That's what she said

Aria's really starting to say a lot of funny things right now in her efforts to become more communicative with human-kind. Of course, as her mom, I think everything she says is adorable, but some of them I really didn't want to forget, so I'm writing them down now.

She's starting her counting and ABC's, but can't really get them in the right order. Counting normally goes like "2, 9, 3, 9, 9!" and her ABC's always end with D.

Her favorite foods right now are fruits, especially "boo-berries" and "matter-melon" although "ta-ta's" are a close second.... don't know what a ta-ta is? That's ok - it took us a couple of weeks. It's a strawberry, and no, we have no idea why she calls them that.

Learning to eat with a spoon
all by herself

She now very clearly says "tank you" and - my favorite - "bwess you," but only says "welcome" if you remind her. She'll say "pwees" all day long if it gets her food, which it usually does. You just can't resist those big eyes and adorable little mouth as she points at your food and says, "mommy, pwees?" It's too cute.

She still loves Elmo, although she's starting to learn the rest of the Sesame Street muppets and is falling in love with every single one of them. Current favorites are Burt and Ernie and Abbie, the fairy, although Cookie Monster held a special place in her heart for a long time. I think it's because they shared a common interest.
She now also loves cartoons with "mong-eeeees" (monkeys) in them, specifically Curious George.
She's going through another "bookie" phase where she wants to read a couple books every time she goes down or wakes up from a nap. I don't at all mind this, but one can only read "Go, Dog, Go" so many times.

Swimming all by herself on
family vacation.

Her new favorite summertime pastime is swimming, hands down. She gets incredibly excited whenever you start talking about "the cool" or pulling out towels and bathing suits. She's actually quite good at it, and is completely fearless in the water.

She still doesn't have a huge interest in dolls, but her love of shoes far and above makes up for it. It dosn't matter if they're infant sized booties, Uncle Zak's work shoes or anything in between, she wants to wear them and walk around the house. Her shoes, though? Well, she'll take those off first chance she gets...

I can't believe my baby girl is going to be 2 in less than a month. It's crazy how time flies. 

Toddler Intelligence...

Me: "Aria, can you say 'trick or treat!' "
Aria: "RAWR!"
Me: "No.... trick or treat!"
Aria: "BOO!"
Me: "Kinda... Trick or treat" (said very slowly)
Aria: "Cookie?"

... I think she knows more than she's letting on....

Communication is Key!

One of Josh and my biggest frustrations with raising a small, very strongly-willed child is the inability to communicate or understand their forms of communication. Well, we're finally starting to get this whole communication thing with a little help from our young daughter.

Aria's started waiving and jabbering more in the past few weeks. She waves at things she likes or wants to look at and people she likes. She raises both arms if she's getting frustrated with something. She calls for her "baba" when she's hungry (but only for a few seconds before the screaming begins lol) and she now says "mama" and "dada" quite clearly :) She even smacks her lips together to show she's happy and kicks her lips when she wants to put something in her mouth :)

All these little things, while very little steps, are helping us understand out daughter better. We're figuring out things she likes and dislikes, and I feel like her personality - while it has always been very present - is really starting to make sense to us. Finally lol. We're really having fun with her now and she is starting to understand us, which is always good, too. :) I can't wait till the day we can actually have conversations with her!

Aria enjoying her Easter Bunny hat :)