19 Months

At 18 months I was an only child and at 19 months I'm a sibling!  The other big thing to report is that I am now an excellent eater... out of nowhere.  I don't like everything I try, but I try 90% of what is put in front of me, which is a major improvement from the last 6 months.  I still love to point out colors, but I'm also really interested in letters.  I know 90% of the alphabet and love to call out letters wherever I see them.  My favorites are B, I, and Y.  According to mommy, the cutest ones I say are F and R.  

Since mama is still getting the hang of juggling two kiddos, we took my 19 month pictures running around the yard while Bennett rode with mommy in the moby wrap.  

A week-long play-date with the grandparents Meitl!

Grandpa Tom and Grandma Debbie flew all the way from Illinois to come play with me and meet Bennett.  They got to stay for an entire week!  They are great play mates.  Grandpa and I had breakfast together at my table, grandma read stories to me, I got to play dress-up with grandma's hat, and Bennett got to nap on both of them.  It was a really great week and I can't wait to see them again at their house in April!

Away From the Manger

Mama read me the story of baby Jesus's birth.  She told me how there was no room in the inn so Mary and Joseph had to have baby Jesus in a manger.  I decided this wasn't a good place for Mary, Joseph, Jesus, or any of the animals so I helped the evacuate the manger and occupy the fire house instead.  And Mary shouldn't have to travel on a donkey so she took the EMT van.

ABCs

I love letters.   I've gotten really good at the letters A through T.  U through Z are tougher... but I'm trying.  When mama reads one of my alphabet books she says, "what letter is this?" and I can usually tell her.  If I'm unsure of the right answer though I always guess, "b" and then "i."  I can also pick most of the letters out on the page when she says, for example, "can you find the g?"  

Mama got out her address book for mailing Christmas cards, and I discovered that it has the alphabet in it!  I grabbed the book, parked my hiney in the reading chair, and started to practice my letters from this new book.

Embracing my new role

Mommy and I had our first day on our own with the baby today.  It's a good thing I'm such a good helper.  I'm not sure what mama would do without me dropping the pack of wipes in with him while he sleeps or putting diapers on his head.  He spent a lot of time with mama today and we didn't make it out for my morning toddler activity because he was upset, but mama played with me in the front yard for a little bit while he napped and we danced to Christmas music while he laid in the floor and watched us.  I kept getting into things I'm not supposed to, and mama had to keep correcting me.  Neither of us liked that very much, but it's an adjustment for all of us.

Updown Girl

She's been living in her updown world.

Whenever I want to get up or down I say, "updown" just to make sure all of my bases are covered.  I did a lot of up and a lot of down at the playground today... maybe a little showing off for my baby brother.

My Baby Brother

This past week has been crazy and fun.  I went to sleep Friday night with mommy and daddy and woke up Saturday with grandpa and grannie!  Mommy and daddy were in the hospital picking out the perfect baby brother for me.  I woke up from my nap on Sunday and there he was... myyyyy baby brother.

I love to kiss his soft little head and bring him his blankets and diapers.  Grannie showed me how to swaddle my teddy bear and put a diaper on my dolly.  I got a new book to read that's all about being a big sister.  It's been fun having a full house with daddy home from work and grannie here to help.  Starting Monday mama and I are on our own with the baby... I'm nervous and excited, but I plan to be the best big sister Bennett could ever have!

My friend, Brooks.

At mommy's 39 week appointment this morning the doctor said I'm definitely not getting a baby brother today, so mommy and I headed over to my friend Brooks's house.  I met Brooks at the Music and Movement class at the library.  We're almost exactly the same age and great playmates.  We've played together at the park before, but this was my first time at his house.  He has lots of fun toys that he shared with me.  

he pushed me around the house on his lion car

and his airplane

we watched elmo sing

and play the drums

we climbed on furniture

and gave each other eskimo kisses

and his nanny sent mama this picture of him watching out the window as we left.

it's always hard to watch friends leave.

18 Months!

18 Months!  These sum-ups are getting harder now that I'm doing new things every day.  I'll start with the Dr. stats:  I'm just under 22 lbs (a big jump up to 40th percentile!) and 31.5" tall (staying strong at 50th percentile).  

Blue is still my favorite color to point out (bwaaaa?!) but I've also started to get the hang of "red" (a-rae-rae) and "yellow" (eh-lo-lo).  I say car, go, hello, diaper, down, chicken, cheese, shoe, chair and many of the letters in the alphabet.  And I have finally figured out how to nod my head!!  

I'm still a very good listener, I often put my toys away without being asked, and I'm even pretty gentle with the kitties.  The rest of my molars are all poking through now... and it was a much easier transition than the first one.  

It took me a while to adjust to the time change, but I'm back to a normal schedule... wake up around 7:30am, nap from 1 until about 4 (mommy loves the 3-hour nap!) and bed around 7:30pm.  

Our mommy/baby playgroup is now happening on Mondays... Tuesday and Thursday is "music and movement" at the library, and Wednesday is playtime with friends while mommy attends her bible study.  It's a nice schedule, but I'm nervous about how it's going to change when the new baby arrives.