19 Months

It's been a month of fun and exciting changes. You are talking and communicating more and more, and growing up right before our eyes. Our greatest battle is with the whine-ies, which come out frequently, but with reminders, you quickly put on a "happy" voice and says "peeees" to get whatever it is you want. You are generally a happy and easygoing kid, though you get shy sometimes around new people or new situations. Sharing your toys is tough, but you do pretty well. You've started telling jokes, which we never understand, but always think are adorable. I wish I had one on video, but you get this silly expression, kind of wrinkle up your noise, and a funny tone in your voice like "ah, that's soooo silly" and you jabber on about something and crack yourself up. Your smiles, giggles, jokes, hugs, and kisses really do light up our lives.

You're in daycare 2-3 days a week at Shannon's house. Shannon does tons of activities and art projects with you, and you love most of the other kids who go there (Julian and Nina, Zella and Zack, and especially Zella's sister Emma). You're not crazy about the new baby who started a couple of months ago and who takes up Shannon's attention, or Cam who hits sometimes. You made this incredible finger painting a few weeks ago, with beautiful pinks, yellows, and greens and meticulously placed little finger prints. I feel good about the balance right now with time that we spend together and time that you spend with Shannon and the kids--I think it's good for everyone, though it's been hard for me to come around to the idea of putting you in "daycare". You love Shannon, though, and it seems like you're happy and excited when you go there and you give her big hugs and kisses when it's time to leave.

You're doing a great job on the potty. Our routine during the week is we all get up together around 6:45, and you sit on the potty and drink your bottle and read books to yourself while your dad makes coffee and I make oatmeal. You almost always poop in the potty, but still don't tell us when you need to go. We're optimistic, though.

I went on a week-long trip to Oxford the end of March and you and your dad stayed on your own. Nana and Papa came up for a few days and played with you. It was one of the few times that they've had you all to themselves, and they loved it. Cindy said how fun and easy going to you were, and how you were talking so much. I missed you so much while I was away, especially the last few days. We didn't really talk or Skype because I was afraid that would be harder or confusing for you. You and your dad did great, despite the fact that he was crazy-busy with work and a single parent. I hope that your time together will make the dynamic in our family more equal, as you can be a bit clingy to me sometimes.

Things you love:

The hot tub (when you hear the word, you immediately run to your room and find your swimsuit), cheese and cheesy bunnies, and Alivea (who comes to babysit you on Tuesday
afternoons and is the funnest babysitter ever).

Your pacifier and green blanket. You still don't have a word for them (you kind of say "pass") but it's always clear what you want. You're usually good about putting them in your crib in the mornings and after your nap, but it's hard for you. You kind of make this noise like "ahh, do I have to?" but you're good-natured about it and eventually drop them in.

You love your stuffed animals--you like to carry them around, tuck them in with blankets, feed them food (real and pretend), making cookies in your little kitchen, and your grandparents (both sets) who spoil you and love you so much.

You love riding in the chariot, pretending you're driving the van, holding hands (with us and with your friends), and playing the harmonica.

Don't forget:

• Swimming at the pool! Gorge young parents happy hour in the wading pool Thursday evenings when loads of friends/couples with young kids take over the baby pool. The little ones make trips back and forth between the pool and the bucket in the corner, filling it up, climbing in and out, etc. It took you a few minutes to trust yourself walking in the waist deep water (it's a lot easier for the kids who are taller, which is most of them) but eventually you got the hang of it and now you make yourself busy with filling the bucket with water from the baby pool, making trips back and forth carefully carrying your container of water.
• Double Mountain Anniversary Party--you went with us and had your little head set on to block out the noise and pigtails in your hair and you were looking extra cute and total strangers walked by and asked if they could take pictures of you.
• Riding bikes to the Thirsty Woman--we asked everyone we knew who had kids and a bike trailer to join us, and nobody did. They were all busy doing laundry and going to the grocery store. I was ready to bail, too, but your dad kept us motivated and we had a great time. The weather was perfect, we ate tater tots and drank beer (you drank milk) and then we all loaded up on the bikes and rode home.
• The day after I got home, we went in your room and you got out your puzzles. We've had them for a while and played with them lots, but you've never showed much interest. All of a sudden, though, you've figured out how to do puzzles!