almost 2!

i can't possibly remember all the new changes (or at least remember them in one sitting to write this...), but every day brings new words, phrases, and ideas that lela can comprehend.  we can have regular conversations with her and she enjoys being involved in all decision-making that goes on around here.  :)  she has started doing this eyebrow wave that is beyond hilarious and when i get a clip of it, i'll share. she'll start a part-day enrichment program on september 4th (thanks to her mom that waited 3 1/2 hours in line for her to get into the program!... so embarrassing for me, but so necessary for her) where she will attend twice weekly for 3 hours each time.  it's a really small program and difficult to get into, so we're overjoyed that it all worked out.

lela and i went to brussels with "auntie m" and endured 100 degree temps to see the flower carpet in the grand place.  it was such a scorcher that many of the flowers were dying, but gorgeous and a sight to be seen, nonetheless.

our brussels apartment...

lela finally jumped out of her bedroom crib the other night... brant and i were so scared that we were screwed from here on out and had to move her into a real bed, but she hasn't done it since and we keep all gates shut so she doesn't end up downstairs eating cookies.

she started an all-girls hostel in her play area.  she has doilies laid out as beds and puts her dolls on them with fabric scraps for pillows and blankets.  she uses large buttons that serve as their suitcases.  she hugs and kisses each one to put them to bed and when she leans down to do it, she flattens all the others in a full-fledged body slam.  here is the hostel:

thinking about making progress on this one of these days... (update: first successful pee was today!  august 24!  woot woot, lela!!)

spanish flamenco dress from auntie m!!

lela has a fascination for diggers, tractors, and dump trucks.  mostly diggers... she talks about them all the time and could watch them for hours.

she is really polite - never misses a please, thank you, you're welcome, or bless you.  

we've decided that she is most apt to be a social worker since she is always worried about other people, animals, her babies, etc.

lastly, she got her first haircut last night!  almost 2 and got her first haircut... about time, right?  she now has a little bob with curls.  she loved sitting in the car chair they had... so much so that she didn't even realize the woman was cutting her hair!