22 months

Last week, Malaikah hit 22 months.  Two months until she's two (and all the craziness that comes with it) and it seems hard to believe.  Also hard to believe?  That she's now a big sister!  For a long time -- most of my pregnancy, really -- I was hoping for a girl. I had visions of that sisterly bond (something I don't have), of sharing a room, clothes, dolls, secrets, etc.  I though since they'd be so close in age that that would be important and sweet.  It wasn't until the last few weeks that I became convinced I was having a boy, and began to think that could have its own specialness to it, too.  Malaikah being the only girl -- MY girl -- is so special.  And she will have no trouble keeping up with  her brothers. Of that, I'm sure.

We have one feisty girl on our hands, for sure!

She's independent and confident and knows what she wants.  She's not afraid to push Kyalo around to get what she wants (basically, anything he touches).  It won't be long till she's bossing both Kyalo and Kioko around, ruling the roost!

Because, really, who can say no to this face:

July 10 - 22 months

She can climb into her high chair and car seat.  She's mastered some more words ("hi" & "bye") and some half-words: rhy-der {right there}, diz {this}, eeze {cheese} and so on.  She calls Kioko 'Bay-bee' or 'KoKo' with the cutest upward inflection, so we're all pretty much following suit.

She's working on her mothering instincts.

we will keep working ;)

She LOVES music and to dance, and reading, and imitating Kyalo -- she'll be playing baseball in no time.  She is happy almost all of the time, willing to help me with Kioko getting diapers and the like.

Some other recent pictures.  

Eating her first homemade Fudgescicle (they were amazing - def making them again) on a hot summer day.  She loved it, of course.

 July 17

July 17

those eyes!

These last two photos are from today - I even grabbed the big camera for these shots!  Her eyes are really striking to me - big, brown and soulful.  I love looking at them, esp in pictures like this one above where she's looking directly at the camera.  

Since she came home from my parents' house a week or so ago, I really haven't been able to get over just how huge she seems.  Compared to Kioko's 7 pounds 10 + ounces, her 24 pounds seems like a deadweight.  And her legs seem like tree trunks now compared to his scrawny little sticks.  Funny just how different they are.

I need to go. Can't seem to settle Kioko - back to late night fussiness and feedings -- but other than that little hiccup, we're doing well and Malaikah is doing well. She's going to rock the big sister/middle child roll.