I wouldn't have guessed, but this 19th month brought more changes, advances, and growth in our little red head than the past few months combined. Language - exploded. Independence - demanded. Temper tantrums - oh, they've started. Still, though, Maryn is the most sweet, loving, and ticklish toddler.
At her 18 month visit we were seriously talking language evaluation later in the year because she didn't say one single word except Enda. It's like something clicked and she realized the word-to-object relationship. Now she says so many things, and repeats, too! Some words she says (or tries to say) consistently:
rock (asking to be rocked in the chair);
wawa (water);
baba (bottle);
bebe (baby);
iPad;
Enda;
bye bye; apple;
cracker; airplane; up; ehs (eggs);
pap pap (paci);
Bubs (JB);
keys; mo! (more)
; bear; sucker; and probably more. She'll also say "
hi Mama" and "
hi Dada" when we walk in the room.
Now, what she doesn't quite understand is why the use of a word does not immediately bring her what she asks for. This one can get mad if her demands are not met! She's started to throw little tantrums, and even bit the fire out of JB's toe when he didn't give her a toy. Yikes....
She has also started to demand to do things herself. Maryn has always been willing to do what is asked (put clothes in the hamper, plate in the sink, etc), but now she will fight you if she thinks you're doing something for her. We get into battles over teeth brushing (including who puts the toothpaste on the toothbrush), selecting her shoes and clothes, and feeding her with a fork/spoon. I guess it was time. I can't keep her a baby forever!!
But speaking of
my baby, Maryn is definitely a Mama's girl. While she does quite well with others she still wants only me for certain things - rocking before bed, morning and night bottle, hugs/holding when sad or upset, etc. Even poor James tries but she clings to me like a spider monkey.
Thankfully she is 100% okay with everyone else when I'm out of sight. In fact, Maryn has a tendency to touch, stroke, and hug total strangers or people she's just met. We have to watch her at restaurants because she loves to turn around in the booth and play with people's hair. Or touch their nice clothes with her greasy hands. She will also randomly ask to be lifted or sit in people's lap. For most people this makes their day to have a cute little ginger baby give them attention!
She reserves her best hugs, though, for her Bubs or Bubba (despite my insistence we
don't call JB "Bubba".) Multiple times a day she just goes over to him and collapses him in her big bear hug. It's the sweetest. It's also sweet/terrifying when she demands to hold little babies, like her cousin Addison. And she's on to your tricks if you try to "help" her support the baby's head - she'll slap your hand away!
This month has also brought a fascination with books. Maybe it's tied to the language development, but she loves to read (including books with longer stories). However, she is very particular about her books. She doesn't like most things Sandra Boynton and will fiercely shake her head and snap the book closed. (This is sad because we practically have all of them. JB and I think they are the best!!) She also likes the pig finger puppet book, but not the fishie puppet book. She looooooves Eric Carle's book "Have You Seen My Cat". But her favorite is this cheap, poorly written Paw Patrol book of her brother's. I've had to hide the book although she still looks for it and asks to read it. Strangest thing....
The last item I want to remember about this month is something that I MUST GET ON VIDEO. Maryn loves "twinkle twinkle little star" and can actually "sing" it without all the words. She has the pitch, the cadence, literally the entire song (minus intelligible words). Do we have a musical child? Lord knows that talent didn't come from her genes!
You have grown so, so much this month, sweet child. We love you, Maryn!
