An inside glimpse to family madness…
18 months
Speck Dances for Cousin Zak
Feb 25th
Dancing for Cousin Zak.
Dancing with Mama.
Obviously the monster LOVES an audience.
Speck goes to the ZOO (first trip)
Feb 24th
While cousin Lauren and Zak were visiting we all went to Zoo. This was Speck’s first time to the Houston Zoo, actually any zoo for that matter. She enjoyed the Elephant (which her favorite animal), monkeys, giraffes, and the petting zoo. Being her first time she was a little apprehensive but cousin Zak made her very comfortable. She even got to ride the carousel for the first time with none other than Zak. After the zoo, we went shopping at zoo souvenir shop.
Zak, Mommy, Lauren, Nana, Uncle Drew, Daddy and Speck.
Speck and Cousin Lauren.
Zak took Speck on her first carousel ride.
Mommy and Speck with the Elephant.
Speck reads with Uncle Drew
Feb 22nd
Speck hangs with her buddies
Feb 20th
Speck and the family apply for passports
Feb 16th
Speck is not even two yet and is already starting the process of becoming a world traveler. Step 1 – Get passport. Big day for us all. 
Daddy does some last minute outfit checks to make sure everything is in order before we take pics. The process itself was long and dirty, but it had to get done. No passports no world travel.
Speck loves her luxurious baths
Feb 16th
I have to admit she spends alot of time in the bathtub. She loves to play in the water. ANd who wouldn’t want to spend all day in the bathtub if it meant playing with a million bath toys. 
Speck enjoys a new park with MJ and Zach
Feb 15th
Speck and mommy met Chantal, MJ and Zachary at a park nearby for Valentine’s Day. The kids had so much fun as you can tell. And Speck and MJ both made a new friend.
Speck and MJ stare back at the camera with the “why does that thing keep flashing in our face” look. 
Chantal and MJ swinging high 
Speck and mommy stationary swinging 
Speck feeds herself
Jan 31st
It was a brand new yogurt and she fed herself from start to finish!!! Mommy is so proud.
Speck’s new words (so far)
Jan 31st
Speck’s vocabulary has been growing rapidly for the past few months. It’s amazing to watch her learn and repeat words that we just take for granted.
She calls Pepper – Pa pa
Tweeter has been named – Doe Doe
She still uses sounds for a number of other animals:
Dog – arf arf
Cat – meow (both our cats are called that)
Horse – Neigh
Sheep – Baa Baa
Cow – it used to me Mmmmm now it’s Moooo
Lion – Argh (sounds more like the clearing of her throat)
Tiger – same as above
Juice – Jews (i swear that’s what it sounds like)
This and that – these days everything is This or that. (it’s all those options we give her I guess)
Snack (any kind) – Aveeya. ( I have no idea where she got this from)
Elmo – Sounds like Um Ma
Greeting – HIYA
Night night – sounds like Nigh Nigh
See ya – Eee Ya
Her friend MJ is – Emm
At first she started calling all babies/toddlers – Ta Ta but has since graduated to calling them all Bee Bee.
Yogurt – Ta Ta and now Bee Bee (her yogurt has a pic of a baby on there, i am guessing that is where she got it from)
Shoes – Ties (that’s what it sounds like. This is one of the first words she made up on her own and it’s stuck with her. Yes people she calls her shoes TIES. don’t ask)
Socks are called – Tox (that’s what it sounds like)
Button – Butt
Trees and leaves are all – Tea
Thank you – Taa Tea
Please – Peeeeeease (we’ve taught her to drag it out for obvious reasons)
Body Parts- Speck has been learning body parts for a while now:
Head – Head
Hair – Hay
Toes (does quite say the word)
Nose – Noe
Knees – Nee
Eyes – Eyezz
Eyebrow – eyebow
Ears – EeeAhh
Cheek – no word for it yet, but she knows where it is
Chin – Cheeee
Hands – no word for it yet
Rice for some reason has turned into – Bice
Ice – Ice (come on that’s pretty simple)
Water – Waa Waa
Nuggets – Nugg nugg
Speck update
Jan 21st
Well here’s a developmental update for me and you (yes this has become my baby book )Speck is now a little over 18 months old. She’s a sponge. She’s got tons of teeth. She’s growing taller by the day. She’s finally putting on a decent amount of weight and filling out a bit. Her hair is below her shoulders, daddy’s orders are to not cut his baby’s hair. She’s definitely growing up to be a very affectionate little girl. She has brought more joy to our lives than we ever imagined.
Speck loves her elephant
Dec 27th
The beautiful angel just loves her elephant. She got it for Hannukah/Christmas. Thanks mom mom
Just a beautiful shot
Dec 17th
I just loved this picture so much. We went to see santa at the neighborhood clubhouse, alas we got no pictures of him. (pssst….. i think speck is frightened of the big red jolly fellow, but don’t tell anyone)
18 months old
Dec 11th
On Dec 10th 2007, Speck turned 18 months old. She’s gone from a little baby into an energetic little Toddler. I call her my little person. She’s turned our lives upside down and inside out and it’s all in the best way possible. Her laughter, whining (yes she does that from time to time), smiles, frowns, giggles, sulks, and all other expressions make my heart melt. She takes my breath away. Could she be any cuter ?!?!?!
Below is the drama that ensued at the Dr. Barry’s office at her 18 months check up which happened to be on her 18 month Birthday. Just to be clear this picture was captured before the doctor showed up. We started off the visit in this fashion. I hope all future trips are not this dramatic coz at the end of the day the Doc/Nurses/Office Staff can and will only take so much before they politely ask you to leave and never come back. Health wise speck is doing great. She’s in the 20th %tile for her weight and 50th %tile for her height (go figure). All in all we get a thumbs up for effort. And then come the obligatory immunizations. OH!! THE HORROR!!! (I can relate though, mommy hates needles too)
