The Baskins Family: 16 months. A little girl. A toddler.

OH my, I can't believe how long it's been since I wrote on the blog! I'm sooooo sorry! Kate is now 16 months old. She's no longer a baby. She's walking, trying to talk, testing her boundaries (and my patience), playing, loving, and is THE. BEST. BABY. GIRL. EVER! Without a doubt! Have I said she's no longer a baby? I can't believe how fast she's growing. It's really incredible and such a gift from the Lord to be able to watch her grow and teach her new things. She is definitely a sponge and soaking everything up. I have a pack and play set up in our room so when I shower and get dressed she can play (contained) and she loves to just stand there and watch me. One time I looked over while I was drying my hair and using my hand to run my fingers through my hair and she was running her fingers through her hair. My heart melted. I proceeded to pick up my brush and use it and I looked over at her and she was brushing her hair with the brush she keeps in her pack and play. PRECIOUS! She LOVES to give kisses to anybody that will take them (we are working on this! ha). She will obey (most of the time) and continues to exceed our expectations. She's been trying to shake an ear infection for a few weeks now and is hopefully on the mend, but you wouldn't know it. She's such a great girl! She's just recently taken an interest in tickling. She'll even say her version of "tickle, tickle, tickle" while she does it. I'm really trying to soak up the little moments. I thank the Lord for blessing me with this beautiful baby girl. I'm learning so much about myself and my relationship with the Lord. Being a mom is not easy. In fact, it's the hardest thing I've ever loved. For sure. It's stressful and challenging every single day, but I wouldn't have it any other way. The Lord continues to reveal Himself to me through Kate and through the daily challenges of staying home. It's not easy, but so rewarding. I'm so proud of Kate, but her being as good as she is has nothing to do with me. She'd be crazy if it was me! The Lord gives me patience, wisdom, and strength to care for her the way that He has called me to. I've really enjoyed staying home with Kate for these past 16 months. For those of you that don't know, before I had Kate I taught 3 year olds at the preschool at our church. I was a teacher one year and assistant for 2. Aside from being a Mom, it's my favorite job in the world. I love my 3 year olds and co-workers and have missed being there so much. Since being pregnant with Kate our intentions were for me to go back and take Kate with me. So after a long wait, it's finally time to begin preparations for going back! I'm so excited about it and I can't wait for Kate to learn to love this place and women like I do. It's going to be so great for her to be able to be there and learn to interact with other kids and anything else that her magnificent teachers will teach her. I absolutely cannot wait to be back! I've missed it so much. Have I mentioned I love it there and I've missed it? AGH! So in September Kate will be a Butterfly and I will be some other animal. :) I don't care what, but I just know it's going to be GREAT!
Well, I've talked enough. I'll post some pics from the past few months.