18 Months Old!

Wow, Janebug. You are like a full-fledged person all of a sudden. You can just do so much for yourself now. Ok, so you still can't climb into a chair, use the potty (which, no, we are not expecting at 18 months), or get your own food, but you are getting really adept at asking for what you want... in very specific terms.

"Music please"

"No... different music"

"Another song"

"Off!"

"Music please!"

And so on. This is the first 5 seconds (and every 5 seconds thereafter) of every car trip. You've even started applying this attitude to the songs I sing you at bedtime. You request songs, but then you don't like any I come up with. Do you offer suggestions? Sometimes, but mostly you just demand "another song" as if I'm some sort of soft, cozy jukebox. Sigh. When this is not (ever so slightly) infuriating, it's really adorable.


You are getting really good at entertaining yourself, which is fun to watch. You sit for long periods of time "reading" your books to yourself. You also "cook" at your play kitchen, which apparently only involves stirring things in bowls. I think this is because that's how you help me in the kitchen. You get to stir things until the flour starts flying all over, and sometimes even a while after that.


I'm trying not to fall back on path of least resistance parenting, since running after one baby while growing another is apparently rather tiring. That means remembering to let you make big, fun, messes, and then cleaning them up together. You've gotten pretty adept at wiping up the floor with a rag. You are so helpful, my dear.


Speaking of growing the other baby, we found out the other day your little sibling is going to be a boy. That's right... a baby brother, just for you! Fun! Grandma came for a visit recently and brought you your very own baby doll to take care of. You've started giving it a bottle, singing it lullabies, and rocking it. It is too cute. You are going to be a great big sister.


The weather is finally getting nice, and we've been playing outside as much as possible. You love being outside so much -- we have been having so much fun blowing bubbles, riding your bike (thanks, Katie & Logan!), working in the garden, running around, and going to the park. I'm just trying to keep up!


Love,
Mommy