I don't even know how to start this update. Leila is....beautiful. Inside and out. She is feisty and FUNNY. So, so, so funny. Christian always makes me laugh because of what he says, but often he is totally weird. Leila just has it. She doesn't even need to use words to be a complete comedian and she constantly keeps me on my toes. About 7 weeks ago, I started watching my friend Emily's foster child. Her name is Elizabeth and she was 19 months when she first joined us. She is a fire cracker too, and although Leila and Elizabeth butt heads, I have been completely amazed at how much Leila has grown. So many of my fears of having this new baby have been alleviated as I watch Leila interact and play with someone younger than her. I can often hear Leila calling out, "M'on!" which means come on. She calls Elizabeth "Baby" and will constantly give her hugs and kisses. In so many ways it is like having twins, and it has been such a joy to watch Leila grow into the role of older sister. I can't wait for this new baby to join our family now!
Leila's speech has been a continual problem. SO many people have told me to just wait, and that it would come; that one day I would be so surprised because she would just start talking. While I have appreciated the love and reassurances, I also knew in my gut that it just wasn't true. She and I have been working continuously on making new sounds and trying new words, and she really is making leaps and bounds, but the doctor has finally scheduled her to be evaluated at the end of this month to see if her speech problem is neurological or muscular. I am, of course, praying that she just needs to strengthen the muscles in her tongue and mouth, but look forward to the help and guidance I know I will receive from speech therapy regardless of the problem. Right now, her speech is considered on target for a 12-15 month old, and she is 28 months. We have some definite ground to make up, but I know that once she learns to speak, NOTHING will hold this little girl back.
At her most recent doctor's appointment, Leila was in the 95th percentile for height, and 50th percentile for weight. So while she is not as tall as her brother, she is definitely tall for her age! Right now Leila loves:
Cheez-its
My Little Pony
Any animals - stuffed or real
"titchers" (stickers)
The Jungle Book
Running anywhere as fast as she can
Snuggling with her Daddy
Drawing/Coloring/Arts and Crafts
Jumping on the trampoline
Nuggets from Chick fil A
Her Best Friends Are:
"Tistan" (Christian)
Elizabeth
Elaine
And now for the onslaught of cuteness.
This girl LOVES her ponies.
Here, she stole someone's Thomas the Train hat. Basically, nothing your kids leaves out will go untouched by Leila.
Throwing a tantrum is a daily occurrence
Happy 4th of July from the cutest girl!
This is from her trip with Dad and Christian to visit Aunt Jen.
Meeting one of Aunt Lesley's horses. She was in love.
While she may be small, she is scrappy. I am always on the watch to see who she may be trying to crush or beat up. Here she is getting CJ to submit!
A toothbrush, headband, tutu, and My Little Pony shirt is all she needs to be happy
Visiting San Francisco. She loved the Bay and watching all the boats and birds.
Arts and Crafts time!
Mom trying to get her to laugh.
Dad can always get a genuine smile...this girl loves her Daddy.
On our way to the zoo!
Need I say more?
Leila got a date with Mommy and Daddy too. We had a great time.
She is wild and crazy though. Why use puppets when you can just stick your head out?
Well, we had a great time until it was time to have her hair cut, of course.
While CJ hated the sand, Leila couldn't get enough of the beach. She is my water baby for sure.
Here she is angry and raging that I am taking her picture while she devours her hamburger.
This Minnie Mouse hat is her favorite.
And who can forget her Rainbow Dash costume? <3>
She is so crazy and inventive. I never know what to expect from her.
Messy face and hair, don't care.
Wanting to be a big girl and go to school with Christian
It's so fluffy!!!!!
She would have taken that unicorn home if she could have.
And, of course, we can't forget the story where Mom couldn't find Leila ANYWHERE, only to discover her in the garage watching the iPad in a laundry basket. Sometimes, she just needs her alone time!
There was something about this picture that just transported me to the future. I can see her, 15 years from now in this photo.
Leila, you are fun and hilarious and sweet and sooo defiant. I love everything about you, and you also frustrate me to no end. As your current favorite book says though, "I love you any way you are. I love you because you're you."
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