22 months.

Linna on July 7th, 2013. One day before she turned 23 months.

I can't believe we only have on more month where we can say Linna is a one year old! I swear I was JUST planning her first birthday party, and no we're onto her second. Linna is growing up so fast, and we are loving the age she is at.

This month, Linna told me she pooped in her diaper for the first time. The things we get excited about as parents, right?! Until now, she's never really told us when she does a number two. She just does it. It's very obvious when Linna is doing her business, and now when she's finished she says "uh oh mama". When I ask her if she did a poop, she replies "yay, big one".

Linna is talking so much, and repeats everything. I mean EVERYTHING, so we really have to watch what we say around her. She loves pretend play with animals and puppets, and she is obsessed with little toys. She would be completely content for hours, putting small objects from one bowl or bag into another bowl or bag. She loves trying to figure out how things work by taking things apart. She's definitely her father's daughter!

This month, AJ spent his first two weeks away from Linna and I (Linna and I flew back to MN early to go to my cabin for the Fourth of July), which was tough, but it's one of the sacrifices we made when moving to Singapore. AJ said Linna grew an inch and was talking so much more even in that two weeks that he was in Singapore. It's been really nice for both AJ and I being home in Minnesota, as we have a lot of help with Linna from family. Linna has been spending time with her Auntie Lisa who flew in from New York, Grandma and Grandpa Saigh, and Linna and I spent five days with my mom's side of the family at our cabin in Hawick, MN over the Fourth of July. Linna loved playing with all of her cousins, running around outside, and swimming in the lake. However, I do think she prefers the pool over the lake.

Linna and Mama at the Bauer's Fourth
of July Toddler Party.

Linna's Minnesota playgroup.
(Left to right) Linna, Nolan, JJ, Taylor, Lilah, and Clark. So cute!

Linna and cousin Maris at the Fourth of July parade
in Spicer, MN.

Pony ride.

Linna and cousin Kasen.

Eating a bag of kettle corn the size of her.

It took us about four days to completely rebound from our jetlag after flying from Singapore to Paris and then to Minnesota. Linna was a trooper, and for the last three weeks she has been sleeping in until 9:30 a.m., while still taking 2 to 3-hour naps in the afternoon. Plus, she's in bed by 9 p.m. at the latest. We're thinking she's growing, but we're loving Linna's current sleep routine! She's still eating a ton some days, and then very little other days, while still drinking whole milk. I'm really trying to limit her snacks in an effort to get Linna to eat more meals, as she is a big "on the go" eater.

We are loving being back home in Minnesota with our family and friends! Linna and I got to meet up with our old play group for a little Fourth of July toddler party at the Bauer's, before we headed to our cabin for the holiday weekend. It's amazing how much all of Linna's little friends have gown up. We plan on seeing Linna's ECFE friends while we're in Minnesota, and we'll have all her little friends together for her birthday party in August.

Can not BELIEVE we will have a two-year-old a month from now!

Linna seriously has no interest in taking these photos
every month. So tough to get her to stand still.