18 Months

You're a year and a half. This is both hard, and not hard, to believe. On one hand it feels like it was only a few months ago that you were learning how to sit and crawl, but on the other hand it feels like you've always been a part of our lives and our family.

You do and say so much it's seriously overwhelming to try to write it down. But I'm going to try. Here are the highlights lately:

One day after daddy had finished going over with you all the animals sounds you know, he asked, "And what does the Mama say?" Without skipping a beat you started wagging your finger vigorously in his face saying, "No! No! No! No!" It was hilarious and heart-breaking at the same time.

The only color you know is blue. You can find a sliver of blue anywhere and you get really excited whenever you see it, yelling "BLUE! BLUE! BLUE!" while pointing.

You are a lover. Yesterday you stood up on you changing table and gave dad a hug, and then me a hug, and then dad a hug, and then me a hug, and back and forth for about 10 hugs each. We appreciate you keeping it equal.

You make friends wherever you go. You walk right up to other kids in the park and either try to hold their hand (and then lead them somewhere), hug them, or just stand in front of them laughing; it's your pick up line. Today at church you went up to an older kid and started tickling her back.

You hold your bare feet up to my face and say, "tickle."

You say "Die, die" instead of "Bye, bye." Even though you used to say it correctly for months. It can be awkward.

You whisper "Dada" and "Papa" (Grandpa Power) whenever you refer to them. We're not sure why.

You're obsessed with Papa. You can find him in a crowded room and your whole face lights up when you do.

The highlight of your day, and therefore my day, is feeding the fish at our new house. We have a goldfish pond in the entryway and you live for feeding them. You say, "Fish Fish" instead of goldfish. For the crackers too.

You practice saying "Hello" in all different voice inflections at 3 o'clock in the morning. It's better to wake up to at that hour than crying. Thanksgiving was the first time in awhile I'd spent a night in the same room as you and I noticed that you also laugh in your sleep. It's too cute and I can't help but wonder what you're dreaming about. Probably dogs licking your face. You love dogs.

You're really becoming attached to your Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa. We're still tying to figure out a good name for them as those are way too long and hard to say. The day before Thanksgiving you were incredibly sleep-deprived. As a last-ditch effort to get you to nap, Great-Grandma took you into her bed, tucked your in, laid down beside you and sang, "Jesus Love Me" and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." A sweet, sweet thing to overhear. She sang until her voice was hoarse and then you two were sleeping soundly cuddled up next to each other. The was good redemption for her because legend has it I cried hysterically every time she tried to sing to me as a baby. Whoops.