18 Months Old

Zoë Kayte, you are 18 months old today! You are such a full-of-life girl! You have plenty of personality to turn on or off the charm at the drop of a hat. Here's what you've been up to:

- You have 7 teeth! Teething is not fun.

Looking a bit disappointed that you couldn't join the boys in painting. 

You got bored waiting for the boys, so you found my shoes and Daddy's hat

You like dressing up and accessorizing

Enjoying a donut on Zeke's birthday 

Staying warm with Mimi just inside the door on Zeke's birthday

Birthday cake with Pop-Pop

Saying later before Mimi headed home to NE

- You are starting to let me put barrettes in your hair, for at least a few minutes at a time!

- You say lots of words! And I can figure most of them out when used in context. Let's see how many I can remember: "dah" for dog, please, Zeke, Dada, Mama, more, hello, Pop-Pop, cat, crackers, outside, sock, shoes, "duh" for duck, cheese (for taking pictures, since you can't eat any ;)) Also, you try to say most anything I ask you to; we have a book about the farm and you'll repeat after me -- "cow" "moo", "horse, neigh" - "shee" (for sheep) "baa" - "pi" (pig) and then you make a snorting sound, plus all the noises from the 'noisy animal' page. At suppertime we each say something we're thankful for that day and you have begun to participate. You wait for your turn and then smile and point and say "Zeke", "Dada". You are also holding Levi and my's hand while we pray at meals.

- When we are putting the boys to bed, you like to climb under the covers and read with them and pretend to sleep. But you are too wiggly to lay still for long!

- You are constantly on the move. Holding you has become more difficult because you like to go wherever the wind blows. You're starting to run and do your best to keep up with the boys. You sometimes hit the boys when you aren't getting your way. And your scream is ear-piercing! My goodness. Being inside when you scream is nearly intolerable!

You're getting so brave on the playground! 

- You typically sleep from 9 pm - 7 am and nap from 12 - 2 pm.

- You are wearing mostly 18 month clothes although a few 12 month outfits still fit.

Walking around like a big girl! 

- You eat most everything we give you! I love not having picky eaters! We try to avoid dairy and chocolate because those seem to upset your stomach. I hope that you grow out of one or both of those before long -- for your benefit... and mine! ;)

- I have begun to find you on the couch or floor reading books. You can play by yourself for a few minutes at a time, which I think is wonderful considering you have 2 older brothers! Sometimes when they are sleeping or otherwise entertained, you will play alone and/or look at books before going to find somebody.

Levi loves you very much! 

- You like to shut all the doors on us. If I'm in the bathroom brushing my teeth, I will randomly hear a click behind me as you've pulled the door shut on me. Then you knock or scream until I open it back up. You like to walk down our little hall and shut all the doors one by one. You are always so pleased with yourself.

Zoë, you are such a fun girl! You are such a welcome and delightful addition to our family! I love your playful spirit as well as your willingness to help when I ask you to do little tasks. I enjoy getting you dressed and putting you in pink more than I expected :) You like to be a part of everything that is going on in the household and share plenty of smiles and laughs. You seem to enjoy animals, especially dogs and our cat Dora. You enjoy being outside and taking walks in the wagon and stroller. I look forward to all you'll learn and how you'll develop over the next 3 months! Love, Mommy