One and a half

Who can believe it—one and half today!  Just 18 short months ago you came into our lives.  It’s been an amazing 18 months with so many things learned (for both you and for us).  It’s incredible to see you grow and learn each day.  You continue to keep us on our toes with your spirited personality.  You are really coming into your own and certainly know what you like and what you don’t and aren’t afraid to let it be known.

You’re our little firecracker—so full of energy but also so full of love.  You continue to shower us with kisses.  When we are playing or reading a story you’ll often just stop and purse out your lips for a kiss and then go back to whatever you’re doing.  It’s times like that when my heart melts.  However, there are other moments, like when you refuse to ride in your car seat and are kicking and squirming and just won’t sit still.  I’ve tried every bribe I can think of, but still it doesn’t work.  You are too smart for me sometimes.  You are also going through a phase where for whatever reason you don’t like to get dressed or have your diaper changed.  You run around your room half nudie and try and hide in the corner until I’m forced to come and get you.  Eventually you always cooperate but it’s usually on your terms.  You certainly are giving me good learning moments to exercise my patience.  I guess I have no one to blame but myself as your little stubborn personality is similar to my own. So in that case, what’s not to love.

Your vocabulary is continuing to grow and you are becoming quite the little sponge.  When we make a funny noise you often try and repeat it, which is both endearing and so funny.  We try and get you to repeat some words and your version is always close, but not quite there yet.  You are learning and I’m sure you will be a little chatterbox before too long.

There are a few new things that you absolutely adore.  One is running outside and shooing the ducks out of the pond with daddy.  You often go to the back door, point to your shoes because you want to go outside, and say ‘shoo.’  You love collecting treasures which are usually rocks and pinecones.  You have also become quite fond of the salad spinner, even when we are not washing lettuce.  You love to play with this contraption and watch the bowl spin round and round and then try and make it quickly stop by pushing the button. You love the park and going down the slides, you love Elmo and talk about the little red monster constantly.  You think Elmo is what the television is called and you will enthusiastically point at the screen and say ‘Elmo, Elmo, Elmo’ because you want to watch TV, not necessarily to see Elmo.  You like to dance and it’s so funny to see your moves.  You usually do the ‘chicken wing’ with just your right arm and enthusiastically bounce up and down.  You have a new tricycle that has a little compartment in the back just the perfect size for transporting Lamby.  You continue to be attached to this little lamb…almost too attached.  Morning, noon and night you want to hold and be close to Lamby, you talk about him often but you do give the little guy so much love.  More kisses and hugs and pats than I can count each day.  The other thing you like to do is page through magazines and point out the babies and the items you know.  You like to point to babies when we are out and about and enthusiastically wave and say hello.  You are not shy. You are happy and sweet with your big toothy grin.

Hooray for being 18 months today, hooray for being our little girl who we love so much.  We can’t wait to see what develops over the next 18 months.