Krysta Martinez: Sweety Sweet

It's been a couple months since I have given an update on Liana (we still call her Sister). She is just the sweetest baby I could imagine. I call her my little sweet shop because she is like an entire candy store bundled into one sweety sweet baby. She is so cute and cuddly, toting her soft white and pink heart blanky around. She brings it up to you to sit in your lap and cuddle and when it's nap time or bedtime she gets her blanky and cuddles up. She practically puts herself to bed when it's time.

Cuddly Girl

Liana learned to walk at the early age of 9 months, and quickly mastered the skill. However, we noticed that she doesn't walk only forward like most babies. She walks all directions- backward, sideways, backward circles. You name it. She would be walking forward, then bust out with a sideways walk, or a backward circle. One day, I was sitting on the living room floor and she walked up to me standing face to face with me then started turning backward and did a complete circle to sit in my lap.

A trip to the park.

She has also developed a love of climbing, which makes me crazy. I can't turn my back on her without finding her on the kitchen counter, up on the back of the couch, or on top of a dresser. I had to move her toy box, because she kept standing on the top of it and it's super wobbly. I'm telling ya, if an object will give her 2 inches more height, she will stand on it.

Climbing on the back of the couch.

Sister gives the best great big hugs and even knows how to give kisses. You tell her "kiss kiss!" and she gives a big smoochy on the cheek. She hasn't quite learned how to stick out those lips yet, they are pretty much tucked in. Nonetheless, her kisses will melt your heart.

Fun at the Mall

Since Liana turned one, she has gained a strong independent streak. She used to ride in strollers and carts without complaint, but those days are now behind us. Even when I buckle her in, she Houdinis her way out. She can no longer be contained, which makes it "fun" to sit through church. She climbs over and under the bench and tries to escape at every opportunity.

Lounging in the Target shopping cart for once instead of trying to escape.

Another skill she learned after turning one is what I refer to as "evasive maneuvers." She learned pretty early that if she's not going to get trampled on by Keira that she needs to stand up for herself. Keira has a habit of taking things out of Sister's hands so now when she thinks something is going to be taken from her, she grips it tight and starts dodging her arms back and forth. She looks like a football player trying to keep someone from taking the ball.

Bowling with Keira

Whenever she is in a restless or grumpy mood, we put on a Tinker Bell movie for her. We have learned that, for whatever reason, she is completely intrigued by any of the Tinker Bell movies and will stop what she is doing and watch the whole movie.

Watching Tinker Bell.

Lately, she has been pretend cooking with a bowl and plastic spoon. She walks around with the bowl stirring and pretending to eat.

Pretend "cooking"

Liana LOVES to eat fresh fruit which surprised me, because Keira doesn't like any fruit. Her favorites so far are strawberries, bananas, watermelon, and grapes.