18 Months

Happy 18 months sweet baby girl! A year and a half of joy and happiness - hard to believe we're counting down to 2! You are busy as a bee these days and a hand full to keep up with, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Life is exciting when you are around - that's for sure!

October 9, 2010 - 18 months

Tradition is that we'll list 18 fabulous things you're up to with one to grow on:

• your vocabulary has caught on fire - you're repeating most everything anyone says - some of our favorite additions this month: luv you, (la ew), come on, let's go, sit down, (it dow), snack (ack), banana (bada).
  
• potty training has begun - at school! They are so impressed that you're so interested in the potty and Mommy and Daddy are pleased with an early start - time will tell if your interest continues.
• your memory is amazing - once you learn a skill or how to work a toy, you don't forget. You may not have seen a toy for months and are able to recall how to work it immediately.
• you continue to work on family members and recognizing people you see on a daily basis - this month we've added: Drew (dew), Stella (David's Aunt Stella), B (Megann's Aunt Betty)
• when we ask you how old you are - you'll hold up your index finger and say 'one' - it's super cute!
• you're quite the helper around the house - you love to 'clean up' and you'll even chant 'clean up, clean up' as we're picking up, you help clean up spills, help feed the dogs and help Mommy cook sometimes.
• you've identified yourself and come up with your own name - as we know and have been told by MANY people, we didn't pick the easiest name for you to say (or some worry to spell, not us, we think you're brilliant) - and have deemed yourself "Cat, Cat" - we love it and you do too.
  
• you LOVE ice! Ice is one of your favorite snacks - when you come to visit Mommy's office we have to visit the ice machine and get a cup of ice.
• you're a little on the bossy side (no idea where she gets this, just kidding!). When we visited the doctor on Thursday he didn't even step in the door before you looked him, pointed to his seat and said "sit down".
• you are extremely clear about your likes and dislikes - we're struggling a bit with food - seems you only want certain foods on certain days, but we're fighting the good fight and determined to stick with a healthy diet.
• at school your naps have gotten shorter, not longer and your teachers are working furiously to get you back to longer naps - you typically only sleep one hour or an hour and a half - no longer. At home, on a good day you'll sleep 2 to 2 1/2 hours - we'll take it - but hope that you'll eventually go to longer naps.
• you love baby dolls - Honey is with you a lot these days and you're very particular about where Honey sits when she is with you.
• you can throw a ball - not far, but a throw is a throw.
• you love to brush your teeth and did well at your first dental screening - every night you brush your teeth for several minutes.
• you pay more attention to the TV than before - you have a couple of favorite shows, but right now Mr. Moose (Nick Jr. narrator) and Backyardigins are by far your favorite.
• you hug and kiss your friends when you get ready to leave school - such a sweet girl.
• school still excites you - you often run to your classroom and sign in - most of the time not even looking back to tell Mommy bye bye - I have to remind you!
• dancing is a favorite past time -you've always loved music, but now even if you're in your car seat you bob to the music you like and dance your little heart out when music is playing.
• you are starting to pitch fits and Mommy and Daddy are scared about the approach of the terrible twos - we've never seen anything like a Bates-Cain fit - watch out world!

"I pray that the Lord will bless you . . . as long as you live."
Psalm 128:5