18 months

Brooklyn turned 18 months on Easter day (April 12th). She went to the doctor for a well child visit the next day. At 27 lbs 11 ounces and 35 inches tall, she is at the 90% for weight and officially off the charts for height. Her head measurement is still around the 30%. I really don't know where this tall, thin, little-headed child came from. I'm glad she's here though. I told the doctor that she could say about 15 words and she seemed impressed. I actually counted her words when I got home and its more like 30-35, so I guess she's not dumb. =)

She is certainly developing QUITE the personality. She's still pretty laid-back when we're around other people, but at home she makes her opinions known. I love all the stuff she is learning to do. I can give her something and say trash and she'll throw it away. Or I'll say diaper and she'll go get me one. For as long as she can remember, it has been cold outside and she's had to put on a jacket. So when I say "let's go bye-bye," she goes to the coat closet to get one on. A couple of times last week it was warm enough to go out without a coat and she was quite confused.

I decided that now that she is 18 months, she's too old for a bottle. She doesn't agree. She throws a FIT when I hand her a sippy cup instead. Yesterday was her first day without a bottle before bed. I said, as usual, "Brooklyn - jammies and milk??" She happily went back to her room and got her jammies put on. Then she rushed to the fridge for some milk. When I handed her a sippy cup, she was SO INSULTED!!! She threw it on the floor and then flung herself on the floor and screamed. When she didn't get her way, she got up and started picking up everything she could find (toys, shoes, etc) and throwing them across the room. I had a folded stack of blankets on the table and she made short work of those. Then she went and got her sippy cup and put it in the time-out chair with an emphatic "No! Stop!" and a shake of her finger. It was hilarious. My mom was sympathetic and said I should wean her off the bottle a little at a time. Like, give her one at night only for a while. I decided to go cold turkey because I didn't want her thinking she had a chance of getting one of she threw a big enough fit. She's been less dramatic today. I think she'll forget about the bottle soon.

I've been feeling like a bad mom lately because I really think she's ready to be potty-trained and I haven't done it. She hates having a dirty diaper and will immediately say "poop? diaper?" when she needs to be changed. Poor thing doesn't like going in her pants, but she doesn't have an alternative! It's just been so busy with work and school and getting ready to move and everything. Jason has needed my help with several final papers. He had his last day of class yesterday!! EVER!!! Unless he decides on grad school down the road... but for now, no more lonely nights!! I think I'm a lot more excited about it than he is. He still sees all the final exams and the last online class he has left to complete. Anyway, I'm putting off potty-training until we are settled in our new place. Then I don't have to worry about panties and accidents while we're trying to clean and move. Plus, we'll be on a more fixed schedule this summer.

I am so impressed with my baby girl. She's my best friend. I love that I'm starting to be able to understand what she wants and vice versa. We have a lot of fun together. Here are some of the words she can say. I always think that I have them all, but then she reminds me of another one I forgot. Or she'll learn a new one! What a little smartie, I can't even keep up. =)

bye-bye
hi
no
stop
don't
apple
diaper
pear
cheese
fish
arf
meow
moo
ribbit
poop
book
mommy
dad
there you go ("dare go")
diego (from the cartoon)
baby
nose
ear
eye
balloon
one
two
three
shoes
eww
oh no
oh man
uh-oh
night-night
peekaboo

I'm totally forgetting some. I'm gonna add them later cuz I think it's fun to keep track. Lately, we can say almost any word to her and she'll try to say it if she's in the mood. So fun! Love you baby!!