Best new words of the week: PeeEuw (holding the nose) and Hallo (hello). Scariest words of the week: Elmo and Mr. Noodle. She is pretty much babbling constantly. It's really funny to listen to her talking. She has a couple of phrases that obviously mean something, but I have no idea what. I think one of my most favorite things she says is her name. She always sounds so confident when she says it. She's also taken to calling herself "baby Dalia" - I wonder why. In the store now she says "HI!" to everyone or "hiya". "Hi, baby" is another variation. She says "thank you" all the time, too, which is so sweet. It sounds more like "dat tho" but she signs as well so I know what she's saying.

Also, I think Dalia grew a couple of inches this week. Must be all the good sleep she is getting in her new bed. That's right, she has her own big bed now. She has been sleeping well for a week (for those of you who don't know, that is a miracle). Some people just don't want to be confined. I, myself would probably love a little crib, but Dalia is decidedly a different kind of person than me. She needs to spread out.

Anyway, a couple long awaited videos here.

words, words, words

Sorry sorry sorry for not posting for so long. Frankly, Dalia has been so interesting, I've just forgotten to take photos/videos. Well, we did take a couple of videos the last two nights, but I lost the camera chord behind the stereo, so you'll have to wait. In the meantime, here's the scoop - Dalia is talking. Mostly she is incoherent, but clearly talking about something.However, between her signing, sounds and new words, we are happy to say we mostly know what she is talking about/asking for/needing all the time. We sat down and recorded all her words and it filled a page, only for her to add another word or two per day. Yesterday she started saying "yeah" to go along with her new head nod. Here are some of the words we can remember:

Mommy
Daddy
Pops
Gee Gee (grammy)
hi
bye bye
up
out
ball
bath
Archer
ow
go
walk
bubble
baby
Bama
yuck
happy
nope
all gone
that
cup

signs:
more
help
milk
water
pear
love
moon
love
sleepy

sounds:
chicken/duck (man I hope we can get this on video)
woof woof
meow
airplane/boat/truck
ocean
elephant
tiger/lion


Also, Dalia has a potty that she has successfully used a couple of times, and yes we have photos, but I promised my mother I wouldn't post them. She's also learning how to pour, which is what this photo of her with soy milk all over her is all about. She refused to let me put the lid on her cup after she got the milk in there. Well, some things we all have to learn the hard way.

Finally, The Bailly's! We got to meet Zeke after a whole month of him being out in the world. It was a rocky start, but dude, you are cute and strong. Amelia graciously shared her books, toys and even let Dalia climb in her baby's bed. Yes, you heard that right, Dalia climbed in a little itty bitty bed. Jen and I only found out about it after we heard them come crashing down. At just 2 and 1 1/2, those two girls are already getting into mischief together and knew it. The look on their faces was priceless. We also got some good tickling in and I didn't know there could be another kid more ticklish than Dalia, but oh yes there is. Can't wait to see you again!

Best Friends

I don't know how we got so lucky to have such wonderful friends, but I'm so glad that Dalia and I get to grow up with Amy and Archer. Archer is Dalia's favorite friend. She walks around saying his name all day - which sometimes sounds like Archie but I promise I will not let her call him that, ever. She looks at his picture throughout the day, says his name and does her sign for love, which is tilting her head onto her shoulder. When I talk to anyone in the morning on my cell phone she thinks it's Amy and says his name over and over until I tell her if, yes, we are going to see them, or not. All of this swells my heart with love for Archer and his family more than I could have thought possible. I'm so glad we have you. You make our life feel complete.