19 months!

My little love... right now, you are crying in your crib at 8:18pm because you don't want to go to sleep quite yet.  And, now you stopped after only 2 minutes. You just have way too much exploring to do to go to bed... ;) You are SO much fun at 19 months. You can talk up a storm and are always surprising us with new words that you know.  You recently started using multiple words together and will say lots of little phrases- "up, please" "not right now" "dada bye bye".  You love love love your routine and are such a happy little girl.  Right now, you are waking up around 7:30 and we have breakfast together and then clean it up.  You then get to watch some TV while I get ready for the day- you were watching a bunch of music videos (ba ba black sheep), but recently switched to an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (road racing).  Usually, you watch about 5 minutes and then ask to join me in the shower =/ I am trying to remember that you are only little once and to savor these times- you love it when I hold you in the shower and won't let me put you down, so I have to try to wash my hair one handed and not drop you.  And then I just plug the drain toward the end and you play in the bath while I get ready after... it is quite an ordeal! We try to have some sort of activity in the mornings- Mondays and Fridays we have Zane's playroom or book babies or hike it baby.  Wednesdays we go to mom's group. and then we usually run errands or have a slow, at home day on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Sundays we go to church and Saturdays I try to find something to fill our days- we were going to the farmer's market, but that has ended for the year.  You nap around 12:30-2:30 and then dad is usually home from work by 3:30.  You are just a bundle of energy- you love to dance and have recently started singing- adding in your own random words "abuelo away Mexico airplane" or tonight at dinner "din din din din" SO cute! You are not very excited about your toys unless someone plays with you- even with a toy rotation- but certain toys are really great for you like your dollhouse or your troll dolls.  You love to be outside- playing our version of basketball or jumping on the trampoline. You love to HELP with anything and everything.  You help get the chicken eggs, you always bring Cece her toys and fill up her food, you are great at picking up your toys, you love to bring things to people, you have recently wanted to help prepare food or at least "see" in your words. You know names so so well- better than any other 19 month old I know.  You can list off people by name and talk about them all the time.  You love Allison from mom's group- she is only 6 days older than you and it is so so cute watching you two start to play together.  You remember everything and will ask for very specific things- like the ducks at the library or the Minnie Mouse across the street from Grandma Sandee's house.  You are also starting to be able to express your emotions- the other night, you stayed over at Grandma Sandee's house and the next morning, you said "Grandma Sandee house ni night. Waaa" It was so sweet.  You are still so attached to mama. Grandma Sandee is the only person you will willingly go to.  You cry every time I leave you with dad.  Even if he is doing something fun like going to feed the chickens or take you to play outside, you will not go unless mama is coming too.  I know you will outgrow it, but it is so hard because I really want you to enjoy your daddy! Abuelita says it is because I am pregnant- 6 months now- with your little sister.  You must be able to sense the hormones and just want me all for yourself because you know you will have to share me soon.  I have such mixed emotions about it all- I know I will love your sister just as much (differently) than I love you, but it makes me feel sad knowing that you won't be my only baby anymore.  I feel like I will be missing out on giving you the best...and it is kind of true. But, I pray that your sister will be your best friend and she will bring you so much more than she takes from you by entering your little routine.

Johanna, you are the love of my life and the JOY in my days.  You are such a blessing and a gift from God and I am so so thankful that you are my daughter! As we continue to train you up in the way you should go and teach you all sorts of new things, you amaze me more each day.  I pray for wisdom in my parenting all the time and I pray that you will know how LOVED you are! I pray that we are able to teach you to obey and honor your parents and to love the Lord.  It is such an honor to get to teach you! I love you, my sweetheart! Sweet dreams <3