How is this love muffin seriously about to turn two already???
Penny and I accompanied Alan to a work conference in Illinois a few weeks ago. They held it in the same place as they did last year, the Lincolnshire Marriott. As soon as we found out we would all be able to go, I knew exactly what outfit I was packing for Penny to romp around in :)
We had a blast playing on their jungle gym, taking advantage of their swimming pools and hanging out in the room while Alan was at work. I had completely forgotten about the left hand pic, there was a cuter one that I had known well, but when I went to find it to compare with the picture on the right, this one was found and it matched so much better. I love that her expressions are so similar! Highlights how much she has changed in the past year.
She is becoming more and more a child rather than a baby with every day that passes. She has quite the vocabulary: She literally learns a dozen words a day. Today her big one today was, "Dadda.... look... I'm naked! I'm naked, Dadda! Look!" as she ran into the house from swimming in the yard. She was still wearing most of her swim suit... but she was close. I was just impressed that she knew the word "naked"!
We have been cracking down on potty training the last few weeks. She has shown interest since she started walking, we just never made the time to sit down and be consistent with it until recently. We're about 75% of the way there. Definitely need diapers during naps and on outings still... and we're working on wearing underwear right now. She can't always get them down in time, so we end up with some accidents still. She has the right idea though and I anticipate that she'll be all the way there by her birthday next month.
Penny and I accompanied Alan to a work conference in Illinois a few weeks ago. They held it in the same place as they did last year, the Lincolnshire Marriott. As soon as we found out we would all be able to go, I knew exactly what outfit I was packing for Penny to romp around in :)
We had a blast playing on their jungle gym, taking advantage of their swimming pools and hanging out in the room while Alan was at work. I had completely forgotten about the left hand pic, there was a cuter one that I had known well, but when I went to find it to compare with the picture on the right, this one was found and it matched so much better. I love that her expressions are so similar! Highlights how much she has changed in the past year.
She is becoming more and more a child rather than a baby with every day that passes. She has quite the vocabulary: She literally learns a dozen words a day. Today her big one today was, "Dadda.... look... I'm naked! I'm naked, Dadda! Look!" as she ran into the house from swimming in the yard. She was still wearing most of her swim suit... but she was close. I was just impressed that she knew the word "naked"!
We have been cracking down on potty training the last few weeks. She has shown interest since she started walking, we just never made the time to sit down and be consistent with it until recently. We're about 75% of the way there. Definitely need diapers during naps and on outings still... and we're working on wearing underwear right now. She can't always get them down in time, so we end up with some accidents still. She has the right idea though and I anticipate that she'll be all the way there by her birthday next month.
As requested, here are some ideas as to some things Penelope would surely love for her Birthday:
- Penny LOVES playing house and taking care of her baby dolls. She currently has three baby dolls, two will likely be donated before the move because they are not the best quality and are too worn to hold on to. The 3rd is a fabric doll, which she loves, but it seems that she has been gravitating toward the plastic, more realistic looking baby dolls now. The doll pictured above is from the American Girl store - she's called Bitty Baby. The Diaper bag set is from Pottery Barn Kids.
- Penny loves helping mommy clean! This toy vacuum by Target's brand, Circo is super cute!
- We will be having a Finding Nemo themed birthday party for Penny on August 15th. She LOVES the movie. I downloaded it to my ipod for her, so every time she sees my ipod she SQUEALS, "Memo! Memo!"
- Tea is our favorite clothing brand of all time. Above is our current favorite outfit from their new fall line, however we would definitely love anything from this company!
- As far as clothes go, we are in need of size 3T cotton 2-piece pajamas, size 3t undies, and size 7 or 8 shoes/sandals! All outfits should be bought in size 4t as we are pretty set for 3t clothes. Please remember that Penelope has eczema, her skin is very sensitive, so she cannot wear synthetic fabrics. 100% cotton is a must!
- The above cuteness is a lunch bag by skip hop! I saw it while shopping the other day. I die! We have their Penquin backpack and love it :) They also have matching eating sets and bibs. TOO CUTE!
Penelope is graduating from her high chair, we will not be bringing it with us. Sans eating tray, this booster seat would be perfect for giving her the extra height she needs at the table.
- Books! We can always use more! We are starting to build a library of hardcover books, as Penny is graduating from the board books. She has been showing an interest in I Spy and pop-up books lately.
- Gift Cards: we plan to build Penny an addition with a slide to her current swing set, so gift cards for Home Depot would be appreciated. Other stores we frequent: Old Navy, Target, Baby Gap, Gymboree, Crazy8, Pottery Barn Kids, Toys'R'Us
Some other fun ideas:
Play-doh and play tools
finger paint and paper
coloring books
Melissa and Doug paint brushes and paint cups
...anything Melissa and Doug for that matter...
stickers and/or sticker books
play tunnel
deep purple chuck taylor / converse shoes (size 7 or 8)
saddle/accessory bag for the Trunki
wooden play food sets
