17th--18th Month Update

Although we did not travel this month, we managed to stay very busy. We had 3 playdates at our house and she went to 2 other playdates. Tori's social life is picking up ;). She was especially intrigued with a 4 month old baby, who she kept bringing her teddies and random toys. It was very sweet :)
Tori also got to visit the zoo this month. She added growling like a tiger and bear, roaring like a lion, and aa,aa-ee,ee-oo,00 ing like a monkey to her animal repetouire. New tricks this month include drinking from a cup more regularly and feeding herself. She likes to pretend that the bite is an airplane and zoom it around. One time, she was zooming the bite around and I said "are you taking an airplane bite,: and Tori shook her head vehemently. She turned around and pointed to the butterfly on her high chair. She now takes airplane, butterfly, bird, and frog (the other two animals on the back of her high chair) bites and each one looks a little different :).
After a glorious month long break from teething, Teething Tori is back in full force :( She now says orajel :) Right after the teething started, she caught two colds in a row (one from mommy and then one from daddy). We are very sharing :) I just hope she stays healthy for our trip to China!

Playing on the couch has become a favorite pasttime.

Whistle while you play :)

The cup is as big as her face :)

Teething :(

Helping Mommy wash dishes! She is quite the the little helper.

She has become a fast little one.

Pappa giving Tori a teddy bear :)

Tori and her Teddy :)

Playing with the bubbles from her lawn mower's exhaust.

Picnic lunch on the deck

Pappa and Tori cheering on Ohio State!

I love the look :)

Playing on her favorite jungle gym!

Tori's Trip to the Zoo!

Tori was in her strollers for the first five minutes and that was it :)

Tori and Mommy watching the bears.

The elephant lifted up a big stick. It was crazy!

Tori pointing to the Kangaroo.

Dat?

Pappa, Dat?

Pappa and Tori looking at the Monkeys. They put on quite a show for us.

Daddy giving Tori a lift :)

Pappa giving Tori a lift :) Birds eye view!

Tori and Pappa watching the penguins. I loved this exhibit!

Gram, Pappa, Tori and Mommy and the empty stroller.

An excited Mommy watching the Koala Bear.

Pappa feeding the bird some nectar.

Tori trying to figure out the lock!

Tori loved the farm area at the zoo.

Tori and Mommy playing outside with Soco and Titus.

Tori loves being outside. Love the knees:)

Madelyn and Tori taking a break from hunting pumpkins to play on the playground.

16th-17th Month Update

With trips to both grandparents to visit the mountains and the beach, this month proved to be another busy month. We have been taking advantage of only one nap a day and having lots more morning adventures (Mommy is loving the new schedule)! She went to her first playgroup and had a blast playing with all kinds of new toys...and the new kids. However, her favorite activity was wandering off to explore the house and visit the dogs in thier kennels. Her new favorite phrase is "good girl" said both as a telling statement and a question. She calls Soco "GoGo" most of the time with an occasional "Sogo." One time she said "Gogo good boy" or at least it sure sounded like it :)

She is having a break from teething and is, for the most, part sleeping through the night for 11ish hours. This is a good month!!! Enjoy the pictures:

Sleepy Tori helping Daddy make some coffee. She knows the whole process...she will have to teach me :)
She's awake now!


Tori deciding which puppet she wants to play with...all of them!

At the Nature Museum:

Gram helping Tori see the butterflies :)

Tori enjoying her reflection in the full length mirror.

Stopping to watch the ducks after the Nature Museum.

Pig-Tailed Tori...there is a Mommy resemblance after all:)

Tori, Pappa, and Sammy working on a puzzle.

Tori excitedly telling Pappa a story.

Tori hard at work making beautiful pictures :)

Tori playing with her barn silo. She still loves anything farm.

Tori's first hiking trip!!!

Resting up for the hike :)

An excited Tori riding on Daddy at the beginning of the hike.

Mommy, Daddy, and Tori

Picnic lunch on a huge rock overlooking a lovely stream. What more could you ask for!

Pappa walking Tori around after lunch.

"Dat?"

Soco enjoying the mountain stream. He insisted we stand by the edge of the water and watch while he gathered up enough courage to brave the water :)

The family in a pretty meadow at the end of the hike.

Tori helping Daddy pay bills.

"Up"

At Grandma and Poppie's House:

Tori helping Grandma water the plants.

:)

Tori's second time playing on the beach. We brought the camera this time!

Such a cutie!!!

Watching her shadow.

Tori had a ball building sand castles with Grandma.

Hard at work :)

Shovel sand into the bucket. Shovel sand out of the bucket. Best game ever!

Chasing the "caaaaats" was one of Tori's favorite pastimes :)

All ready for a walk around the neighborhood.

Tori showing Grandma the "caaaat."

Tori enjoying her dinner out.

Tori entertaining us at dinner.

When Tori decided she wanted out of the chair, she went around the table and asked each person to get her out. When that did not work, she turned to the friendly family she had been playing with throughout dinner and asked them to get her out :)

Tori showing Poppie the neat boats hanging from the ceiling.

Poppie joining Tori in pointing. "Dat!"

Tori playing with one of her favorite toys...Mommy's necklace :)