Walking Tall

Amita continues to make great progress on her walking and she is getting more and more bold every day.  She is starting to understand that she can get from point A to point B while staying upright and keeping the toys in her hands, rather than having to interrupt her activities to crawl there.  It has been really fun watching her discover her new walking skills.

Today we took Amita to her second annual Brewer's 5k.  It was strange to remember last year's race and how small she was compared to this year.  It was a little cooler this year (believe it or not!) and I was thankful for that.  It made walking much more enjoyable.  The best part of the race is the finish line where you get to hang out with all the racing sausages and enjoy a free hot dog, water, and beer!  We found a nice spot in the shade to eat while Amita explored a little and had some more walking practice.  Then it was time to head back home for her nap.  All in all, a fantastic little Saturday!!

Here's a picture of Amita walking unassisted.

It's All Good

It has been a busy couple of weeks since our last post.  We have been busy with converting our former guest bedroom into a baby's room, while Aaron puts in long hours at work and Amita continues to grow.  She is not comfortable walking completely on her own yet, but she is getting braver every day and is trying new things.  She has also added the following phrases to her vocabulary: all done, go go go (from one of her favorite books), and best of all, dada.

At her 18-month checkup, the doctor said everything looks good.  She's in a normal weight range, her walking and talking are normal, and overall, she's healthy and happy!  With the exception of the last week of teething, which has forced her to give up everything but soft foods, she is doing great!  Can you believe her hair is long enough for pigtails in the above photo?!?!?

Here's Amita chillaxin in our bed.  I hope she's as comfortable in her big girl bed when we move her out of the crib in a few months!

In the excitement of everything, Aaron and I were able to get away for a quick weekend trip to a friend's wedding (hey Schmoopy!) in Newberry a few weeks ago.  We even got to do some hiking at Tahquamenon Falls and Pictured Rocks.

Here's Amita climbing up the slide like normal.

But she normally goes down on her tummy.  This is new!

Whee!!!!!  This is tons more fun!

Independence Day

It has been an amazing few weeks.  Amita has started standing and walking unassisted... of course, she still prefers to hang on to something or someone when she can, but she's making great progress.  It was fitting that she started all of this around Independence Day... although, she's been independent since the day she was born!

The 4th of July was a real treat this year... we got to spend it with family!  Cousin Piper helped encourage Amita's walking (they both ended up taking their first steps at our house... Piper started during Amita's first birthday weekend!) and it was great to have the girls together to play again.  They were also real troopers in the heat wave.  Even though it was over 100, Piper kept asking to go outside!

Here's the girls enjoying a wagon ride on our way to a 4th of July parade.

Amita watching the parade with daddy.  She managed to score some candy!!

Trying out the toddler splash pond after the parade.  The water was super cold and Amita wasn't the biggest fan... but she did get brave enough to reach her arms in a few times.  It was a much needed cool down for all of us.

The ducks we entered into the duck races on the 4th.  We didn't win fastest or best dressed... but we have a lot of great ideas for next year.

A future golf pro!  The girls got to test out some occupations at the children's museum in Milwaukee.

Amita the banker... not surprising that she enjoyed the computer and calculator!

Taking turns on the slide on a cooler morning (not quite 80 yet!).

The whole gang downtown!