The Vanderwalls: Firsts for Chlobee

Chloe Girl,

Well, maybe I should start off by explaining the title of this post. I'm going to write all about your firsts, as you seem to have many of them these days. Also, your current, most common nickname is Chlobee...I'm not really sure where this came from or how we started calling you this, but both Mommy and Daddy use this little term of endearment for you on a very regular basis.

Some days I feel like I'm watching you grow up right before my very eyes. It always seems like you're able to do a little more than you could the day before and that your baby look is swiftly disappearing. Now, you're just our adorable little girl. So bittersweet.

Perhaps the most notable first is WALKING! You've been quite the stubborn little walker (not unlike many other areas of your life). You took a few steps off and on shortly after your first birthday, but really wouldn't commit to the act of walking. Then, on Christmas Day you found some dose of bravery deep within yourself and decided to take off. Well, sort of. That's what we thought. From Christmas Day until mid-January you were the funniest, most peculiar little walker I've ever seen. One hour you'd be marching (slowly and wobbly) around the house and the next you'd be cruising around on your hands and knees again. You did this every single day for about 3 weeks. It was anybody's guess as to which mode of transportation would be your preference at any given time of the day. Then, suddenly, one Sunday, you must of decided that crawling was a thing of the past because you just took off walking, in the toddler class at church, and you haven't looked back since!

Several first words also now grace your resume. You're also a stubborn talker (hmmm....I think I'm starting to see a theme here?!!). You can say: mama, dada, bye-bye, yay, momo, ball, milk, Noah, oink, meow, woof, and gobble gobble. Most of the time you choose to say: mama, dada, yay, and momo and ball get thrown into the mix more frequently than the other words. You really are starting to become a little parrot though. Just in the last week or so you've started to mimic the sounds you hear and are trying to say words we ask you to say a little more often. I sort of have this feeling that, when you make up your mind to, you'll just be talking in full sentences.

Teeth are sort of old news, but you do have more than you used to. You now proudly sport 6 choppers, and, I think I spied a couple trying to come in when I was brushing your teeth last night.

Some of your current favorite things and things to do are: putting shoes and socks on and taking them off (but if they're off, you immediately want them back on. You are 100% OBSESSED with shoes and socks! You LOVE them!), playing with Noah, bugging Noah, pretending to look at books, singing or listening to music, getting dressed, eating cheese, walking EVERYWHERE, going for walks around our neighborhood, visiting family, taking tubbies, and playing by yourself (you are REALLY good at entertaining yourself while Noah is at school).

Some of your current dislikes are: getting scolded (you melt down quite easily. Noah always says, "Someone broke her heart."), being bossed by your brother, and being left with friends or family members who aren't your parents, grandparents, or aunts or uncles. That's honestly about all I can think of for dislikes. You're a really easy-going kid.

Don't grow up too fast, Chloe Girl! Mommy and Daddy sure treasure this precious time. You're such a joy to have around. Your radiant little personality and bright spirit are definitely contagious! They bring a smile to all of our faces on a daily basis. Keep being you, Chlobee. Never forget how much we love you, and how much Jesus loves you! You're just the sweetest thing!