A Little P Update (15 Months)

Presley had her 15 month check-up a couple of weeks ago and I can hardly believe how fast my little girl is growing up! It just breaks my heart--she didn't stay little for very long! At 15 months, P is 31.5 inches long (80th percentile) and weighs 21-22 pounds (15th percentile). She's long and lean and incredibly smart (although, I may be little biased ;) ). Here are a few tidbits:

• Presley is a chatterbox. We've stopped counting her words but, she pretty much repeats everything we say. Her new favorites are "whoops," "bop bop" (for iPad--yes, she asks for the iPad, even in her sleep), nose, ear, eyes, ice, please (sounds like "meese") and "oh man." She understands about 90% of what we say.
• She knows all of her body parts, animals and their sounds, foods, articles of clothing, and most of her dinnerware (still working on the difference between a spoon and a fork and she's not very familiar with knives, thank goodness!) We are also starting to work on colors, shapes and numbers. She notices letters and numbers and points them out everywhere (license plates, clothes, signs, etc) and says "ahhh." So, she knows there's something to them, now it's time to start teaching her!
• She can now tell you how old she is.
• P seems to be more naturally inclined to sports rather than art. She loves to dribble her little soccer ball around and can throw and catch (most of the time) her balls. She also likes to make baskets in her basketball hoop. She loves to run and is learning how to jump. She's not too interested in coloring yet but, she does love to sing and, especially, dance. She loves to have dance parties and has some pretty sweet moves.
• P has such a big personality for such a little person. She says "hi" to everyone and loves to be silly. During lesson time in nursery, she started doing her silly laugh and quickly had all of the other little ones laughing and being silly too. She's not shy around other kids, big or small, but has recently started having a bit of separation anxiety (I know it's a part of this stage but, it does make be feel a little special ;-) ).
• She has always been, and continues to be, a great sleeper. She sleeps 12-13 hours a night and take at least one 2-3 hour nap each day. She loves to read stories and cuddle before bedtime and then usually goes right to sleep without a fuss. Jeff and I love to watch and listen to her on the monitor as she jabbers at, and laughs with, her stuffed animal friends. Apparently, they think she's pretty funny too.
• P is also a great eater. Girlfriend never misses a meal and never lets anyone eat alone. She's not too picky, as long as she can feed it to herself.
• She's learned how to fold her arms for prayers and loves to say "Amen" (with gusto) at the end. She's starting to do it without prompting by us, and she often folds her arms and tells us she wants to pray randomly throughout the day. So, we say a little prayer every time she tells us too--we're supposed to pray always, right? It's a good lesson and reminder for us!
• P also started noticing the anatomical differences between boys and girls. After a few awkward encounters, Jeff now has to make sure he's clothed around the little one.

I just love being Presley's Momma. Every day I'm grateful for the time we get to spend together and how much joy she has brought to my life. It's amazing to watch her learn and grow and I'm humbled by the influence I am in her life. She's my little sponge and it's my incredible responsibility to make sure she's absorbing the right things. However, I'm a sponge too. As I reflect at the end of each day I often wonder, who's teaching who?

St. Patrick's Day Easter Party

We decided to celebrate Easter with my family a little early this year (and completely forgot St. Patrick's Day...Oops!). We went to Tampa for a weekend of fun, good company, and delicious food (as usual).

In preparation for the main event, the big Easter egg hunt, we have been having practice egg hunts with Presley for a couple of weeks. She caught on right away and loves it! We tell her to go in her room and wait while we hide the eggs, and she does! Then she races around, holding my hand, finding her eggs and the treats inside. It's been a lot of fun!

The weather in Tampa was beautiful so, we spent a lot of time outside. P was especially excited by the fun bubbles that her cousins gave her for her birthday. Although, the blowing utensils are a little questionable in their form--I suppose P doesn't know they resemble drug paraphernalia so it's okay, right?

 

Grammy and Grandfather gave her a fun Easter basket and we've been having lots of fun playing with all of the "monkeys jumping on a bed"

After Jeff and Jay got home from an event with Tim Tebow (Tim touched Jeff's shoulder and it was healed miraculously. I touched Jeff' shoulder and felt the magic, even secondarily), we had the big hunt. We dressed in our Easter finery (P has the cutest sandals to go with this dress but, who like walking around in the Florida crab grass in sandals? Not I!) and we were off!

P was so excited she was reluctant to put her loot in her basket.

But, once she realized she really did need her hands to collect more, and especially to eat the treats inside, she filled that basket right up! You'll notice that in many of these pictures her cheeks are full of treats---she's a Tobler, when there's food to be eaten, there's no need to wait!

We sure had fun celebrating Easter on St. Patrick's Day! Now for a couple more weeks of egg hunting before the real big day arrives!

Spring Break with Gramma and Grampa Tobler

We were happy to have Jeff's parent's visit for his (last) spring break (ever)! To celebrate this momentous occasion, we took off for a two day adventure in Savannah, GA. Savannah is our kind of place. Beautiful scenery, fine accommodations, and you pretty much stroll around until you've digested enough to justify another delicious meal and/or snack.

Presley seemed to really enjoy it too. Lots of street performers to dance to.

And plenty of stairs to climb!

 

She was also impressed with the food. (I think she was really excited about the size of my meatball pizza)

 

"More, please" (or meeese, as it sounds)

 

 

There are many beautiful parks to explore.

 

And lots of fun people to watch (even the ones that came with us)!

  

 

We had an unfortunate flat tire. But, with a quick call to AAA we were soon on our way to Goose Feathers for brunch. I may, or may not, have eaten a Belgian waffle with vanilla frozen yogurt on top (my, oh my).

While we waited for AAA, we explored the fountains in the park. Too bad it was chilly, I'm sure P would've loved to run (naked) and play in them!

 

She never let Grampa get too far out of her sight. We try not to encourage favorites but, she really thought her Grampa was special!

After so much food and excitement, she passed out in her stroller en route to the big playground, which she missed entirely.

The fountain was dyed green in preparation for St. Patrick's Day. I think we were the only park-goers not wearing green!

  

 

 
We spent some time monkeying around and getting our wiggles out before driving back home.

The next day, Jeff and our guests spent the day exploring the Rainbow River by canoe and feasting on some fried, Southern delicacies (frog legs).

And after church on Sunday, we had a lovely dinner with the Draney's. The Draney and Tobler families are long-time friends from Pasco, WA. It's fun to have a family here that has so much history with Jeff's family!

 

It was a fun, but quick, visit and we are excited to have them back in a couple of months for Jeff's graduation. P was especially sad that her Grampa left! And we are all a little sad that after 10 spring breaks, Jeff will not have another one! It's now a sprint to the big finish!