Finley is 18 Months

These beautiful pictures are just a sneak peak of our photo session with Katelyn of Katelyn Owens Photography. She did an amazing job and I can't wait to show you more of them later this week!)

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My sweet girl,

Today you are 18 months old. A year and a half! You are getting closer and closer to being a toddler. (But, for now, I'll still call you "baby." For now being for a long, long time...)



Today you also had your very first swim lesson and quite out of the ordinary for late June it waspouring rain. It was a mommy and me class that we happen to be the only ones in. Our teacher let us get in the pool a few minutes early and play on the steps where you happily practiced saying "mmmm" and putting your lips under, (I've had a bit of practice with the old mommy and me classes!), but as soon as class started and you were forced to do laps of "kickers," "dig and pulls," and "mmmm's" you were not happy. You had a little scowl on your face, then cried and screamed and clung to me. I wasn't sure why you were doing this- were you still a little sleepy from just waking up from your nap? do you just like to do what you want when you want?



At the end of class we went back over to the steps and the teacher starting blowing bubbles. You lit up and started talking and acting like your usual self. You said, "bubbles! more bubbles, please" and "thank you!" as she blew. The teacher also suggested that you had a difficult time because you were cold- your little lips were purple, you had goosebumps and were shivering. Hopefully Thursday, when it's supposed to be warmer, you will be much more cooperative (please, little lady?).



You're still such a chatterbug and I'm a proud, proud mama. I try and get you to show off for anyone and everyone, but you are less than cooperative. You pretty much say everything, but my favorites are "I love you," "thank you" (which you say unprompted. I'm very impressed!) and when you repeat after me and pray for your brothers, "Dear God, thank you for Judah. In Jesus name, Amen." Tonight as I was saying Judah you made sure to add in, "GeeGee!" (Samuel). Also, your choice of friends totally cracks me up. When I try to get you to say hi to my friends or sweet girls doting on you you decide if you want to or not, but you are always saying "hi!" and "bye!" and "goodnight" to big, burly men, the homeless man on a bike at the park, and anyone looking grumpy. (Maybe this is a glimpse of your character?)



Some of your favorite things (and words to say) are balloon, Cap-Cap (for Captain), doggy, kitty, pool, swimming, milk, milk-me (I saw milky for nursing, but milk-me sounds appropriate....like a cow!), nana (banana), cheese, up, out (to put you down or get your out of your high chair or carseat or anywhere that you're buckled or strapped in). You love to dance and sing and climb and are so active and healthy and perfect.

I know you know this, but I hope you know this every second of your life. I adore you, Finley Grace.

Love, Mama