Kalina. 18 months. What a ride!
Kalina, eighteen months already... what a beautiful little girl, and such a sweetheart. I remember when I was pregnant with her, I worried that I wouldn't have enough love to share between the two... how silly I was! I can not believe how much my heart swells when I think of either them, when I look at them, when I catch a small act of kindness between the two. We are so blessed to have two beautiful, healthy girls...
Kalina at 18 months is so cute, yet, such a stinker! She has that look... you know the one... the "I'm an angel" look... that behind those beautiful blue eyes, you can see the wheels turning as she plans her next move. She also has that smile... you know... the, "you know you want to just smile back even though I am purposely dumping chocolate syrup all over the carpet" smile. (She hasn't done that.... yet.... but you know that smile... and I'm sure she will do that sometime)
She keeps us on our toes, but definitely brings us smiles everyday! She is talking up a storm, and repeating everything we say. Her favorite words are- Frog, dog, duck, quack, Mom, Daddy, Sis, Tay, Look, Here, POCK(y)... she says many more, but those seem to be her favorite and this moment in time. She loves to dance, and when we listen to Sugarland while eating breakfast/lunch... she is often caught dancing... along with her big sister and mom! It's so amazing watching her learn about the world around her. And it amazes me how much she takes in and understands. I love this stage. She is so fun, and can actually follow directions. (take your shoes off at the front door) Favorite foods... steamed carrots, cucumbers, yogurt (prefers the drinking kind), milk (bilk), strawberries, bananas, muffins, anything else that may be on mom's plate or in mom's bowl (of cereal) or in dad's hands. :) She's a mooch! :)
Nicknames... well, I often refer to her as my Cling-on... for obvious reasons... but a very fitting nickname given by Lola & Pocky- Rocket... and a rocket she certainly is. She often falls because she gets moving too fast for herself... and takes some dives... but she's a runner! Runs everywhere... usually away from Mom & Dad around bedtime! And she's usually laughing while moving too fast!
Ahhhh, good times. Life is great. I love my toddler. Even when I catch her sitting in the middle of the table playing with an apple (healthy choice at least, right?)... Even when I can't find my shoe because she wore it around the house and it is hiding under some toy. Even when I go to get her after her nap... and she is laying there on her back, arms straight in front of her, a look of horror on her face while there is poop all over her hand, her bed, her bedding, her in general... Even when she needs me in the middle of the night, when I have just fallen asleep...
I love my toddler. Life is great.
This picture can NEVER become lost. Tatum BEGGED me to let her wash the dishes (as she has a few times since this day)... Oh Tatum, I hope you never lose your love to wash dishes! (because, quite frankly, I have never found my love for dish washing... I do however, love the dishwasher) 
Listening to them just laughing at each other... LOVE their excitement
