18 Months

I can vote! I can vote! I am 18, afterall. I had SUCH a busy 18th month. I'm going to save the most EXCITING thing I did for last, but here's a hint...it rhymes with "cool." Hmmm...I'm gonna leave you to marinate on that while I tell you about the rest of my month.

So it turns out, I'm KIND OF a big deal. I mean, I knew that, and YOU knew that, but now the whole nation will know it. I may even be big in Europe, I'm not sure. Basically, I got my first modeling job. My friend's grandma is Patsy Aiken and she started a clothing line for children about 30 years ago. She has a catalog and sells it all over the US...and guess what? She asked ME to model for it! It should hit newstands (that's industry lingo) in December. I'm going to be honest and tell you I was a bit of a diva. But I had a right to be...I worked hard. Inside where the AC was pumpin' and snacks and champagne (just jesting) were flowing, I was perfectly content. Once they got me outside though...ugh, I just hate to be overheated. I think it was worth it for them to put up with a little attitude though...I mean, I'm totally going to be setting the Fall trends.

I also went to visit my Uncle Charlie and Denis in Richmond. Apparently, my Uncle Charlie has a gift (either that or he spikes my juice). He can make me fall asleep...IN HIS ARMS. It really is quite miraculous. My mom was all, "Where were you when I WASN'T SLEEPING for the first year of her life?" And I was all, "Mommmmm...SHHHHHHHH...I'm SLEEPING." So now she is pretty sure he is just going to have to move here and be my manny.

I also went to visit my grandparents in Oriental. I was not such a good sleeper there, but that is only because there is so much to do and so little time. The BEST part was feeding the neighbors turtle. They eat DOG FOOD (the turtles, not the neighbors) and they are HUGE. I had to be careful not fall in...they could probably rip my arm off, or at least a finger. It was super fun though and I can't wait to do it again. Another highlight of the trip was a book Mommy and Daddy got me at a store that we stopped in. It is called The Sad Book, and judging by the cover and child-like illustrations it would appear to be appropriate for children. However, since it contains little gems like "Gladys Goink was just ugly as hell, and she didn't have any money either," I'm thinking it was, in fact, completely INAPPROPRIATE that my parents bought me this book and you should probably put DSS on speed dial...just in case.

And NOW for the BIG NEWS. I have officially started school. I go Monday and Wednesday from 9 - 11:45. So far, I think I like it. It is a little bit of a bummer to think from now on I'll either be in school or working for basically the rest of my life, but at least I'll grow up smart. And now that I'm 18, I can cast my all important vote on important issues like which snack should be served, goldish or pretzels? And who is the better diaper changer, Mrs. Scott or Mrs. Newell? So I'll be tackling the issues weighing on the minds of all Americans one vote at a time. Your future is safe in my hands.

Green Foam Monster

Rockin' the Crocs at the beach

Whoa...whose hairy legs are THESE??


I love the bags o' ducks at Barnes and Noble...it's so annoying that they make you PAY for them.


Browsing my wardrobe at the fashion shoot

Ugh, you have to take my picture AGAIN? A model's work is never done...

Workin' it in mommy's shoes

It's magic

I didn't even wake up as we walked by the Starby's...and I can smell those samples a mile away!

On the way to see the turtles...

Big huh?

Action shot of me throwing the dog food

!st day of school with Mommy

Mommy, let's GO!

What are you waiting for Daddy?


Y'all are gonna make me late...I'll get there myself!

I don't know what school is, but I think I like it!

My classroom

Don't you worry, I switched up these name tags as soon as the teachers' backs were turned ( no really, I did...Caroline never saw it coming)

The last good bye...

Mommy and Daddy spying on me

Stylin'

I have this goofy look on my face because...

Nana gave me COCOA PUFFS!

Another nugget of knowledge from The Sad Book: "Clinton was the funniest TV comedian of all time. Unfortunately, he died in 1872."
I heart donuts.

Apparently, so does Peanut.

Too cute!



London Bridge with Nana

17 Months...and video

I know this is really late. I'm ALMOST 18 months now for heaven's sake! But better late than never. This month, I got to meet one of my favorite people in real life. I have been reading ALL about her. I even have a doll like her. I'm sure you've heard of her. She's a bit of a hero. She helps take care of little orphans. She is a very strong girl, even though she is really little. Well, at least, that is what her biography wants you to think. Do you know who it is? Madeline of course. But let me tell you, those books are full of lies! That girl is HUGE. AND scary. With a really large head. Really. I have pictures to prove it.

"Doos" (juice), "sasi" (paci), "me" (more -accompanied by sign language, of course), "dy dy" (bye bye -well that's what everyone HOPES I'm saying), "hiiiii" (self explanatory), "cracker," "no", "baby" (said with a bit of a French accent) and "uh oh" may not make for the most stimulating conversations, but at least I can finally make my wishes known! Life is so much easier when I can tell people what I want. And I do. Often.

I was also put to work this month. I had to help Daddy build the foutain on the patio. One by one I carried all the rocks from his car, to the fountain. It was hot out there so I had to strip down to my diaper. I have a video to document all my hard work. Hopefully mommy can figure out how to get it on here.

Other than that, I have just been doing the usual. Playing with my friends, dancing, and being an all around cool kat. I hope you like my pics!

See? Told you! Scary!

I LOVE choo choos.

That's REALLY how Madeline looks.

Friends 4Eva

Sometimes we fight...

But we always hug and make up

No, my parents have not child proofed the plugs. And no, I do not stick my fingers in them.



Kissing the rock, you know, for good luck, wealth, health, happiness, etc etc




Playing house



Proof of Child Labor

I am 16 going on 17....

This is been a super busy month. My guncles finally sealed the deal and are no longer living in sin, we celebrated our country's independence, and of course I did all sorts of cute and adorable things including, but not limited to, introducing my 3rd tooth to the world!

We went to Lexington, VA to help celebrate the guncles nuptials. I can assure you, I was the cutest baby there; well, I was also the ONLY baby there, but even if there had been a MILLION babies I still would have been the cutest...I'm not bragging, you know it's true. It was my first wedding and I had a blast. My favorite part, of course, was the dancing. I could barely be dragged off the dance floor long enough for the mother/son dance. I decided not to sleep much on the car ride up or back home which made for a super time to bond with mommy and daddy...they were thrilled.

For July 4th, we went to visit my grandparents in Oriental. ALL of my cousins and aunts and uncles were there. They have the Croaker Festival on the 4th, and we went this year, just as we did last year. I have my second fever ever so I didn't feel that great, but I did see the parade and even got a little Laurelbug, I mean ladybug, painted on my cheek. I had to skip the fireworks though because I was just too sick.

In other exciting news, I am now somewhat bilingual. I can communicate with all of my deaf peeps. Well, I could at least tell them I want "more." Nana has been trying and trying to teach me to sign "more" and now I can! I must say, it DOES come in handy. I'm also adding to my verbal vocab with the words "baby," "cracker," and "doos" (juice). Right now, crackers and juice are pretty much my favorite things. I'm still dancing up a storm and even do a bit of singing. My own version of the ABC song and Old MacDonald had a Farm are particular favorites. I can also throw away trash on command. I love to open the trash drawer and throw things in it, really I do. I promise it's not because Mommy makes me because she's too lazy to do it herself...not at all. I LOVE to use my own spoon and fork. In fact, if I see those anywhere within a 5 foot radius I get very angry if I can't have them. Do you know what I do if Mommy or Daddy tries to feed me by using the spoon themselves? I just refuse to eat! That's right...works every time! Then they give it to me and I get to do it. I still pretty much don't get to eat because, in case you haven't noticed, it's hard keeping food on those silly utensils. But I never back down from a challenge.

There are a whole lotta pictures from the past month...I'll try to narrow them down for you. Thanks for reading!
My friend Scarlett. We take baths together. We're 1, we can do that.
Guncle Charlie on his Big Day
Rock on snack cup


Peek-
A-Boo
With Grandpa on Father's Day
That little girl sure is CUTE!
Ohhhh Bubbles (please ignore that Mommy is in her pj's)

Uh Mommy, I'm pretty sure this turtle is hanging on for dear life with you in here...
This is what happened when Daddy left an UNOPENED bag of cookies within my reach...
And THIS is what happened when Daddy decided to share (aka TAKE) my (previously known as his) cookies.
Modeling the dress Mommy made me for July 4th
A little unsure about the strange lady painting my face

Tour de France with Daddy (just kidding it's Tour de Croaker Festival, had you fooled didn't I)


Trying to spot the yummy fried twinkies that Mommy likes

Pushing my new stroller and pretending Puppy is my baby
Meat is murder...yet, surprisingly tasty.
Eating ribs with Daddy caveman style
Hangin' with my girlz
This is what the car dealership set up for us when Mommy got her car serviced
Just kidding, apparently they only roll out this red carpet treatment for Sponge Bob Square Pants, who was also at the dealership that day.

But it sure was fun!

I can feed myself Daddy!

Are you gonna clean this up or what??