The Ford Family: January 2013

We have had a pretty crazy month! Josie has changed so much, despite battling RSV and killer teething. She is talking a lot and is showing her little personality more and more. Here are some sweet things:

-kissy face: Josie gives LOTS of kisses and makes the cutest little fish face when she puckers up
-"veggie tay" (veggie tale): she can't get enough of her veggie tale movie. She says lots of things: bottom, belly button, shoes, socks, eye, nose, teeth, baby, a better version of Ellie, night-night, blankie, pee-eww, meow, ruff-ruff, neiiiigh, kitty, juice, Lucy...I'm sure I'm missing some. Ooooh! Kaka and Papa.
-little gymnast: she is waaay younger than the other kids in her class, but she keeps up so well! She can do her own forward roll (on a ramp) and is the first out of the block pit every time. Her teachers commented that she is all muscle, which I found hilarious because nobody has ever uttered those words about Seth, Ellie, or me.
-Climber: I really have to keep my eye on this little monkey. Today I found her standing ON TOP of the back of a (child sized) chair. She was on her tippy-toes. Ha! So no surprise: I laid her down for her nap today but could hear her babbling a bit - then a big boom. I assumed she was standing in her crib, fell, and hit her head. As I headed to her room she started to cry...but it sounded different, like it was coming from a different place. It was: just on the other side of her bedroom door. Evidently the big boom was her landing on the floor! Little Stinker worked her blankie out from between the slats and then came to the door and began crying. She had a poopie diaper. I changed it and laid her back down. She fell fast asleep. Heart attack.
-independent eater: girl can wield a fork!
-boss: sweet Ellie is such a fantastic big sister. Josie is a little....heavy handed with her. Ellie is so patient and (so far) doesn't retaliate. She's taken a beating (literally) as Josie tries to assert herself by hitting and hair pulling. Ellie calls for me and tries to protect herself...bless her heart! She tells me that Josie is a baby and hasn't learned that we don't hit.

Meanwhile, Ellie is really into learning to read and spell. She is working on three letter -at words. It's awesome to listen to her invent stories to tell and make little life revelations. She told me yesterday that when I turn 30 I need to stop and wait for her to turn 30 too...then we will go to heaven together. Evidently 30 is really old. The most rewarding part of being her parent is watching her interest in and heart for the Lord grow. She is a very aware little girl. As I mentioned above, she is a great sister. She is so inclusive of her sister. Recently she was alone with ReeRee and was allowed to pick out a toy. She made sure Josie had one, too, choosing matching mermaid dolls for she and sissy. If Josie is having a hard time and is fussy, Ellie is so proud to find ways to cheer her up. She runs and gets her purple monkey from Grumpa or her blankie - both are sure fixes. I love her little heart.

Little Mama