22 Months

Mary Frances turned 22 months old Wednesday.  I am amazed at how much she is growing up but at the same time I look at her and sometimes think she is still such a "baby." She is such a doll and we love her so much!

Mary Frances and her baby doll on Easter.

So, I have gotten a little behind on the blog.  Mary Frances is such a busy body and keeps me running, so any free time I have I am cleaning, cooking, catching up on email, etc.  I did skip a 21 month blog post, but I feel like while she is still changing so much, she has also reached a point where the changes are not as drastic month to month. That said, I think this will be my last monthly post until her second birthday!

Mary Frances has quite the social calendar.  She loves being with her friends, making new friends and she always talks about the "new friends" she made wherever we go.  When we go to the YMCA, she always cries at the drop off, however, she usually will talk about her "new friends" when I pick her up.  One night while we were praying before bed, she wanted to thank God for her new friends at the Y.  So sweet.

Having a fun time with her friend, Ryan.

At the Atlanta Zoo with Ryan.

It is also fun to see her interests starting to grow.  Some of the things she enjoys are music (especially the piano and "cutar"), music class, the park, and now she is starting to show some interest in sports like baseball and soccer.  How much fun it will be to have a little girl running around playing soccer!  Paul and I have some new things to learn as neither one of us ever played soccer.

Mary Frances still has such a sweet spirit and personality.  My mom always comments on their time together saying, "She was so sweet today."  It is nice to have your child described that way.  I love her little hugs and kisses, especially the impromtu ones.  I love the way she says, "I love you, too."  I love the way she will look at me, catch my gaze, and squint those eyes giving me a wide grin.  I just want to freeze those little moments in time forever!  

With my sweet girl on my birthday.

Like I have said before, Mary Frances is also developing her independence.  It is great to watch her help and want to do everything I do.  Patience for myself comes a little more easily during those times when she is helping sweetly and wants to be a big girl.  However, this independence also means she is trying to gain control over different situations and sometimes she flat out refuses to eat whatever food I have placed in front of her to eat.  So, sometimes she doesn't eat.  I don't feel so patient in those instances, but hopefully this phase will pass soon!  That is one thing I have learned about parenting and children.  Everything is a phase and nothing lasts forever. 

We love this little girl so much and cannot wait to celebrate her second birthday in less than two months!

Love,

Katy