Raya Recently- 22 Months!

Ms. Raya
Today you are 22 months AND the date is 2.22.11. Well didn't that work out nicely ;) Love fun numbers.

All dressed up for 22months! ;)

Well, this was the month you started sleeping in your new bed. You only sleep there about half the night, but that's fine by me! If you come get in bed with us you sleep until at least 8, so I'll take it. The last few weeks you've been sleeping alot. I try and put you to bed by 8. Sometimes you're asleep by then, and sometimes I get caught up watching American Idol (or Jersey Shore-don't judge) and your bedtime gets pushed back a little. Either way, you're asleep by 10 and sleep in until 8:30 or 9. So we're all well rested!
You've been having some Eczema issues this month. Poor baby. It seems to be getting better, but it's been a lot of work! And you've dealt with it so well. I have to lotion you up at least 3 times a day, usually 4, and most of the time you don't fight it. That's been awesome. And as much as it itches, I'd expect you to be a little more feisty, but you really haven't. You've been a champ! Even in the early morning when you wake up because the itching is driving you crazy, you're fine. I know I'd be beyond frustrated and probably cry. You just try and go back to sleep :) You are one tough cookie!

Helping get the mail

This month you've taught yourself how to use my phone. Well not for the reason you'd use a phone, but for the reason most people buy the iPhone-the Apps! Nana got an ipad a few months back and she showed you how to open apps and use your finger to slide through the pages. Well, the other day I watched you grab my phone, unlock it, and then flip through the 4 pages of apps until you found the page of baby game apps. You've never really played with my phone before, other than to watch Wow Wow Wubbzy on Youtube, so it was so funny to watch you flip through the pages and look for specific apps. It really seemed like you knew there was a page with baby game apps and you knew you just had to flip through them until you found them, which you did with ease. It also made you look like such a little kid, and not my little baby :( I hate that part!

You climb this ALL DAY LONG,
so I might as well get a cute picture of you at it

You're still doing great as the Big Sis. You love having Kallen around. You're not obsessed with him like he's your favorite toy, but you like to be sweet with him and get close to his face and nuzzle him or kiss him. Now when I take you up to bed and tell you to give Daddy and the Baby kisses good night you walk right up to him and kiss him on the lips and then kiss Daddy. Its the SWEETEST THING EVER. You like to hold him and sometimes get a little pissed when I take him back. A couple times you've gotten upset when I leave with him and you're not sure where we are going.

You're 26lbs and I'm guessing about 36inches. You are officially out of all your 12month clothes. You fit a lot of your 18month clothes, but the pants are all high waters and your 18month jeans are getting tight on your waist. I buy all 24month pants and 2T or 3T tops for you. You wear a size 7 shoe, you could probably fit a 7.5-yes, that's pretty big for a 22month old. You're still alot taller than most kids your age. You are extremely active and athletic. You've got a really great throw, you easily run and kick a ball, you're FAST and fearless and you can jump with both feet off the ground. (Wow Kelsey, brag a little?)

Animal print on Animal print= Jersey girl in training

You are a cuddle bug. If you are snuggled and playing with my hair you fall asleep so quickly. Oh and I keep forgetting to write about this, but you LOVE skin. I think it started when I was pregnant and you'd always want to lay your head on my belly. Now, when you're sleepy, if I'm wearing capri pants you get on the floor next to me and put your face against the exposed part of my leg. If your Dad or I are wearing a tank top or shorts you rest your face on our arms or legs. When I put you down for a nap you put my forearm over your eyes or against your cheek. There's something about skin against your face that's very soothing to you. It's pretty cute.

You and your bodyguard (aka Dad)

Can you tell Mr. Bubble man was preforming?

Wellll, now begins the countdown to 2!!! I can't believe my baby is so close to 2 years old. Kinda breaks my heart, but its so fun watching you grow and seeing the new things you do and watching your own little personality develop. You are such a fun, sweet girl. You are the best part of my day. Its impossible not to smile when you're around. I'm a ridiculously lucky Mom. Thanks for being the best daughter a girl could ask for!
Love You Raya Bug!
XoXo,
Mom

What Would You Do?

Sooo, on a totally unrelated note. I'm watching the show "What Would You Do?" If you've never seen it, its hidden cameras capturing how people react when they're thrust into real-life ethical scenarios.  It's about seeing if they mind their own business or step in.  For example, tonight's episode is about a guy sitting in a diner and another man overhears him talking about the fact that he has AIDS and then refuses to touch the same menu or even sit by him. Both these guys are the actors. They tape the other customers to see what they'll do and the majority of them help the man with "AIDS" and yell at the other guy. Don't even get me started on the gay family that went out to dinner and the waiter harassed the gay parents (the gay couple, 2 kids and waiter were the actors.) THAT was touching. Ten years ago I find it hard to believe that customers would've stood up for the same kind of family like they did in this episode. I'm so proud to be a part of this generation.
Anyways, the show always makes me cry. Tears of joy for sure ;) It's SO amazing to watch these people do the right thing. Like, there's really ALOT of good people in this world. My Friday nights use to be about dancing till I sweat my makeup off and scoring free drinks. Now its watching "What Would You Do" and crying because I'm so moved by the goodness of strangers. And reminded that there's more good in this world than there is bad. Oh man, does this make me boring?! HAHA. I'm kidding. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Unless its with a stranger offering goodness through a free margarita. And chips and salsa. Oh wait, how about "What Would You Do," margaritas and chips and salsa. Now THAT would make me cry tears of joy ;)
Happy Friday Night!

Raya Recently

Welllll, we rarely wear anything other than pajamas around here :) So when I get Raya dressed you betta believe I put great thought into what she will be putting on AND I specifically plan a 15 minute camera break into our day :) HAHA. Hilarious. But its so true. And boys still aren't as fun to dress. Since I've brought little big man home I've been keeping a very open mind about boys clothes. I've been given some cute stuff so I get him as "cute" as possible, but there's nothing like opening Raya's closet and deciding what to put on her. Yes, its very similar to dressing up my cabbage patch kids or Barbies :) I'm pretty sure the one boy cabbage patch kid I had never changed his clothes, and weren't Ken's clothes painted on him? I don't even remember. See! Its not my fault. Society (and my father) breed me this way.
Ok, back to Raya. We've had a tough few days...about 2 weeks ago she started getting a rash on the top of her foot that she was scratching. After about a week it was getting a little larger and I noticed it on her hand and wrist too. So we went to see her Doc and she told us it was eczema. Poor kid. She's always had sensitive skin and a little tiny bit of eczema on the back of her neck, but it never flared up into a full blown rash. So for the last week I've been putting the ointment the doc prescribe on it and I was instructed to lotion her 3 to 4 times a day. REALLY!?!? Have you tried lotioning an almost 2 year old 3-4 times a day. It's like trying to catch a wet fish with your bear hands 3 to 4 times a day. With a newborn strapped to your chest. Ah, fun times. I've been able to do it 2 times a day, but that's not enough. She woke up this morning with it on the back of her knee and underarm. So 4 times a day it is! Basically she just shines all day because I coat her in vaseline. She's done great though. If I can distract her with cartoons or bribe her with fruit snacks I can get it done. I'm hoping if I keep everything super moist for the next week we'll get through these flare ups. If not, I'll have to go get some steroid creme. On a side note my cuticles and hands are extremely moisturized. Ps- If you've dealt with eczema please pass along any tips you have! Her hands are the hardest to keep moisturized...It's only day 2 of "all day lotion" and then I cover the areas with Aquaphor and so far its looking better.

This was her impromptu Valentine's Day outfit. I had another one with a Fabulous bow,  but this it what she ended up in. i LOVE the jeans. They're "boyfriend" fit and almost too small :( And Gentry HATES that they're called "boyfriend" fit. HAHAHA! Like he really gets mad about it. Anytime someone says "Raya" and "boyfriend" in the same conversation Dad gets mad. 

Wish they made this jacket in my size  

Here's some pictures of her this past week:

This was my favorite!!!
Shirt from our cousin Bella (Baby Gap)
Boyfriend Jeans (Children's Place)
Leopard Shoes!!! (ebay)

I love her hair in this one. Little blonde tips :)

Basketball game attire...I bought this dress for her when she was still in my belly. It's a 2T. I remember thinking, "She's not going to wear this for years!" And now she fits it. 

She always wants to hold both of our hands so we can swing her.

She LOVES popcorn