Claire - 18 Months

Claire, you are 18 months old! How did that happen so fast, my darling girl? It's hard to write a concise post because you're doing so much. You're so much fun and I absolutely love this age! 

Your stats: 
Weight: 28 lbs, 3 oz - 96th percentile
Height: 33 3/4 in - 95th percentile
Head: 19 1/2 in - 99th percentile

You've had a pretty big growth spurt in height! You're wearing 18 month and 24 month size clothes, and I'm definitely leaning toward 24 months for new stuff. You wear size 5 diapers.

 Here's what else you're doing these days:

- You're talking up a storm! You can say lots of words and identify people and animals, and you're saying some short phrases ("More 'dis?", "What's dis?", etc.). You're starting to say new words more easily and with less prompting. The cognitive development at this age is really amazing. 

 - You have all your teeth except your 2 year molars. At your 18 month appointment last week, we discovered you have a pretty prominent lip tie. Pretty surprising, given we've never noticed it before, but it didn't affect your nursing and the doctor says it won't affect speech or eating. It's just cosmetic, and will be corrected when you're older and get braces. I had the same thing corrected when I was 8 or 9.

- You're a really fantastic eater! You love food and will beg for food from anyone in your presence, which can make eating out an interesting experience. A couple months ago, you were being a little picky about eating meat and veggies, but now you're pretty much eating everything again. Your absolute favorite food is fruit. You devour it, and you have the messy diapers to prove it! :)

- You're drinking whole milk. I've found that you will drink a lot more milk when using one cup in particular, made by Nuk.

- You've become a really good sleeper. It's amazing how far you've come in that regard since turning 1! Right when you turned 1 and weaned, you finally started sleeping through the night. I assume weaning played some part in that; your pediatrician says her daughters did the same thing. Now you almost always sleep through the night. We usually put you to bed between 8-9 pm and though your wake time has varied over the last few months, these days it's usually between 8-9 am. Best of all, you put yourself to sleep! We used to spend hours getting you to sleep at night, but now we rock you for a bit and then put you in your crib and you will usually play and jabber for awhile before falling asleep on your own. You take one 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon if we're at home. If we're away from home it doesn't usually happen, and even the slightest hint of a car nap before we get home can blow your regular nap out of the water.

  - You're a happy, spirited little ray of sunshine. You have a strong will at times, but also a very sweet disposition. You're so funny! Your Daddy and I laugh at your antics all the time, and find ourselves talking about how much we love you every night long after you've gone to bed.

  - You are beautiful! I know I'm biased but it's true. You have gorgeous blue eyes shaped just like your Daddy's. Your hair is golden right now like mine was when I was little. I imagine it'll get darker as you get older. 

- You're still very active! I remember thinking when we were in the hospital after you were born that you were a very wiggly little baby, and that's still the case. You never stop! You love to run, dance, and play. The other night we were hanging out with some friends who have two little boys and the mom was telling me about how active little boys are. She commented that you give her boys a run for their money, and it's true! You will play until you are falling down tired, and then keep going. You have major FOMO (fear of missing out) and you don't like to leave a social event to go to sleep.

- I think you're starting to have some understanding of your baby brother. You can say "baby" and your own version of "James", and I think you get that your brother is in mommy's tummy right now. I can't wait to see you two together. When I think of how much I love you and how much love I will feel having two precious babies come November, I think my heart might just explode! 

- You've gone through so much development in the last six months, but to me the most incredible part has been your emotional development. You are so loving. You're more snuggly now than you used to be. You kiss and hug us, as well as your dolls, toys, and pictures in books, often while saying "awwww". You started saying your own version of "thank you" (sounds kind of like "di di") completely unprompted. You have a sweet and kind heart, and that means more to me than anything!

Current nickname: Tootie...I know some day you will be furious with us about this. 

Favorite toys: You are very attached to your miniature purple Carebear, Polly. You sleep with her every night and she goes most places with us. Hands down, your favorite thing to do is read books. You also really like pushing your babies in your doll stroller, riding your rocking bunny, playing with your music toys and your Fisher Price piggy bank, and coloring. Maybe a budding artist like Daddy? You seem to be favoring using your left hand...perhaps you will be a lefty like Mommy? 

I love you so much! I could say it a million times and still never express how much you mean to us. You are a blessing from above, and we love you to the moon and back. 

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17). 


I love you, 
Mama