sniffles, sneezes and coughs.

You and your daddy are sick. You feel much better than your daddy....he hasn't been to work for 3 days.
And knowing your daddy....that NEVER happens so I know he is feeling really crummy. I really hope he gets better soon. He hates not being able to snuggle you and play with you.
You are in good spirits...just a little snotty.

So as you enter your 18th month of life you are as active as ever, even with your cold.

You seem to have entered a hitting stage right along with the "if-I-don't-get-what- I-want-the-instant-I-want-it-I'm-going-to-have-a-fit" stage.
Not a big fan of either of them.
What I am a fan of is now when you are sitting in my arms (the rare occasions that you do) you will look up into my face and smile at me.
Melts. My. Heart.
I LOVE THIS FACE!



You have started to say "oh dear" when you drop something.
You know where your barrettes and hair ties are. You know that the fridge is where your drinks and snacks are.

Sometimes you say "i got it" or "i see it" In your version of course.
You will 'meow' when you see a picture of a kitty and say "Da!" when you see a dog.

You know what a lion, elephant, tiger, monkey, alligator, dog, cat, bumble bee, bird, crab, pig, octopus, cow and horse look like....you will point to them in your books.

You are a champ at drinking out of a straw now....and prefer it most of the time. Not to mention that it is the cutest thing I've ever seen.



You and daddy will play in the sprinkler....and you LOVE it.



I hope you feel better soon.
xoxo

How do I do this and should I really worry about it?

How do I get you to stop using your pacifier? How do I learn to deal with your fits of hysterics that would usually be quelled by a pacifier?
Hmmm? How?
How do I get you to want to go to bed and stay asleep in your crib?
What about potty training? How does that start?
How do I get you prepared for school? (mentally prepared) Are you going to be at the skill level needed when that time comes?

I worry.
I shouldn't. I know I shouldn't but I do.
The learning capabilities of children are astounding. You have learned things that I haven't specifically shown you, you just learned them by watching us.
So, I know I shouldn't worry because you will learn to do these things and you will do them when you are ready to.
Just like you will talk when you are ready to talk.

You are a curious and independent soul who charges fearlessly into life. I hope you always live your life that way.

You're simply the best

One thing you LOVE to do is hang out on the boats that your daddy works on.





You make my days better. You make every one's day better. Last night your sister had a belly dance recital and you were up on the stage before the show started dancing your heart out. Everyone there watching....you made their day better.

Today you went to the Zoo with Aunt Katie, Hazel, mommy and Grampa. All you wanted to do was hold Grampa's hand. You and Hazel were so happy to be with him. It warmed my heart to the core.



It's an amazing thing...being a mom. It's scary and exciting. Rewarding and frustrating. Comical. Heartwarming. Educational.
It has made me a stronger person....physically and emotionally.
It's the best thing I've ever done. You, Ava, are the most amazing thing I have ever had the privilege of being a part of.

Clearly it's been one of those days. The kind where EVERYTHING that you do is the cutest, most endearing and amazing thing I've ever seen. (yea, I'm one of those mom's)

You are simply the best!
I love you Ava.

17 months Baby Girl

I'm not sure how it happened but you are 17 months old. You have changed soooo much Ava. You are not a "baby" anymore. At least not in my eyes.
Babies don't drink out of straws or climb mini rock walls at the park.


They don't sit in cozy chairs with their name on it and watch full length movies or run down boardwalks at the Botanical gardens. Babies can't run, they can't even sit up on their own.




They don't eat waffles with forks or drink from water bottles. Only toddlers do. Toddlers run their fingers through their hair when they are tired or shake their head no when they don't want something. They use a toothbrush and love to run through the sprinklers.
They play "peek-a-boo" with you on their own accord and say a cute little "boo" when they pop their head from around the couch. Toddlers climb EVERYTHING, give treats to the dog, tell the dog to "sit" then throw a ball.
Or they hug each and every one of their animals. They give kisses (when they want) and hugs (when they want)
Toddlers are little people with big personalities.




But wait, you CAN'T be a toddler.
Not yet.
Oh my. (sigh) How did this happen?

At least when they are sleeping....they all still look like our little babies.