Apologies...

Apparently working full time and going to school get in the way of blogging.  Who knew?  Oh, right.  Everyone.  Anyway, for those who use this site as their only means to see Lola pics, I owe you at least that!
Lola is now 18 months old, and while we didn't make a sign, we DID do a chair picture:

Developmentally, Lola is thriving - she is running around, climbing anything that will stay still (and some things that won't), dancing, hugging and kissing, and talking.  The talking is the BEST - we finally feel like Lola can participate and make her opinions known.  Sharing the opinions - not too much of an issue for her (she is, after all, a Zive woman). 

Lola's favorite words and phrases currently include the following.  I need to get some Lola talking video...
Happy
Shoes/Boots (again, my daughter)
Apple, Banana, Moo (meaning milk)
Moo (meaning cow), Baa, Meow, Whoooo (and assorted animal sounds)
Yellow
Hello
Hi
Bye Bye
Helpy (which is a contraction for "Help Me" based on the included sign language)
Light (and commands like, "Light On!")
KITTIES!
I do it
Yum
Night Night
All Done
Yep
No
Away! (this is about putting things away, which Lola enjoys - maybe we SHOULD do some genetic testing, because this clearly doesn't come from me or Ted)

In October, we went to the pumpkin patch and Lola surveyed the options:

Lola had 3 different Halloween costumes this year, but her cutest is demonstrated below, along with her jack-o-lantern.  We even went trick or treating!

Lola's hair is getting long and super cute (very curly in the back).  I am fearful of baby hair doing in general, but luckily our day care is less scared, and Lola often comes home with very cute pigtails.  The worst part is getting out the little elastic things - they are made for baby hair, but I still think they pull too much, so I end up cutting them out usually.  It's just a matter of time before I cut a chunk of her hair as she pulls away from me while I do it so I am actively looking for other processes.

Ted discovered a great Portland Park - the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.  It is a really pretty spot hidden near the Eastmoreland Golf Course.  There are pretty bridges, a lake/pond thing, geese and ducks, and nice walking paths.  Lola spent some time experiencing each of these:

Basically, we've been having a blast.  More soon.  Or not soon, but more eventually.  I swear.