18 Months

Avery is 18 months old today, and I can't seem to figure out how she has grown so quickly. Each age is special in it's own way, but I'm really enjoying these toddler days.

We visit the doctor tomorrow and will have official height and weight measurements then. When we were there several weeks ago she was slightly over 22 lbs with clothes and Giraffi. She still wears 12-18 months or 18 months clothes, but her size 3 diapers are getting a little snug. Shoes are a 4.5-5.

Nighttime sleep remains the same with bedtime between 7 and 7:30 pm. She wakes at 6:30 on school days but generally sleeps a little longer on the weekends. She dropped her morning nap while we were on Christmas break and was sleeping later in the mornings. The transition went pretty well, even when she started getting up earlier to go back to the sitter's. Naptime is around 12:30, and she naps 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on what time she got up. I took the pacifier when she dropped the morning nap but gave it back because I thought she wasn't napping as long. I don't know if that had anything to do with it, but I don't think a pacifier for one nap is going to hurt anybody. We may try to take it again soon. We started having a little fussing at bedtime after Christmas. It seems like more of a protest that I leave the room and then it's done. We have gone back and forth with this for the last month, and I attribute it to being home with me over Christmas and an increased "I love my Mama" attitude. This week (after a 4-day weekend) she cried for an hour. She actually screamed, and because she had never done that, I went in twice and got her up once. She's been sick and I just didn't know what was going on, so I went against what we usually do. Early on we realized that Avery needs to settle herself, and since I don't rock her to sleep, going in will 9 times out of 10 just prolong the crying. It was a long hour. Tuesday night she cried for 20 minutes, Wednesday night she cried for a few minutes, and Thursday night was about 2 protest cries.

Avery's eating habits and food choices remain about the same. Her appetite varies and is usually biggest at breakfast and lunch. My parents finally got her to eat scrambled egg recently, and she is also loving the Gerber cereal bars. Pop Tarts are an occasional treat, but please do not break it in half or she will cry like you ripped Giraffi in half. This also applies to toast. Utensil operation has really improved this month. For several months she's been able to do yogurt, applesauce, oatmeal, etc., but she has gotten good with scooping up firmer items and is working hard with her fork. She did a great job with her slippery macaroni and cheese the other day! Scooping things like sweet potato and squash casserole is now a breeze as well. If it looks like finger food, though, fingers are still used.

She is such a lovebug! Kisses and hugs are given out frequently during the day. She seems to enjoy giving them but also needs to receive them alot. Jennifer says that she comes for quick hugs during the day then goes about her business playing. If I'm sitting on the floor, she pushes my legs down just right so that she can either sit in my lap or lay across it. Although she is quite the proficient walker, she still enjoys being carried.

Toys have taken a backseat to exploring around the house this month. We've just recently put on child locks because I could not stay ahead of the mess. I still can't stay ahead of it, though! She's not being bad, she just likes to investigate, pull things out, and carry things around. She will do some fussing if we take something that she wants, but we have yet to have fits of falling out, throwing, etc. She is most unhappy when waiting for food or if food doesn't look like what she had envisioned.

Avery continues to be quite the talker...10-15 real words and the rest in her own language. Socks (soss) was a fun one to add this month, especially since my sock drawer fully accessible. I now find my "soss" all around the house. This past week she's popped up with pee-pee, causing the babysitter to run her to the potty each time she says it. I'm not convinced it's bathroom related. On the potty front, Jennifer has started sitting Avery on it and singing a potty song. She hasn't done anything yet but enjoys being on it. We don't have a potty at home yet. I don't feel like she's ready and continue to read that pushing at this age can backfire. I'll see how she does with Jennifer, and go from there, but I think summertime with less clothes sounds just as good.

We turned both of Avery's carseats around this month, and she has enjoyed the new view. She spots birds, big trucks, and the moon through the windows and roof. I'm glad that we made it until almost 18 months, although the recommended age is 2. She will be in a 5-point harness and then booster for a LONG time, so she might as well get used to Mama's car rules.

I could write for days on what a fun, busy age this is. There is so much I want to remember, from the way she tries to snap her fingers to the way she thinks she turns on the gas logs at Lolli and Poppa's with the TV remote. Everything is magical (except with she's angry), everything is innocent, and everything is simple. She is surely a joy to our lives and the lives of those who know and love her well.

**Pictures to come. Our after church photo shoot was derailed by a busted pipe!