The Things Children Pick Up On

The discovery stage cracks me up. Last month, I was messing around and did this face with a la la la la (like off Elmo's World song), and now she does it. It's much cuter when she does it though. She also has figured out how to put shades on. She found Daddy's shades in his room, put them on and looked at us, needless to say I was in tears from laughing so hard. Another couple of things she's figured out recently is how to use a broom and that keys unlock doors. Don't ask me how she figured that first one out because I don't mean to brag, but I don't clean all that often. Ha ha. We went to the zoo again. It seems like everytime we go she has more fun. She tried immitating Grandma's crazy driving on this tractor, I'd say my driving, but we all know how great a driver I am. :) He he he. She also figured out what to do with the fake cow's ureters, water comes out when they're squeezed. There's been signs of her picking up on how to use a utensil. Still trying to establish finger foods as oppose to fork/spoon foods. She kinda has them backwards at the moment. She fingerpainted the other day and of course enjoyed eating the stuff luckily I was prepared and made sure the paint was chocolate pudding. Yum, but messy. My Aunt Lorna gave me this great book on how to keep toddler's busy and this was one of the suggestions, she had a blast. This is the outcome. And this too. Bath time. She also has been picking up a limited vocabulary. She says mamamama (me), dad, that, see (lights, she points and says see), da (dance), uh oh, weee, yay, dog, Gizzy (for our dog, Gizmo), Gizzy do (same dog, Grandma calls him this), duck, uh (up), and dow (down). I think that's it. She still signs words like more and food (eat). She understands simple directions like get your blanket, do you need help, come here, do you want to swing, etc. Here's a video of her saying Gizzy she's looking for him, usually he can be found in the kitchen:
We've picked out her Easter dress because my Grandma got married. I love getting dresses for her, but love it even more when she can use them more than once. So cute. I'm entering her into the Regis & Kelly Most Beautiful Baby Contest in hopes she wins the $125,000 college tuition or $25,000 or even the free gerber food. Not picky, just thought it's worth a shot. Cross your fingers. They should be announcing the winners in March. The first picture is our entry, the other 3 were the runner ups.