Maryn Elizabeth - 18 Months Old!

It's your half-birthday, baby girl!  Starting tomorrow you are closer to two years old than a one-year old baby (and this is not lost on your emotional Mama).

Some official doctor's office stats:  22 lbs 6 oz (45th percentile) and 31.5 inches (37th percentile). 75% of that length is in your torso!

You are growing and changing every day.  You love to help and do things yourself, take initiative, show us your opinions, and understand about anything said in front of you.  You've got the "no" head shake and "uh uh" sound down pat - if you don't want to do something (or give something up) you make that clear.  You still enthusiastically say "yeah!" to affirm our questions.  I can tell you really want to try and talk, but get very shy if I ask you to repeat a word. It's a matter of time before you're conversing with us - we can't wait!

I still consider you, Miss Maryn, the easiest little baby toddler.  You pitch a few more fits these days (when you want to play in the car instead of get into your carseat, when you want to eat a chocking hazard snack that I'm eating and I won't let you, when your brother takes your toy, when we won't let you hold the phone yourself when we're FaceTime-ing the grandparents), but it's easy to calm you down and you quickly get back with the program.  You're totally predictable with your sleeping, eating, and playing habits, but will also go-with-the-flow if you're off a schedule. I think one day you had one 10 minute nap and remained a happy camper until your 7:30 bedtime. You no longer cry when you enter the church nursery as long as we put you with the big kids.

You are the best eater.  Anything on your plate you will try, and most everything you'll eat with gusto. I never wonder "did she get enough to eat" (like I do with your eats-like-a-bird brother).  Equity is important to you, though, and you carefully watch everyone else's plate to ensure you're getting the same thing. And no one better snack without you. You'll rip something out of people's mouths if you want it.

As of last month you're off most dairy because you're little system gets "too slow" with too much dairy.  And it's heartbreaking to watch you deal with your tummy issues.  UGH, I want to cry with you when you're struggling.

Things you love: playing with JB; Face-Timing; pretending to talk on the phone (you will gab forever); swinging and playing outside; bubbles; feeding the birds; climbing; snuggling your lamb-y at night; sleeping with your pacis (still! I know, I know....); writing with pens; talking to other tables at restaurants; babies (real ones, not quite into dolls yet); puzzles; BOOKS (you ask to read so many books before bed); brushing your teeth; rocking and singing songs at night

(Playing hide-and-seek with JB)

I don't even have a list of dislikes because nothing really offends you these days.

Sweet baby girl, we can't believe you're 18 months old!