Hannah

Hannah has matured a lot in the last few months.  I don't know if she understands that a baby is coming and she's going to be a big sister, or if she has just grown up.  She continues to climb on everything, is always asking "where are we going?" and has lots of facial expressions.

Hannah never wants to keep her shoes and socks on.  Ever.  She loves to pick out whatever footwear she will be wearing, but they never stay on long.  Within seconds of being buckled into her carseat - they are off.  

On a day we were enjoying the snow this winter, Hannah insisted on pulling out her stroller from the garage and wanted to sit in it.  Guess she was in need of a rest.  Within a few minutes Hannah had her snow boots off!  She had her hat, coat, mittens and snow pants - but hey, kick off the boots!

On another snow day, we built a snow family and one that ended up being named the snow doggy.  Everyday until he melted Hannah had to check on snow doggy - petting him and giving him kisses.  She loves dogs.  The first thing she asks Papa Richard is "where is the doggy?"  At the mention of going to Papa Steve and Gramma Connie's she wants to see Sadie.  On the couple days of nice weather we've had this spring, she always wants to check on the neighbor's dogs, George and Izzy. 

She is animal crazy.  A bird had flown into the garage one night and the next morning Lucas opened the kitchen door and the bird flew inside.  Without too much effort we got the bird back outside but the kids remember it!  Hannah asked where the bird's coat was - she was worried about it being cold.  

If Hannah has been quiet for just a little too long she can usually be found in the bathroom doing one of two things - 1) brushing her teeth or 2) putting on a band aid.  She loves both.  

She is so good at taking care of her babies - all (what seems like) 100 of them.  Rocking, feeding, burping - she is a good mama.  She also likes to pretend to do my hair - dry, brush, spray - the whole bit.  As much as she loves her cowboy boots, the dirt and animals, she is a girly girl, too.  

I would have loved to pack her up and take her with on my second trip to Belgium but I thought she might get hungry on the 9 hour flight.  

She also may have inherited my worst habit - junk food.  She loves cookies, candy, treats, anything sweet!  If I am in the kitchen for more than five minutes, she automatically is scooting the bar stools around the kitchen "I watch" she says.  But it isn't as convenient for her just to watch... she has to "help" by taste testing, stirring, pouring, spilling, etc.  I love her eagerness to help so I usually just try to limit the mess and clean up whatever creation we have.  

Hannah and Lucas have started playing a lot of hide and seek around the house.  She loves to cover her eyes and count to ten.  She always looks in the same spots for Lucas so it isn't too challenging for him, but he is a good sport.  Most of the time, Hannah refers to Lucas as "Brudder." 

Somewhere Hannah picked up on the words "chicken butt."  What?!?!  Yes, you read that correctly.  Anyway, we've told her it's not really a nice thing to talk about and we don't need to say it.  The other night at Dave & Maggie's something made her think of it.  She said it, everyone laughed and we said "no more."  Maggie was holding her and she said it one more time.  Maggie said, "Hannah, mommy said no more."  Hannah looks over at me, looks back at Maggie and MOUTHS THE WORDS chicken butt.  I can't even make this stuff up - this girl is going to give me a head full of gray hair.  But I do love her and boy, does she make us laugh! 

She's growing up fast and has her own personality.  Her best saying is, "love you, mama."