18 Months

6 months. A year. 18 Months.

All of a sudden it's here! I remember thinking it was so far away! She'll be 2 before we know it!

Addie's gone from being a baby to a toddler in what seems like overnight. I couldn't believe these pictures with her sitting on this bench, looking so big! Long legs! Huge feet. Never even tried to get off!

One minute she's stumbling and the next minute she's running!

One minute she's almost solely signing and the next minute I can't keep up with the words and phrases she says!

**Side note: I'm so thankful we worked with her on signing. We were discouraged by some, saying that studies have shown that it delayed language development. It saved us. It bridged that gap (and still does sometimes) where communication is needed but language hasn't developed due to age. We never used signs without words. So Addie always heard the word when she signed them. It worked for us. I guess that's what matters.**

One minute she's completely dependent on us for everything and the next minute she's a little helper: finding the remote, cleaning out the dishwasher by putting chunking the silverware in the drawer, putting clothes in the dryer, picking up toys/books and clapping after each one, and shutting anything and everything that might need to be shut (even though not at the time!).

She loves to:
...feed the dog. She tells her to sit, down (and points down and touches the floor), and wait! Helps me put the bowl down and then yells, "OK!"

...dust/wipe down everything. i'd love to take credit for that, you know, with all the cleaning i do! I have no idea where she gets it from, but it sure is cute!

...to rock. Rock in my old rocking chair. Rock on her blue rocking horse. Rock Rock!

...to look at pictures of herself, especially on the blog. She'll say, "Addie" every time she sees a picture of herself or a baby.

Her language has exploded, so much so that I know I've forgotten some words/phrases! Below is a list, more for my future benefit than anything! So don't feel obligated to read it! :)

I love our little girl. She makes us laugh and sometimes brings tears to my eyes. She's affectionate and sweet and gives the best kisses! She's wild, loud and energetic. She hates riding in the car and would much prefer to be running, swinging and sliding at the park. She sleeps like a baby and plays like a little girl. She can make a mess of a room and destroy a pile of folded laundry in 2 seconds flat. She can find and pick up most anything you ask. She's prissy and loves to wear her bracelet. She's obsessed with pointing out trucks and thinks firetrucks are the coolest things ever! She begs to go ow'side and yells anytime she sees a cat, dog or bird. Her curls are ringlets now and bounce when she runs. She knows how to fake cry, fake cough and thinks she can fake sneeze!

She's a complete joy, and we thank God ever day for the precious blessing He's loaned to us!

Words/Etc.

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Food: cheese, ice, hot dog, milk, cracker (crack), juice

Body Parts: eyes, nose, ears, belly button (which comes out something like bit bye)

Animals: bird, dog, cat, duck, butterfly (which counts none of the ones she can make the sound for!)

Things: truck, paci!, baby, shoes, socks, Elmo (Mo!), park, car, keys, balloon, ball

Actions: bath, swing, slide, walk, eat, sit, down, rock rock, step

Misc.: please (pweasy), bye bye, bye bye dog, bye bye daddy, bless you (when someone sneezes, which she thinks is the greatest thing ever), hi, up (pup), more (mo-oh), ee i ee i oh!, thank you (but barely, she still usually signs this one w/ a kiss!), NO!!!

Names: Addie!, mama (changed back from mommy), daddy, rierie, didi (for diane), tyty (for tyler), katkat (for kathryn), cady, we've worked on gramma and grandpa but they come out as Maw and Pa right now. We'll keep working! :)

Can point to:
Things (to name a few): horse, dog, train, truck, apple, banana, strawberry, firetruck, shoes, snake, frog, alligator, boat, fish, bird, tractor, balloon, flowers, bear, chicken, sheep, cat, cow, ball, and who knows what else!
Body Parts: eyes, ears, nose, mouth, tongue, teeth, head/hair, arm, elbow, knees, hand, fingers (and wiggles them!), foot, toes, tummy, and belly button!!!!

And the firetruck says: whoowhoowhoo!

Happy 18 months Little Bit!