9/30

Lorelai has been talking about wanting to see Sonja for many of the last couple days. Tonight, Mama and Daddy went over to Sonja's house to play table top games so Lorelai had a chance to pal around with her new friend.
Now Mama and Daddy know that we need to work a little more on helping Lorelai be less bossy (she kept trying to convince Sonja to sit down when she was playing), keep our hands to ourselves, and to share (if Sonja has a play phone, you cannot steal it from her hand). To be fair, they are both one year old so this is to be expected. Lorelai just gets so excited to play with her friends!

9/29

Today, Lorelai learned the word "cousins". We met our cousins at the mall for a super hero photoshoot. Lorelai wasn't excited to take pictures there but when we got back to Nana and Pop-pop's all of the cousins donned their Superman (or Supergirl) gear for a snapshot of the growing family. We managed to grab a few pictures before their concentration fell apart.

Later on, we had Happy Cake for Nana. Lorelai was very enthusiastic-- she insisted on sharing Mama and Daddy's pieces too. Nana's birthday is later this week. Happy birthday, Nana!!

9/28

What a busy day! Lorelai went on a n umber of adventures today-- we watched Chris play Soccer with his team at The Y, we went to a fall fair and a park, and we had a BBQ at Uncle Spike's house!

Aside from playing with Chris, Spike's kitty, and Sunshine at the BBQ, Lorelai's favorite moment was when she discovered the see-saw. The see-saw was so much fun! Daddy tried to give Lorelai a kiss every time she was saw'ed upwards which made her giggle with glee. She is quite the Daddy's girl. We will have to come back to this park again soon.

9/27

Lorelai went adventuring today. She wanted to explore the bunny's condo against Daddy's recommendation. Dylan and Lorelai were looking at bunnies and she noticed the building. Once inside, Lorelai did not want to leave. She climbed up on the higher shelves and made herself comfortable. Maybe Lorelai should be a bunny for Halloween.

9/26

Check out that cool Star trek fan... drinking her milk, living the dream. She's so boss.

9/25

"Arm..." Lorelai came bounding around the corner from behind the couch and here she had removed her arm from her shirt, much like Daddy would when getting her ready for bed. Amazing.

9/24

Lorelai picked out her shirt today. Daddy was standing at her dresser and she exclaimed "happy cake" and selected the shirt with a cup cake emblazoned on the center in rainbow colors. Of course she would.

9/23

Lorelai learned how to use the zipper on her purse tonight. She had a look of complete pride on her face when she opened and closed the bag all by herself.

9/22

Happy 4th birthday, Christopher! Chris had a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles party today to celebrate with all of his cousins. There was turtle cup cakes, masks, and a pinata! Mama loves a good theme and dressed Lorelai up in turtle clothes so she would fit right in. Turtle Power!

9/21

It is Johnny Appleseed Festival at Linvilla Orchards this weekend. We met the Englebach's, Aunt Maureen, Uncle Frank, and Chris there to play on the playground and snack on a few apples. There was a drum band that played by the picnic area that really caught Lorelai's ears. She wanted to stare at the musicians and dance for the better part of the day. No surprises there-- our baby loves music!

9/20

Lorelai had her18 month old doctor's appointment. She passed with flying colors, of course. Lorelai had a good time playing in the doctor's room (kids! mouse!) but was not a fan of interacting with the actual medical staff at all. Two shots. She took them like a champ.

Weight: 25 pounds
Height: 31.5 inches

9/19

Happy half birthday, baby girl! Today you are 18 months old (or 1.5 years). It is incredible to see you grow and learn every day. You make your parents so proud.

9/18

Lorelai had a great time playing with the beads she found in her toy box today. She would hold up the necklaces and exclaim "neck" to indicate that Daddy and Mama should be wearing the one in her fist.

9/17

Daddy is trying to teach Lorelai to sit on the couch when she wants to play with the "book". This is a rule at Gigi's house and it is one that would make sense everywhere. iPads are so fun to play with-- we need to make sure we are making safe decisions when we use them. Lorelai snuggles under a blankie, will lounge and sprawl across the cushion and Mama's lap, or lay on her tummy and kick her feet in the air while playing with the iPad. It is amazing how independently she uses it sometimes. Lorelai can unlock the pad, find her preferred Apps, open to play them, close them, and scroll to something new. She cannot help herself and must change her activity constantly. It worries Mama a little thinking that Lorelai is going to develop attention and concentration problems with all the switching she does.

9/16

Lorelai, Daddy, and Mama went to play at the Oasis Family Fun Center today! We had a blast playing on the slides. Daddy took Lorelai into a ball pit that shoots balls all over using vacumns. As soon as Lorelai heard the unexpected noise, she was frightened, was frozen in panic, and no longer wanted to play. Next time we go, we'll make sure Lorelai is ready for the loud noise and has plenty of her cousins there to protect her.

9/15

We made S'mores at Nana's house tonight! It was a lot of fun playing soccer with Lorelai's cousins. It was even more fun running around with a sticky, half-eaten giant marshmallow in our hand! The way to Lorelai's heart is thru her stomach, no doubt.

9/14

Gigi and Pop-pop took Lorelai to the York County Fair today! She had a great time playing with other kids, watching amusement park rides, playing in a dried corn sandbox, and dancing around everywhere. Gigi said that Lorelai never stopped dancing all day. She even got to see a piglet race and a weiner dog race while she was there. Puppies and pigs!

9/13

Lorelai got dressed in her best princess kitty cat shirt for her sleep over at Gigi's house tonight. Mama and Daddy are going to the Hayden's wedding in the mountains so Lorelai gets to spend two nights there... and maybe will get to see the kitty at Uncle Spike's house too! In preparation for her weekend with her Grandparents, Lorelai wanted to ride the elephant rocker Pop-pop made for her Daddy. She can climb on and off of it now herself and can even make it rock a little. The wood is very heavy so she does still need some help to make it go with any speed.

9/12

At dinner, Lorelai sat in a big kid seat at Lucas's table and ate her pizza. First time without a highchair and she did wonderfully. Lorelai isn't about to let something distract her from food!
Afterwards, Lorelai and Lucas were all set to go to the Fair tonight but instead it rained. Making the most of it, they went for a pony ride in the D'Orazio's living room instead. When you're a Gallagher, you can make a fair happen anywhere you want at a moment's notice.

9/11

Lorelai has a Star Trek Book of Opposites that the Caramanicos gave to her when she was first born. Today while she was reading the book, Lorelai suprised her Daddy with some of her interpretations of the pictures. There is a "suprised" picture of Kirk that Lorelai says "Peek-a-boo" to. Even more adorable, the "together" and "apart" images of Kirk and Uhura in Plato's Stepchildren for that historic inter-racial kiss is simply called "kiss!" after which Lorelia holds her face towards ours and asks for a kiss of her own.

9/10

Without any prompting from anyone, Lorelai started to try out handstands today. She has gotten as far as her head and hands on the floor with her butt in the air. We are still working on picking up her feet on her own but her Daddy was more than happy to accommodate her while she learns.

We are raising a tiny daredevil.

9/9

Lorelai and Daddy matched today! Lorelai has changed to the 18-24 month clothing size so we are working thru a whole new set of super hero shirts and tributes to Daddy's youth. This size has some pretty exciting outfits so get ready for that!
We went to play D&D at the Englebach's tonight. It was a good time. Lorelai was excited to get to play with her cup of dice again. You can see her feverishly shaking the cup of dice here in the picture with Daddy as well. Always in motion; that's our Lorelai.

9/8

Aunt Momo pulled out her Nook tonight to read a story to the cousins. Lorelai was especially excited as she loves electronic tables. She cannot help herself-- she kept scrolling before the page was done, frustrating Chris and Lucas whom wanted to hear the Car's story that was being told. When Lorelai sees a touch screen, it is game over. Oh! And buttons. She loves to press buttons-- caution to the wind!

9/7

This is something of a testament to today. Lorelai rediscovered her infant bouncer and loves to climb into it on her own. Once she gets in there, she almost immediately cries out for "halp!" to get back out. Playing with Baby doll, she thought that Baby would want to go jumping too. You can see the baby's legs hanging out the bottom of the seat. Lorelai is a very sincere Mama to her Baby. She always makes sure Baby is happy.

9/6

Ahhhh pretty girl. Lorelai spent the day playing Mama with her baby doll. She wraps the baby in her blankie and pats her back, sing songs, rocks. It is too adorable.
In pictures, Lorelai recognizes herself as "baby" and points to herself in conversation as "baby". Daddy and Mama are teaching her the concept of "Lorelai" and "me". She has always identified herself as "Daddy's little princess" as well, just for the record.

9/5

We just started this. Let's say Mama or Daddy is sitting on the couch or a chair. Lorelai will come over and sit on your foot, arms wrapped around your leg, and a big smile with beautiful, mischievous blue eyes looking up at you. "Bounce!" she exclaims. When Daddy's leg gets tired, it is time for Mama's leg. Over and over and over. She loves to bounce, the higher and wilder the better.
Our Little Daredevil.

9/4

Lorelai insisted that she wear with Hello Kitty shirt today regardless of the fact that it is in the next size. Daddy was trying to get clothes in her room, Lorelai came across the shirt, and that was that.
After dinner, Lorelai found her Hello Kitty headband and purse too to complete the ensemble. Whenever Lorelai finds a purse, she always picks it up, waves, and announces "bye-bye!" while walking towards the door. Lorelai is a girl on the go.

9/3

We went to the Philadelphia Zoo today and had a great time. Now, Lorelai is more familiar different animals from her books and the iPad so she was more interested in some of the animals we saw.

When we got to the flamingos, Lorelai took off at a run. She was desperately trying to climb the fences, yelling "Tub!" and "Mingos!" like she wanted to get in there and swim with them. She was trying to fit thru the holes in the fencing too... anything to go for a swim! We spent a good amount of time with the flamingos. Lorelai's enthusiasm was not to be missed.

9/2

Lorelai DEMANDED we call Nana this afternoon so she could chat on the phone. Lorelai showed off her dancing skills (over the phone), sang a little, and modeled some of the pretty clothes Nana bought her. Lorelai is a tiny diva.

9/1

Sundays we spend at Nana's house with family. Lorelai loves to climb all over, keeping up with the boys and surprising relatives. Peek-a-boo, Nana!!
Check out those beautiful baby thighs!