the end of the hiatus:

Wow... nearly two whole months have gone by. It was a much needed break from all things blogging... but we certainly haven't taken a break from life. In fact.... we've been having more fun than ever! 

My little baby is hardly a baby anymore. It seems that she takes new steps towards full-fledged toddlerdom on a daily basis. As imagined, it's all very bittersweet for me. I struggle every day and often have to ask myself if I am enjoying her enough and taking advantage of the moment enough... she is changing and growing so quickly.

A little bit about what we've all been up to...

Weaning. As imagined it was much, much harder on mama than it was on her. But after 15 1/2 months, we finally weaned this last month. I am so proud that we made it that long and although it's nice to have my body back(ish), I miss it much more than I thought I would.

Lots of time with dada. Due to holiday weekends, vacations and early church it seems that we've had daddy around a lot more than usual and it's been heaven. This girl loves her dada (and so do I). It is without a doubt my favorite word that she says. She has the most endearing tone and she can't say dada without smiling. It makes my heart so happy. She still only says "mama" when she's grumpy or needs something... and it's not nearly as endearing. Every morning when Chris leaves, she gives him big kisses and she's usually waiting to greet him the same way when he gets home.

Leah is learning new things every day. She knows most of her body parts, loves to sing and dance, play peek-a-boo, knows several animal sounds and still jabbers tons of nonsense. She is all girl and is already obsessed with jewelry, dressing up and rummaging through my make-up bag. Nearly all of my chapsticks and lipsticks have little finger gauges out of them. She always wants to have a necklace on and uses dishtowels and whatever else she can find to drape over her or put on.

I love watching her personality develop. She is starting to develop compassion and awareness of others. In church, anytime she hears a baby cry.... she gets such a concerned and sad look on her face and just wants me to make it better. She loves her baby doll and her stuffed animals and is constantly smothering them with loves and kisses. She has really expressive eyes and eyebrows and makes some of the funniest facial expressions. I love how freely she shares her emotions.

Littlemiss has been taking baths in the big tub for the last month or so and she pretty much thinks it's the best thing since crackers shaped like animals came into her life...

She still loves music and especially any toy that plays music, especially her pink teddy bear and she is especially obsessed with the mini organ at Grandpa and Grandma's house. (I've already told Chris that we might have to start saving for a piano and piano lessons)

SwimBabies. Leah and her best buddy Sawyer started swimming lessons a few weeks ago. I think she is still a little unsure about the whole getting dunked under the water thing, but she seems to be coming around.

Books. Books. Books. She is becoming more obsessed with books all the time. He loves to sit all by herself in the rocking chair and read them by herself. She likes to pick the books she wants to read now, is starting to want to read them "again" and has even been going through a phase where she like to take books to bed with her.

Along with her new found independence, she also wants to feed herself. She still isn't very good at the "scooping" part, but she's pretty good and getting the loaded spoon right to her mouth! Self-feeding has been one of the stages that I have been looking forward to the very least!

This past month LJ got her very first passport, and got her very first stamp...

as well celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary at one of our very favorite destinations... 

{more details posted soon} 

We played with cousins and had a fun girls day as we helped with Kadence's special project again this year. We love any time spent with all of our favorite girls especially when we are helping with something so worthwhile and honoring someone so special!

Littlemiss and I made Daddy a special Valentine's Dinner and finished the night with chocolate covered strawberries, which Leah inhaled. Some might think we're crazy, but I love that she's a part of all of our special date nights. :)

We also took our very first trip to the Aquarium last week and Leah loved it. She was mesmerized by all of the fish and was especially enamored by a silly little otter than swam endless circles right in front of her. She laughed and thought it was so funny. Unfortunately, I left my camera in the car.... so we're already planning another trip again soon.

Occasionally CJ and I do get a little alone time and special date nights. We scored great tickets to the Jazz game recently and loved every minute of it. Leah even got to have a sleepover with G&G and Aunt JoJo and also loved every minute of it. It was a nice little break.... but man were we happy to see this little squirt again!

It's been a great start to 2012 for the C*K*J's and I have a feeling that it's just gonna keep getting better!!