Summertime and the living is easy - unless you have a 2 yr old ;)

It's been stifling hot this summer. But we're still having fun trying to stay cool.

Luci's verbal skills continue to amaze us. She can say her ABCs and count from 1 to 11. (From 11 she continues on to 13, 17 and 18 - random). She repeats back practically everything we say. This morning she said to Kai 'hey goose, you need to get up right now'. I'm learning to watch my mouth. She is also turning quite bossy in her old age - she likes to tell mommy, daddy and Jack where we can sit - when we can go downstairs or upstairs and when it's time for us to go to bed. Poor Jack gets the worst of it. But he's a trooper.

She loves learning about animals and playing with her baby dolls. And she really really loves the pool - she likes to go down the slide and jump in from the side - she loves it so much that she cries every time we leave.

She's transitioned well to her new 2 yr old classroom - but is still having difficulty sleeping. When she gets overtired she repeats the word 'no' and waves her arms out in front of her for 20 minutes straight - no exaggeration. She's a little bit nuts. Just like the rest of us.

Here are some recent pictures of Ms. Luciana and family:

cooling off by eating some mystery blueberry watergate salad that daddy made

sitting next to her new easel courtesy of Mimi & Poppy in her new gorgeous rocking chair that Captain made her for her birthday

posing in her bathing suit, jellies and hat (we're painting our kitchen)

chatting with Paw-Paw on the computer during her birthday

Climbing the rock wall at Museum of Life & Sciences

building blocks

at the Durham Bulls game

Mimi, Mommy and Looch showing off our Durham Bulls hats with Poppy and Kai at the Durham Bulls Ballpark

eating birthday cupcake and ice cream

At Kerr Lake, Luci shows off her paddling skills

Mimi, Luci and Daddy at the lake on July 4th

Luci giving herself a manicure in her new bathrobe from Mimi.

Lucy in her new play house (purchased off of Craigslist) - a gift from Mommy & Daddy for her 2nd birthday.

Chilling poolside.

A Star is Born

We took Luci to Portrait Innovations today for her 2nd 'professional' photo shoot. She really hammed it up - in between takes she kept running into the dressing room and posing in front of the mirror. She did a great job taking direction from the photographer. We were pretty amazed considering she's been a bit of terror as of late. We transitioned her out of her crib recently and she's been having difficulty napping - nap time now equates with time to trash her room. Hopefully she'll adjust soon and we'll all get more sleep.

TWO!

Little Luci has hit the big 2.

She's had a jam-packed 4-day weekend of activities to celebrate - pictures will be posted shortly.

But for now, we'd like to wish our little girl a very happy birthday. We love you more than we thought was possible. Happy Birthday Sweet Luciana!