Aftonisms (21-23 months)

Afton is almost two! Here are a few fun things we want to remember about this little girl at this stage.

Around Christmas time she got way more into baby dolls and she would constantly ask to "hold the by-bee (baby)" in the funniest little voice. She also asks to hold the baby when she sees the ultrasound photos of Baby Brother and so we let her carry those around.

She has gotten way into silly faces and she will hold that face until you acknowledge that she is being funny. Her most recent look, which just makes us laugh so hard every time she does it, is a little tilt of her head down with some seriously judging eyes. I have been trying to catch it on camera and I haven't been able to capture a picture or video that does it justice but here is a little glimpse of it:

Right after this look she will give you a big cheesy smile to let you know she was only joking.

Excited about her sticker from the doctor!

She is talking up a storm! Over the holidays one of our relatives asked how many words she can say and I didn't know how to respond. It's more like how many words can't she say since she will try just about anything you tell her to and repeat so many things she has heard. Her words are getting a lot more clear as well and other people can understand most of the words she says. She will sometimes get going so fast and her mouth can't keep up with her brain so she just ends up panting and saying "and, and, and" and then ending with "yeah..."

Her favorite past time is still look at pictures of herself. She will talk anyone who shows the slightest interest into letting them look through pictures on their phones.

With Uncle Zach

With Grandma Rita

She has a very sharp memory. She remembers things from ages ago that we don't necessarily talk about since it happened. She can also pick up on books that we have only read a couple of times and finish the sentences. She loves to talk about places we have been and people we have seen and talk about it over and over and over again.

She is relationship-driven. We have always known that but the more she grows the more we see how much she LOVES people!

Wearing ornament earrings with cousin Clara (although she only saw her twice over the holidays and not since August before that, Afton talks about Clara like they are best buds!)

She knows most of her letters (meaning she recognizes and can name them when she sees them written) and will sing the alphabet on her own, although she still skips some letters. She can also count to 13. Not sure why it's 13 except that she just picked up on it. After 13 she goes back to 7. We have been working on shapes and colors too and she just soaks it all up!

My favorite word which she says ALL THE TIME these days is "countern" meaning she wants to sit on the counter while I am cooking or doing dishes or my makeup/hair.

On the "countern" stirring dinner

We had a little go at the potty training business since she was interested in it all. But after a week or so I just decided to put it off until after her birthday. We still talk about it daily but I just think we are quite ready to take the plunge.

Playing in her undies

Christmas Eve and Day

Santa came and brought Afton her big present on Christmas Eve morning since we had plans to be down at the Sundwall's house on Christmas morning.

So on December 23rd we treated it like our own little Christmas Eve and put out some treats for Santa and talked to Afton about Santa coming. I'm sure Peter and I were more excited about it all than Afton was. On Christmas Eve morning Afton woke up to some art supplies from Santa and a few chocolate kisses (which were the highlight for her) and we exchanged all 3 of the gifts that were under our tree.

Peter and I gave Afton a train puzzle that makes sound. Peter gave me a new iPhone which he set the alarm on and woke me up with! He also got me a Nike shirt and a kitchen rug. And I gave Peter 12 months of planned dates. It was small but so fun and special for our little family!

Taking a picture with my new iPhone

Getting the batteries in the puzzle

After opening presents and eating some breakfast we headed down to the Sundwalls so we could catch Jessica's phone call from her mission! We got to Skype with her for her last 5 minutes before she had to go. Afton just smiled and beamed into the camera and was SO excited to see Aunt Jessica. Jessica sounded great and talking to her was a definite highlight of Christmas.

Christmas Eve evening we went to Aunt Bessie's for dinner and a show (a reader's theater of Christmas Carol). It was a hoot with all the goofballs we have in the family!

Scrooge and Bob Cratchit

Then we slept at the Sundwalls house and anxiously awaited Santa to visit a second time! Lucky us! Christmas morning was wonderful, as always, with the Sundwalls and Afton was in heaven being around so much family! She threw up during her nap due to so much fun and way too many treats without much substance to eat! Whoops!

Sound asleep

Wearing the "Junior Missionary" tag Jessica sent

Hanging out with Uncle Jeff

And then we headed over to the Millars where we got to see even more family and be even more spoiled with fun gifts and food!  (Which apparently I didn't capture any pictures of, only videos of Afton opening her stroller and playhouse from Grandma and Grandpa, and Afton dancing with the cousins to Just Dance).

Afton was literally the happiest girl for those few days because she got to be around her favorite people and be spoiled with CONSTANT attention! Peter and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves as well and realized that with kids and being around so much family Christmas just gets better and better every year!

Christmas Break

During December Peter kept asking our neighbors if they were excited/had fun plans for "the break" and I had to keep reminding him that people who live real life (not student life) don't usually get a "break" beyond a few days for Christmas and maybe New Years. We are grateful for the small perks that do come along with being students like having Peter to ourselves for 3 weeks once finals were finished. We tried to cram in as much fun as possible!

We took him around with us to our daily routines and activities (like the grocery store, library, and dance class) and he made it infinitely more fun!

 

Despite Afton's protests, Peter insisted that they go sledding a couple of times during the season and I think she did enjoy moments of it :).

This is the part she enjoyed the most! Check at that look she is giving her dad! So heartwarming!

Sledding "Olivia Style"-- getting pulled around on a sled in the backyard! Afton got to ride on Aunt Bessie's lap for one round while Olivia and cousins Ben, Sam, and Noah were sledding.

We also decided to buy a pass to the Discover Gateway children's museum to try it out during the winter months. So far Afton has loved spending time there and we are excited to go back more!

So excited to be riding the big horse!

On Loss and Big Sisters

I have hesitated writing about this since I kept most of my feelings in my personal journal and it is such a personal thing. But I have this picture and every time I see it my heart aches a little.

I took this picture one day when Afton and I were hanging out, she was 14 months old. I was about 5 weeks pregnant and Peter and I were so excited we could hardly wait to tell our families. We were debating about how long to wait but once I captured such perfect pictures of Afton with this sign I felt we just had to share!

Afton and that baby would have been just 22 months apart which is close but we felt so excited about it. Roughly six weeks after these pictures were taken, we found out that I miscarried the baby. I felt a lot of peace throughout the whole situation and knew that there were so many others who were in similar, but much harder situations. However, there is still heartache that comes along with any loss.

Seeing these pictures of such a tiny Afton getting ready to be a big sister (we would have that baby already if I hadn't miscarried) is so sad. But looking back I am grateful to have had this experience that has made me so much more empathetic toward others and given me a greater appreciation for the miracle that having a baby is.

And in the end, these pictures still apply. Afton will be a big sister soon. She is just worlds different now then she was then (and likely much more ready to have a baby in the house)! We know that God is aware of our family, our needs, and our situation and believe that He will continue to bless us if we put our trust in His plan.

A few outtakes: