soft like a hug: 17 & 18 Month Update

I'm growing up so fast! It seems like yesterday I was just figuring out how to walk and now, I'm running at full force and climbing everything I can. I'm a little sponge that soaks up everything around me, repeating things I see and hear.

Stats:

At my 18 month checkup, I weighed 22 lbs (17th percentile) and measured 31.7 inches (26th percentile). And although my head looks huge compared to the rest of my body, it's only in the 5th percentile!

Teeth:

My upper molars came in so I'm now up to ten teeth. My bottom molars and upper canines are starting to make an appearance as well - they're all coming in quickly and before long I'll have almost a full mouthful of teeth!

Developments:

It's no surprise that I'm a very active toddler that loves to run, climb, and dance. I can run really fast and am even starting to jump. I continue to climb everything - my favorites are climbing up the couch and then onto the sofa table behind it and then actually standing on the table, and also climbing onto Kaitlyn's bed and playing with all the things on her nightstand. I love listening to music and dancing along. Watching the Shake it Off video is still one of my favorites, but I'll dance to anything that has a good beat.

Lately I've been imitating everyone around me, especially at home. I'm obsessed with washing my hands, and insist on using my toy vacuum whenever Mommy is using the real one. I also love to Swiffer the floors, throw things in the trash, and give Brady treats.

I still babble like a baby most of the time but have over a dozen words in my vocabulary. Currently the words I use the most are: mine, no, 'nack (as in snacky cup), muh (milk), cup, shoes, Bray-bee (Brady), Poh-poh, Cao-cao, apple (to refer to all fruit) and booby (more on that below). I've been trying to say Kaitlyn's name but am nowhere close - it usually ends up sounding like "jay-jee." I know most of my body parts and will point to them when asked.

I also switched to forward facing in the car seat! It's so much more exciting now, I can see Kaitlyn sitting next to me and look out the window if I want to. We went on a long drive recently and I discovered the video screen that pops down from the ceiling and plays cartoons. I just watched in amazement. So that's what I've been missing out on all this time!

Playtime:

I still need to work on my ability to play independently. Although I have a ton of toys, the only things I'm interested in are whatever Kaitlyn is playing with. It wouldn't be so bad if we could just play together, but most of the time she's busy with her markers, scissors, and glue sticks - all of which are off limits to me. I've been caught many times with markers in my hands, ink all over my hands, mouth, table and chairs. Mommy gave me some crayons and paper to play with, but they just weren't as fun, and I ended up trying them out on the wall and chairs.

Daycare:

The biggest news is that I started an in-home daycare in August. After a long summer of juggling two kids, Mommy decided that she needed a break, and that I needed more socialization. I started going two days a week, and it didn't take me long to adjust. We play outside (my favorite thing to do) most of the day, and I always come home so dirty! I used to drag my security blanket around everywhere and it would be so filthy by the end of the day, now I have to "check it in" in the mornings and only get it for naps. When Mommy comes to pick me up, I'll take one look at her and without any acknowledgment or greeting, I'll run toward the cubbies and point to the top where my blanket is. Aside from the blanket issue, I seem to be having lots of fun at day care and have made lots of friends. Everyday as I'm leaving I wave happily to everyone while saying "bye bye!"

Eating:
I continue to be a picky eater and now even reject foods I used to like, for example, fruit. Noodles, especially udon noodles, have become a new favorite. I've become pretty independent and now insist on having my bowl right in front of me and feeding myself. While I try to use utensils, I usually end up shoving food into my mouth with my hands. Sometimes I'll take fistfuls of food and just throw it onto the floor. Needless to say mealtimes have become a very frustrating process!

Mommy has been trying to wean me with little success. If she's not around, I'm fine, but otherwise I still insist on nursing every morning, before naps/bedtime (if she's the one putting me down), and when I get home from day care. Sometimes I will finish a whole cup of milk and still want to nurse, so it seems to be more of a comfort issue. She made the mistake of teaching me the wrong word so I'm always tugging at her shirt repeating "booby, booby!" whenever I want it.

First Haircut!

A few weeks ago I got my first official haircut in a salon. Daddy had been giving me haircuts but I just don't sit still enough for him anymore. Everything was going well until the lady brought the clippers to my ears. Then I freaked out a little. Luckily she worked quickly and was done soon enough.