Leighton 2.0

Today my beautiful daughter you turn TWO! I have decided you may turn 3, but after that you are forbidden to age any more. ;)


I can't believe how radically my life and perspective has changed since the moment you entered this world 2 years ago. We both have grown and changed together. I love you more today then I did two years ago and that seems unimaginable. You have brought such joy and laughter, and yes a few tears and tantrums to our home, but it has been so fun to watch you come into your own and continue to figure out who you are.

We love you sweet girl. Happy Birthday!

Here is the 4-1-1 on your second year of life.

You are at such a fun age, especially now that you are talking more. You are starting to say the darnedest things. I foresee a new segment on my blog called "Things Lo says."

I love you being a little chatterbox. It is so nice to know what you want 95% of the time.

My new favorite words are: bummer, MiKA (Micah), ParD (party), YES!, ummy (yummy), pump, and nurse. I even am surprised at your short two word phrases. Please note all words are said with a Northern accent. HA!

You are rockin' it at the sign language. You pick up on signs in just seconds, which amazes me. Can't figure out colors or numbers, but this you get!


Biggest milestone by far this year is you are POTTY TRAINED! Seriously, this is so awesome, I have forgotten how much I loathe changing diapers all day. I am already on a 17 month countdown until it is Micah's turn. :)


Nicknames you have acquired this year: Grace, Bossy Bessie and bounce house on top of the ones you previously hold. Lo, Olivia, little sister, and Lo Lo girl.

Favorite activities are gymnastics, coloring/writing, reading, watching Elmo or a multitude of other shows, feeding the ducks (when it is nice out) and just running around like a crazy child.


Favorite foods are anything Italian and Mexican. Cheese and graham crackers. You love to eat and snack. We are really working on our snacking habits. Currently everyday for your snack you get carrots, raisins or cheese with milk. Like clockwork every night right before bed you request a chocolate graham cracker and milk...thank you daddy for that!


You love to play happy/sad with me. I tell you I am "sad" because you won't give me a kiss, then you do and you yell HAPPY! You really get people's emotions and are starting to show empathy for them. If you see someone on tv you will tell us whether they are happy or sad.


Whenever you see that ugly bird {aka the Jayhawk} you stick you thumb down and say "yuck." On the other hand when you see Wildcat you yell "GO-GO!"

You love to yell "ONE" at me all the time when you ask for things like watching Elmo or demanding a graham cracker. You do this because I am always firmly saying "one time or only one cracker." HA!

I love your excited face when you discover things it is so precious and genuine.


You have a love affair with all things musical. Maybe you will be the next Taylor Swift some day. You are actually starting to sing along, quiet loudly to songs and have to have a microphone and guitar in your hands whenever you are doing so.

Since bringing Micah home you mimic everything I do with him with your own dolls. If I nurse, you nurse (which is hilarious!), if I am changing diapers so are you.


You are such a little mommy with me and I love it. You are definitely a big helper around here. No jealous at all just lots of love for your brother. You love to give him toys, because you know how a newborn "needs" their toys. ;)


We have now started the "timer game." I am trying to work with you on the concept of time. So my mom suggested setting the timer in short increments. So before bed/nap I tell you, you have 10 minutes and when the beep beep goes off we must go to bed. You love to hear the beep beep and if you don't it upsets you. It is a must in our bed/nap ritual now.

Speaking of bedtime, your insist only on your daddy putting you to bed when he is home. Mommy just won't do anymore at least since Micah arrived. Makes me a bit sad, but glad you and daddy can have some needed special time everyday.



Your bedtime is around 730p and you sleep until 7ish give or take a half hour. You still struggle falling right to sleep most nights. Thus, why I am still not ready to transition you to a big girl bed, because it will equal more work for mommy and mommy is tired. Soon though.

You still wear 18m clothes, but starting to fit into 24m (tops only).
Shoes are size 5
Diaper (for naps and bed) size 3

Rough mommy stats: we go to the doctor next week.
Ht: 30.5in Dr Stats: Ht 31.75
Wt: 23# Dr. Stats: Wt: 23#
And all of your teeth have broken through!

We love you princess and can't wait to watch you grow and learn over the next year!

Happy Second Birthday!

Birth day

First Birthday

18 Months

Two!

Editor's Note: Something that should have taken me 20 minutes has taken me all day thanks to two very needy kids! HA! So sorry for any errors.

Happy...

Birthday to my "firstborn" Tucker James.


Today you are 5. You were our first baby and while you annoy the dickens out of me with your obsessive behavior we still love you! Bless your heart you have survived 3 new additions to our family in those short 5 years. You were the poodle that helped me move on after losing my poodle Buddy. And for that I will always love you and keep you around, even if sometimes I pretend I don't. :)



Valentine's Day to all!

Here are my two little Valentines.
Leighton who missed being born on Valentine's Day by one measly day! Tomorrow you turn two!


And Micah who avoided the day by arriving 4 weeks early. My silly kids, didn't they know how badly I wanted a Valentine's Day baby?! ;) I guess Tuck you are it!


And the love of my life who gave me my two precious Valentines! I love you, thanks for being you and bringing love and laughter to our home.

10 Things

So my friend Kelley over at Daily Sips tagged me in this blog award! Thanks for the award, I do hope people find my blog Versatile...I do try and keep it real. :)


The game. Tell your readers 10 things about yourself that they may not know.

Game on.

1. I am a dietitian that hates to cook/bake. {Most are under the impression we are "foodies" and love to do all that stuff, so people come to me asking about cooking, sorry not my thing} I just like being healthy and helping others achieve healthy lifestyles.

2. If I could be anything, besides a SAHM and RD, I would love to do something with science. More specifically biology or genetics. Whether that be a HS biology teacher or a geneticist. Science just fascinates me and I love that I get it when so many don't. I worked hard to teach myself science {no thanks to my college professors} and think that it is the one think I could teach others.

3. I stink at teaching. Yes, I realize that is in direct contrast to the aforementioned statement, but for the most part if you don't get it, I don't know how to help you. I also find it hard to teach my daughter things. She doesn't know her colors or numbers, but hey I did get her potty trained at 18 months, so that should count for something.

4. I talk to myself. A lot. And now that my phone is randomly calling people, I fear that they will hear me. Like my littlest sister did the other day when I was singing my heart out in the car.

5. My favorite pastime is napping. Sadly, this hobby of mine gets little attention!

6. My favorite {new} snack is edamame. Mmmm, good.

7. I have read 4 books since the new year. 1.5 of those post baby! This is very impressive if I do say so myself.

8. I have to play video games every night before bed. Oh wait, that is my husband. I am having trouble coming up with 10 things.

9. If I could possess one power it would be to "orb" or teleport. Seriously, how awesome would it be to just "blink" and be somewhere else in an instant! Best power hands down.

10. I have to finish my night time snacking on salty. No, wait that is my husband again. I have to finish on sweet.

So play along. Everyone is tagged. Tell me 10 random, or not so random things I don't already know about you!