23 Months

Autumn, another month has blown by and we have a precious few weeks before you are an official 2 year old. This has been a big month for all of us - including long goodbyes with family, moving to Hawaii and starting full time daycare for the first time. As usual you did great with the transition! The first few days were rough on all of us - but you endured viewing 5 rentals in one day, long shopping trips and the run around it takes to get a house set up. Only a couple of tantrums - and really we all felt like having them - you are just young enough to get show us the real emotions we all had on the inside! You absolutely love your daycare and we are so sad that we will have to transition you again soon because Auntie Joy got a job at the hospital. You have so much fun there and always are in a good mood when I pick you up. It is such a relief that you like it, as it hasn't been easy for momma to let you go.
The last week was the beginning of a more routine life for our family and we are all enjoying that. Even before that you have pretty much kept a schedule of a 9 -10 hour night and one 1.5-2.5 hour nap in the afternoon. You mostly sleep through the night, but have streaks when you get up at 4am and need cow's milk or a cuddle. In Colorado we went to bed late and got up later and here in Hawaii we go to bed early and get up around 6am. You spend every waking hour playing, playing, playing!

Skills you have!
Jumping
Easily count to 12 (when we say let count, you count 1 to 12 and then start over)
h-z of the alphabet song - for some reason you skip straight to h
everything that comes out of your mouth is 2-8 word phrases and sentences. Tonight you were fixated on not giving Tosh a hug when he left. "Autumn not give Tosh a hug. Autumn being shy."
You love pretend play - kitchen, babies, house... Luckily we found these types of toys at yard sales and so your room is packed with many imaginative play opportunities. You put diapers on your babies without help and tell the daddy in your house what the baby needs. It is so much fun to watch you.
You can dress your self. Shirts, pants (not the zippers/buttons), socks, and shoes. It many not be perfect, but it gets on!
Easily get in and out all the doors (we have to dead bolt the front door)
"read" to your babies
Mostly stay upright walking in a 2' pool and can kick and scoop (beginning swim) for 5 seconds.
Understand little and big
You want to use knifes and drive the car - sigh... it could be a long 14 years (-: Probably your number one start to a tantrum is when we get in the car and you want to drive.
You know all your friends and family by name
You know 'in' 'on' 'above' 'under'
Knows temperature "momma is it hot?" "is it warm?" "is it cold?" "No...." In shower "too hot" or "too cold."
Drinks pretty well out of a cup - occasionally still spills.
Eats with fork and spoon using fingers to put food and the utensils. But you must have the utensils!
You are a girl that knows what you want (and how to change your mind repeatedly too) you tell us how to play with your toys, how to help you and how you want things done and who you want to do what.
"mama get Autumn's drink, Dada unbuckle Autumn..." We are trying to train you to be more flexible... as you get pretty upset when the wrong person helps with a task.

Favorites: Swimming, beach, dressing, diapering and strolling your dolls, playing house, playing kitchen, cuddling, helping, eating (cream cheese, fruit, rice and raisins/craisins are your current favorites - but you eat about anything), Tosh, singing, running, climbing, dancing.

Dislikes: Transitioning to bath time, going to bed, getting in the car (sometimes), leaving the beach or pool.

Autumn, we love you so much! You are so wonderfully made and bring us so much joy! The other day we were having family cuddles and you grabbed our necks and said, "Love you guys!" You melt our hearts! The next year will be an adventure and we look forward to all the fun we will have in Hawaii with you!

Love,
Mama and Daddy