Lorelei, 18 months.

For Lorelei's 18 month birthday, we went to the Morton Arboretum for a chilly walk in the trees (and their awesome tree house exhibit) and a trip to their Enchanted Wonderland model train room where every kid's eyes were as big as saucers.

What to tell you about Lorelei at 18 months? She's smart as a whip and developing a wicked sense of humor. She's starting to get more determined about what she wants but at least at this point her tantrums are too humorous to get frustrated by. Everyone we know asks if she's "this happy" or "this mellow" at home. Answer? Not all the time. But we feel we're pretty darn lucky to have such a great kid.

Thanksgiving, DeKalb style.

We had a small, quiet Thanksgiving at home this year, due to some cross-country moving and brand new babies on the Hanna side (though we'll be getting together with everybody just a few weeks late for a Hanukkah gathering!). We took advantage of the situation and did all kinds of vegetarian cooking, walks around our neighborhood (which is soon not going to be our neighborhood anymore!), and general festive merry-making as a family of three. Some pictures of us all making pumpkin pie together:

Our little turkey:

The main event:

As much as Lorelei enjoyed making the pumpkin pie, eating it proved much more fun.

A fun and tiring day! Happy Thanksgiving!

playdate with Nzinzi.

A 3 year old friend came over for a fun afternoon - we colored pictures of turkeys, played with blocks, and danced around the living room and kitchen together! Lorelei loved her hair and kept running over to touch it. Nzinzi was very gracious and let Lorelei pull as much as she wanted.

mama love.

Wearing my shoes...

...and doing a little butt wiggle while she gives me an impromptu hug. I have a pretty great job.

I got my DSLR back.

Jason took a picture of us to celebrate...

 ...and Lorelei refused to stand more than a few inches away from the camera.

goose walk

out and about with Grandma Sara

Jason was gone for the weekend, so we had some girl fun!

Swimming lessons (can you find me and Lorelei?):

Jumping around at the gym:

The Children's Museum in Naperville - fun to see how much more Lorelei can do than the last time we went!

...and lunch afterwards where Lorelei flirted with all the other customers!