to her Popo.
• Loves to play in the closet-- Daddy's tie rack seems to be a favorite.
• Has discovered electronics.  Loves the camera, cell phone (wants to see pictures of herself on here), and the Blackberry playbook.

Looks like a Vogt here??

Corn lover.

Who doesn't fall asleep with an alligator on their face every now and then?

One year ago today.....

Berit was baptized!!  What a little gift from God she is....

First Day of School

 

Today, Berit went to school.  I enrolled her back in January (you have to plan ahead for these things) at a Methodist Church when I was still working part-time from home, thinking that I could use a day to get a lot of work done.  Sadly, I am no longer doing that, but Steve and I still felt that getting out and socializing without Mom would be good for her...and me.  I was really sad about it--we are lil' buddies.  But the school is great and she will love it.  Here are some pics from her first day. 

Modeling her new backpack- it's a little big!

Where are we going MOM?

Saying good-bye to Maya.

Can we go to Target instead? 

Please???

All right, here we go....

 Her teacher Ms. Lesley said she did great!  Only cried once. 

Berit and Ms. Lesley

Getting acquainted with the kids and toys

Hello MOM! 

Tuckered out.



 






Newest Family Member

We now have a 53" bear living at our house. 

I went to Costco about a week ago and there was a pile of huge bears right in front when we walked in.  Berit went ballistic for them.  So I let her sit in the cart and play with one for awhile, then I said it was time to say good-bye and we waved to the bear.  Well, she wasn't havin' it.  She threw a fit.  I mean a true fit.  She screamed the rest of the time in Costco (free samples wouldn't even appease her), buried her head in the shopping cart and was just completely a wreck.  It was actually pretty embarassing, and the worst fit she's ever thrown.  We went and visited the bear again before we left-- and in a weak moment, I totally caved.  I know this isn't the precendent I want to be setting here-- having a kid throwing a fit, and then the kid getting what she wants, but I did it anyways.  So I somehow put the bear in my cart amongst my Costco sized groceries and off we went....and there has been nothing but pure JOY at our house ever since.  She loves to run and fall into it-- and she has even watched a little TV in the bear's lap (so Mom can cook dinner).  This thing has been a lifesaver.  Somehow, he got the name Johnny, and so far it has stuck. 

When Dad first saw it, he said that Johnny could stay for a few days, but then he was going back to live at Costco.  But he changed his mind once he saw this face. 

Only downfall?  Well I am now stuck with this thing in my living room. 

Ballet

I realized I forgot to mention that Berit took Ballet in July.  Let's just say that she won't be starring in the Nutcracker anytime soon, but it was pretty darn cute. 

Up North

Steve was born in Minnesota, and spent a significant amount of time there growing up.  It always holds a special place in his heart, and as our friend Liz noted this past weekend, 'He is so nostaligic for Minnesota.'  Yes, it's true.  Despite the mosquitos and the humidity, it's hard to beat. 

It was a rather quick trip (we arrived Thursday and left Monday) but we were able to fit in a lot of fun.  Thursday we arrived up at Rush Lake to spend the night with Bob and Jan Mahoney, Steve's Godparents. 

We're here!!



Meeting Jan for the first time

We love the lake!

Loving life!

Dinner on the beach!

Later, we went up to the Tromiczak/Ostrem cabin. 

Ostrem Beach!

Beatin' the heat!

Family photo on the boat!

Shawn & Ben Tromiczak!

So sad we didn't get a photo of the Skarsgards & Tromiczaks together...We love all our Minnesota friends!