18 Months

My baby girl turned 18 months old last Friday. 18 months! How is this possible, especially when I don't feel 1.5 years older than when I had her?

Our little miss had her check-up today, and aside from the relatively small vocabulary (more later), all is well. She's still little (25th percentile for height -- 31"-- and weight -- 23 lbs), but that's okay by me. And I'm not even that concerned about the vocabulary issue, thanks to reassurance from friends and family (and the fact that Leah understands everything).

Here are some tidbits about Miss Leah:

*Words: mama, baby, uh-oh, hi. The scarce amount is what concerned the LPN today, but then I told her that Leah also says animal sounds (for elephant, rooster, sheep, pig, dog, lion/ tiger, cow), and she thought those might constitute as words.

*Self-expression: Leah loves draping her pink feather boa around her neck... along with wearing my apron as a cape. Oh, and then she likes to top it off with all FIVE bows in her hair. Funny how there was a time when she was resistant to wearing ANY bow, and now she actually "asks" for all of them. What usually happens is I'll pull out her bows so that she can choose which one she wants to wear. Lately, she'll point to one, I'll put it in, and then she'll point to another (or she'll simply pick it up and try to put it in her hair). I'm sure the sight of five bows in her hair raises some eyebrows (it certainly elicits comments), but if that's how she wants to exercise her independence, so be it.

*Dance: Leah LOVES to dance. She'll turn on one of her musical toys and then start dancing in circles around the family room. When the music stops, she'll walk over and start it up again. When she wants to mix it up a bit, she'll dance to music she hears in the background (tv or radio), or she'll simply "ask" us to turn on the iPod or radio.

*Games: Leah's favorite game is a combination of hide-and-seek and chase, and it usually takes place after dinner (who knows why). What happens is she'll run into the dining room to "hide" by the window (she "hides" by standing in front of the window with her back to us; she doesn't even hide behind the curtain!). Scott or I will then seek her, looking under the table or behind a chair before "discovering" her at the window. Just as we're about to "tag" her, she'll run into the family room and cop a squat on the hearth, which is apparently "base". This can entertain her for MINUTES!!!

*Favorite Daddy Activities: Venturing down to the basement. Exploring the great outdoors and the porch swing Scott made us. Going for shoulder rides throughout the house (Leah now tries to climb on Scott's shoulders if he's just holding her).

*One more tidbit, though this is more of a story: At dinner, Scott and I sit opposite each other with Leah between us at the end of the table. We're both attentive to what she might need, but obviously Leah has a certain way of doing things. So last night, she asked for her milk, which was sitting on the table. Scott passed it to her, and then told her to give it back to him when she was done (she usually does). Apparently, she wanted ME to take the milk, for she extended her cup in my direction. I couldn't, so I told her to give it to Scott. Wouldn't you know it, she just LOOKED at me, as if to say, "Uh, Mom? I want YOU to take it." Scott managed to take the cup and put it back on the table. Not even two seconds later, Leah asked for it again. I don't even remember if she took a sip, but I do know that she held it out to me AGAIN, but more forcefully this time. I think she actually tried staring me down so that I'd take the cup! (No, I didn't give in, but Scott and I both had a good laugh.)

I'm sure there's more to share, but I can't think of what's new for her at this stage. I just know that we have a very sweet baby girl who still enjoys cuddling in my lap and reading a book, or who wants to help in whatever way she can (throwing away trash, sweeping the floors, putting away dishes, you get the idea). I love her more and more each day, and I'm so grateful for all the time we have together.