And then she was 3

I can't believe she's 3. She's been 3 a week and let me tell you: 3 is something. She is so sassy and defiant, it's amazing. But she's so so smart, loving and gentle. I'm constantly amazed that I get to be her mom. A blessing from God, I never thought I would have. This year has been a big one for Fiona. She loves school, reading, art, and being outside. She's adventurous and loves swimming and chasing her puppies, but she's shy too and stays close to mommy and daddy. I originally wasn't going to have a party this year, but I had to celebrate 3. I mean look at her!

I will do a post on the party later but I had to share these "official" 3 year old pics.

School Starts Again!

Fiona went to Mother's Day Out last year for 1 day a week. It was one of the best decisions we ever made! Fiona learned so much and really grew to love her teacher and class. All summer she begged to go to school!

We decided this year to move her up to 2 days a week. She loves it so much! She already knows her teacher's name and calls her classmates her "friends!" Now if we could only get her over her aversion to getting dirty! She gets so upset when they play in the sand and her shoes get dirty.

Here is her first day of school pic from this year:

Fiona's Speech Evaluation

We finally got Fiona's speech evaluation scheduled and it was this morning. To say I was nervous was a major understatement. I watched her like a hawk during the test and I could tell where she excelled and where she didn't.

She did amazing and they said she is so smart (oh we knew that). Her scores were very good. She even tested at a 36 month old level in one category. However, her communication skills did test low at a 10 month old level. It's not that she doesn't understand, it's that she's not effectively communicating with words and other forms. They recommended her for therapy.

Speech therapy begins in a few weeks. I feel really good about what's to come and really good that we made the decision to pounce on this issue. I just wanted to update you all and leave with with a sweet picture of my baby girl.

18 Months

Where did my baby go? We are definitely in toddlerhood now :( 

Fiona goes to school 1 day a week now for 3 hours. She is learning to paint, drink from a cup and many other things! Everyday she constantly amazes me at how independent and BIG she is.

She has a stubborn streak and is refusing to talk! We have a hearing test for her next week and ask for prayers. I'll post some about our recent trip to Scotland in a few days and my new resolution is to post 1x a week!

Love!

First Steps!

So Fi Fi can walk! But will she? No. Fiona is stubborn and everything is on her own terms, even this young. She apparently walked at her birthday party but mommy and daddy were not in the room so it doesn't count. The following weekend at Cavan's birthday party, she walked while he was eating his cake. Oops! We felt bad for getting so excited during his big moment! I've been trying ever since to capture it not tape, but Fiona won't walk when we want her to. No amount of bribing or holding out our hand will make her walk. She only walks when she really really wants something. Today she didn't walk at all if that tells you anything. Well I finally caught it. Enjoy!

First Birthday Fun!

Fiona's actual first birthday was so much fun. We spent the morning just the 3 of us at the zoo, lunch and then had dinner with the whole family. It was so much fun!

Fiona First Birthday Dress and Shoot

So I decided for Fi's birthday to make her dress and then we did a a little photo shoot! Take a peek!

Fiona and the Spoon

I guess we are at that point in Fiona's life where the milestones just keep coming! Here is a recent one!

Fiona says . . .

BANANA! Fiona has been saying Mama and Dada and sometime BaBa for Bye Bye but we are counting this as the official first word! I can't wait to hear what else she has to say (or maybe I should be afraid of what she has to say . . .).

FIONA IS CRAWLING

Look out! She's on the move! On October 14, Fiona finally figured out how to crawl! She is totally going now and is even starting to pull up. We had to lower her crib and are baby proofing like crazy!

Pulling Up on Momma's Leg! It's my favorite thing to do when she won't pick me up!

Fiona is 7 Months Old!

Time is flying and our little girl is doing so much! Here is how month 7 was:

Fiona is 6 Months Old

It is hard not to cry when I think of how tiny . . . well smallish (let's be honest. Fiona was never tiny) Fiona was when she was born and how dependent on us she was. Now is moving around, is independent, eating solid foods and has a tooth coming in. What scares me the most is that we are halfway to her first birthday.

Here is what she has been up to this month!