Catching up

I have let down my precious second daughter by not writing more about her and her development. Tori, I am so sorry and I hope to make up for it in this blog soon!
She is sooo different from Bella. She started walking later (late 10th month,) she babbled sooner (with none of the grunting that Bella loved to do,) and she has a wonderful playmate (lately) that Bella didn't get because she was the first. Bella has had her bumps in the road of learning how to be the big sis'. But, now she seems to listen and understand that Tori is a person with feelings and she can't snatch everything away from her because she's (slightly) smaller. Tori says certain words when she wants to like, a-bane (airplane), oggie (doggie), and ba (ball). She loves her "Little Angel" dolly from Wal-Mart, I've seriously considered buying another one to have as a spare in case she loses this one. She loves to bit the feet. I need to post more pics but, I'm lucky to get as much done as I do now.
Tori is a sponge and I feel like I should be buying flash cards to enrich her into a genius, but that effort goes out of my head almost as soon as I think of it.
Bella would benefit from that too I might add. She has really blossomed lately. She recognizes most numbers and letters. She asks great questions. She even draws circles and stick figures (after watching me do it since that's all I can do).
She loves to play pretend especially while she's supposed to be napping! I hope her nap time isn't going away, I truly love that time to myself.
Bot the girls eat really well. I had to put my foot down about a few issues Bella was having at the dinner table and other times when she wants to make a scene. She really responds well to discipline and listens when she knows there are consequences. I have a feeling year 4 for her may be really challenging for me. Man, I hope I can handle it!
Tori is still pretty easy. She wants to go out the door if it's open and throws a fit for what she wants. She's really strong and feisty sometimes and really smiley and cuddly other times. She's is a head turner. Everywhere we go she gets a compliment on her eyes. They really are gorgeous and remind me of my mother's. She is a gorgeous baby. She looks so much like Tommy when he was small.
Bella's hair is the color of honey with blond streaks. It's so funny to see my girls, each with one light feature like my mother. Weird.
I am feeling very adventurous ( which is also weird because I have still have shoulder pain like crazy) and we are going to drive to the beach, just us girls. We will meet Leslie and Ashlyn there and only stay for a couple of days. I pray that it goes the way I hope.
I am also having a small yard sale in the morning in hopes to fund the trip and this is no small feat. I really am not being very organized about it at all. I needed to have done a few more things to prepare! But, I am feeling adventurous so I may as well go with it. This is a great contrast from my "oh, we can't possibly go anywhere today, it's just too much work" mentality.
We mostly stay home or go to the local parks. Sometimes we swim, but that is short-lived with a one-year-old. She still naps in the morning and afternoon. Bella really could have gone to the Summer pre-school program for better entertainment. But, I thought we would have no problem. Goes to show you what I know about that.
Bella will go back to school September 8th. I can't believe it's almost here, I feel like it's still May.
I hope I caught up on some of the key events going on around here.