Brianna is such a cutie! I can't believe how lucky I am to be able to spend so much time with an adorable 14 month old. Of course time is slipping by way too fast and, of course, I remain wistful about that. I love watching her personality continues to emerge. She is quite serious most of the time - concentrating and purposeful.

Purposefully climbing on top of our dining room table.

Purposefully sitting on Ellis' back to ride him like a horse.

Purposefully giving THE.BEST.HUGS. Even her teacher at daycare remarked on this! She will grab the back of my head with both hands, pull me into her face and then hold on for about 5 seconds. I LOVE.THIS.SO.MUCH!!

Purposefully eating most things -- favorites including raisins, mozzerella cheese, and pasta. Still gives the 'all done' sign language sign when she wants to get down from her high chair. When we pick her up she will feverishly grab a 'roadie' (last handful of food.)

Purposefully and intently watching, admiring, and mimicking her big sister. Tonight I was actually able to fully brush Brianna's teeth (all 7). She patiently waited while I sang the ABC song and brushed back and forth. She only tolerated this because she is so used to standing with Gabriella while she gets her teeth brushed.

Purposefully avoiding, squirming, screaming whenever a diaper change is needed. I have no idea what is so aversive to this other than it CONFINES her for more than 30 seconds. I am definitely going to try to potty train her as soon as possible!

Purposefully sleeping with Mommy and Daddy EVERY night. We officially cosleep. I'm not worried as Gabriella slept with us for nearly 2 years and now she sleeps independently all night. Speaking of which.. bed is calling and who can resist snuggling up to a soft cuddily 14 month old who gives great hugs? Goodnight....

Raising a Vegetarian

Despite our efforts at providing lots of veggies, fruit, tofu and beans, Brianna, our independent, determined, precocious little munchkin continues to amaze. Most recently, she has decided to give us the toddler version of the middle finger by finding immense pleasure in eating cat food. It's like baby-crack to her.

How much money do we spend on organic food each week?

Tonka Truck

One of Brianna's nicknames has been adopted from my coworker. She affectionately calls her son a "little Tonka Truck" as he is 4 years old but the size of a 6 year old. We have started referring to Brianna as a Tonka Truck as she literally plows through anything and doesn't get easily startled or swayed. An example occurred just a moment ago. We have rather large dining room chairs. She was trying to climb up on one and it fell over backwards. I was prepared to see her start screaming in alarm.

Not even a peep.

She stood up, walked around to the back of the chair and gave it her best effort to pick the chair back up. (And she almost did it!) I came over and we picked up the chair together. She walked back to the front and climbed up on the chair, for the first time ever. She cracks me up!

Another quick example: we have a baby gate set up to keep the kids away from our kitty litter area. Brianna is always peering under the gate, trying to crawl under (she's a little too big to fit.) One day she had enough. She stood up and just pushed her way through the gate. It completely fell down. Now this may not sound like a big deal but we keep these gates up HARD to keep our Golden Retrievers out. And, to this day, my oldest child and my two Goldens have not been able to push it down.

Hence, OUR little tonka truck!