Christmas Dress 2014

This year we swapped trees with different family members, and ended up with a six-footer, which has plenty of room for all of our ornaments above Miss V's reach. She likes the decorations, especially the lights and child-friendly nativity sets. A few presents already under our tree are just tall enough for her to back into them and use as benches.

We played dress-up today, since wearing a dress that gets in the way while climbing isn't what she wanted to wear after church on Sunday. She looks so big in all of the puffy layers, and then I see her in the onesie and ruffle-butt tights, and she appears to be so tiny again. Grandma found such an adorable outfit. It's a little more difficult taking posed pictures now than when she was just a few months old and couldn't even roll away from where I plopped her, but I love watching her explore, running around outside and through the house.

Each phase of her life comes with new experiences and opportunities. Right now I'm enjoying her adorable displays of mimicry as we fold our arms to pray, wave good-bye, or tickle toes. She loves picking up a book, and turning slowly through all of the pages. A few recognizable words are said, but her supposed words bring some interesting guesses. I think more crayon shavings end up in her mouth than on her coloring pages. One of my favorite sights to see is when Zak gets home from work, and V realizes he'll be coming through the door any moment. She sprints toward him with a big grin on her face.

We're excited for Christmas activities and presents this year. She's already made wrapping gifts and decorating the gingerbread house into adventures. She loves putting on necklaces. She is one of God's perfect little creations, and I sure hope I don't ruin that with my parenting. We love her very much.