Eighteen Months

Here we go again.  Another big girl milestone come and gone.  Where, oh where, has my baby gone?!  Millie Janalee is growing and changing way too fast for this mama.  There are still glimpses of my bitty baby.  Like when I rock her to sleep.  Or when I'm comforting her when she gets hurt or scared.  But, Miss Millie Janalee is far from a "bitty baby" these days.

And it is way too fun to watch!

Eighteen Month Stats:

• 22 pounds 2 ounces
• 33 inches long
• 18-24 month clothes
• size 4 diaper
• size 5 shoe

Little Chatterbox: (I'll have to add to this list as I think of words she says.)

• "Mama"
• "Dada"
• "Oh"
• "Oh meay" (oh me)
• "Sues" (shoes)
• "Where diday gooooo?" (Where did they go?)
• "Juish" (juice)
• "Heeeey!"
• "Heeey Bubba" (Hey Farley)
• "I uh ewe" (I love you)
• "Two" (This is the word she uses for every number.)
• "I" (The word she uses for most letters)
• "E" (The other word she uses for most letters)
• "Ah ah eh ah oooo" (E-I-E-I-O)
• "De sha shh" (There she is!)
• "Ba!" (ball)
• "Yesh" (yes)
• "Rooow rooow" (Roll em up, roll em up)
• "Cheeesh!" (Cheese - when smiling)
• "Ooooh kay!" (Okay)
• "K" (Okay)
• Gasps and says, "Whoa!" or "Wow!"
• "Wasss dat?" (What's that?) 
• "Weeeee!" (When going in her Cozy Coupe, a ride in Susu's car or flying in Daddy's arms) 
• "La la la la" (singing)

Other Tricks/Interests:

• Animal sounds for cow, pig, duck, owl, dog, bear, lion
• Points to animals when we call them out (Her favorite activity right now.)
• Feeds her babies 
• Plays ball with Farley
• Blows kisses to everyone
• Knows how to use a fork and spoon even though Mama doesn't give her one often...or ever.  Oops.  The only problem we have with the spoon is remember which side goes up!
• Smiles for the camera when we say "Cheese."
• Climbing all over her little chair and crawling in her doll bed
• Loves climbing stairs, but she prefers making a run for it off the top step to get down.  It will be a miracle if she lives until she learns to climb down them!
• LOVES LOVES LOVES to read to herself and with others!
• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is her favorite show.  Elmo and Sesame Street run a close second.
• She loves to dance and sing and play the piano.
• Her squeal or scream of excitement is the most high pitch sound I've ever heard.  Ha!
• She has discovered how to spin in circles to make herself dizzy and she loves it!  This brings me to consider the possibility of even more injuries as she falls all over the place.
• Loves playing "Peek-a-boo" and Hide and Seek!
• Knows all the motions to "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Patty Cake"
• Sings "Old MacDonald" using her own words, but the tune is on track.  And her animal sounds and E-I-E-I-O are right on target.
• She can sing on tune to Elmo's theme song.  Musical talent I'm pretty sure.
• Enjoys coloring.  Finally slowed down on eating crayons. Ha!
• Collects puzzle pieces and other small items.
• Folds her hands during the prayer...even sometimes on her own before we get ready to say the blessing.  She has even reminded us before.  Sweet girl!
• Holds her finger over her mouth and blows.  That's how she says, "Shhh!"
• She learned how to close the door to her room to shut us out.  Hmmm.

Today we spent part of our morning at the doctor.  Millie Janalee has had a runny nose for over a week, and her cold continued to get worse later last week.  She began coughing on Thursday, and her cough got worse.  It was the cough that bothered us, so I took her in this morning.  I'm glad I did, because we learned that she has her very first ear infection in her left ear.  Poor thing!  Hopefully, we will be on the mend soon with our antibiotics over the next 10 days.

These past eighteen months have flown by, and they have been the most joy-filled months of my life!  I cannot imagine our life without this precious girl.  So thankful for God's ways!  And thankful He was patient enough with me to allow me this opportunity when I finally followed His plan.

Oh, how sweet it is!

Happy Eighteen Months, Millie Janalee!  We love you MORE!