16 months old

Emily is now 16 months old. That just sounds older than 15 months, doesn't it? She's quite the little character. She continues to add to her vocabulary daily. The most recent words have been "pash" (splash), "keez" (squeeze) "yak", "spies" (spiders) and "mouse"--very random. She also asks for some of her favorite foods: "Kix", "bach-ee" (broccoli), "app-sus" (applesauce), "cake" & "cookie". :o)

We had a 4-week bout of hives that still has no known cause, but Emily is better now and has medicine to control them if they come back. Thankfully, she escaped all the other nastiness going around over the past month. Austin & I did not, but we decided better us than her!

We have had a lot of fun playing outside more recently as the weather has somewhat cooperated. Emily is getting really good at walking around in the snow as long as it's not too deep or icy. Although, she still enjoys falling down on purpose and making snow angels (with a little help). She also still loves her sled, but we all long for the day we can take the wagon out instead.

Some of Emily's other favorite activities are stacking blocks, trying to put on Mommy & Daddy's clothes (especially shoes) and reading. (see next post for more on that)

Remember that all our pictures can be viewed on Winkflash and the videos for February are posted below.

Cool Crocs

I've always wanted a pair of Crocs and had the opportunity to get some last weekend. I also got a little pink pair for Emily and she thinks they're pretty cool! She's all ready for summer. :o)

Snowman

We had some fun family time in the backyard on Sunday. Here is Megan & Emily with their snowman. :o)

Fresh air at last!

Emily & I experienced some blessed fresh air at last this afternoon. The sunshine was glorious and there wasn't a breath of wind. Even though it was only 20 degrees and the driveway is still a sheet of ice, we took a walk with the sled around the block. Unfortunately, it was a short walk because Emily did not care to wear her mittens today and decided being outside wasn't so much fun after all after dragging her hands in the snow and getting them wet and cold. Oh well. Tomorrow promises to be another sunny day. There is a ray of hope that spring might actually come again!

The daughter of her father...

Emily has an obsession with lids (or "lis" as she calls them). Any time she notices a lid is off something she points it out and insists that it be put back on properly. In addition, she is ardent about putting things "back" where they came from. This includes stuffing popped up Kleenexes back into the box. I suppose that's better than the alternative action. ;o) She also LOVES the "back-oom" (vacuum) and follows it around everywhere. She has figured out how to remove the attachments, and of course, put them "back". Have we created another neat-freak Lorenzen or a little monster?!?

Silly Goose..updated

Emily has now figured out how to climb up onto the kitchen chairs. I called her a "silly goose" when she did it, so now everytime she's climbing up she says "goose" over and over. One of these days I'll catch her on video. ;o)

Here's a video montage. There is an example of Emily not being a silly goose in the video player at the bottom of the blog.

Boots are fun!

Austin & I were sick with miserable head colds over the weekend and are still trying to recover. Fortunately, Emily was and is happy and healthy. There was a blizzard outside, so she decided it would be fun to wear her boots inside!

Happy Valentine's Day!

A special video message from Emily...

Videos

I have decided to divide videos up by the month. The current month will always be available at the bottom of the blog. Previous months will be available as a post at the end of each month and can be accessed using the archive links on the left.

Weekend in Des Moines

We hung out with the Lorenzen family in Des Moines last weekend. Emily had fun making messes with her cousin, Asher.

Big shoes, Little spaces

Emily seems to like to try and fit into things that aren't quite her size. :o)

Fun with Grandpa & Grandma Lorenzen

Grandpa & Grandma Lorenzen came up from Des Moines to babysit Emily on Saturday. They had lots of fun!

Check out Emily's new shades! (and mommy's slippers)

Grandpa Lorenzen spent a LONG time reading Emily's new favorite book - The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle.