20 months old

In a rowing boat with granny

Alina is 20 months old and doing great. Since the last time I wrote, she came down with a cold which required antibiotics but this time around she recovered very quickly and hasn't been ill since. Being in good health makes such a difference, we've done so many things with her and are really enjoying time as a family. Alina's begun to run. We've bought her a golf set and she loves throwing the balls down our driveway- which is on a slope- and runs after them. She's even introduced some of her friends to her new game.
We've taken Alina swimming a few times and she absolutely loves being in the water. We have to hold her back otherwise she'd throw herself in :0).
Alina loves animals. We went on a few nature trails and she loved seeing the pigs, the sheep and the chickens. She stayed with Alex's parents for a few days and couldn't get enough of their dogs and horses- whose names she knows already. It looks like we will be getting a pet pretty soon.
Alina is a big Peppa Pig fan but recently she's discovered Thomas the Tank and Chugginton. We went away to Dorset for a few days and took her on a stream train. She thought it was amazing and loved every minute of it. Especially when the train passed a castle, some cows and tents- words which she's recently learnt. It was great to show Alina how words relate to real life objects.
We love seeing her grow up. She now is begginning to repeat entire sentences and understands everything we tell her. It makes it so much easier to communicate. One part of growing up is pushing boundaries. Alina at times is testing our patience with little tantrums but so far we've stood our ground pretty well :0). Both Alex and I are pretty headstrong so we know that this is just the beginning but it's also the fun of parenting. It really makes me laugh when she throws her toys around because something that she was trying to do didn't work out. I can only imagine what I used to be like :0).
We love Alina very much and are so happy to have her in our lives.One thing is for sure, our days are never dull :0).

Hugs from the Houchins.

Hi...yes...who is this...Alina...bye bye..

Choo choo

Wow, is this really Thomas I am on?

Do you want to see my dance moves?

I love icecream