20 months! (for Lauren)

Lauren you are 20 months today!  (I realized, looking back that I didn't post for 18 or 19 months- shame on me!)

At 20 months you are BUSY!! Toys are not nearly as interesting to you as "non-toys" (i.e. pots and pans, makeup, hair dryers, keys, tv remotes, cell phones....)  But when you do have your toys, they are ALL OVER the floor!  You LOVE to dump all the toys out of a basket or bucket- we just have to work on cleaning up a little more! (mommy gets tired of doing all the work!)

You really LOVE tv- especially Nick Jr.  Your favorite shows are Dora (still) plus Jack's Big Music Show, Max & Ruby, Wonder Pets and you are starting to like Yo Gabba Gabba (unfortunately for us- we think it is the most annoying show EVER!!)

You also love to be read to- you will get your books and bring them to us to read.  You like the SAME ones OVER and OVER- "Butterfly", "There was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly', "What's For Dinner?" "10 Ladybugs" and anything with a lift-the-flap or "feely" pages...you like books that are "interactive". 

You also really like music- especially if it's a "music video" (for kids).  We watch Laurie Berkner and started watching Rachel Coleman's signing videos- those are fun too!  You still go to bed and take naps to your Praise Baby cds.

Speaking of sleep...you are a really good sleeper (still).  You take a nap in the afternoon for about 2 hours and then go to bed around 7:30-8:00 and sleep at least 12 hours at night.  Yay!  You let us know when you are tired by getting your blanket out of your crib (you pull it through the slats!) or resting your head on the floor or couch.  If we ask "do you need to go night-night?"  You shake your head "yes" enthusiastically and run for your crib.

You are still taking a paci at night and for naps- we are going to try to get rid of this around your 2nd birthday. That is the plan, anyway! :)

You eat like a normal toddler- somedays it seems that we can't feed you enough, other days, you won't eat anything.  Some of your favorite things to eat right now are: mac n chz, mashed potatoes, french fries, beans (any kind), hot dogs, spaghetti, lasagna, etc.., broccoli (w/chz), cucumbers, pickles, oranges, grapes, cherries, fruit snacks, (Gerber) cheese curls, crackers, craisins &; raisins, (Gerber) yogurt melts, cinnamon toast and foods that you can "dip" in ketchup or ranch dressing.

You drink whole milk with Nesquick in it and mostly apple prune juice to help with your potty habits. :)

You are enthusiastic about life...you wake up every morning ready to explore and are generally a happy child.   We think it's so funny to see the little things that make you happy!

You "babble" non-stop.  We have no idea what you are saying most of the time when you do this, but one day, we know it will make sense!  It makes sense to you, so that's all that matters!  Here is a list of words that you say (frequently!)

"Dah-dee!"  Daddy

"Mah-meeee!"  Mommy (you also say this over and over when you want something...anything!)

"Noooo" No

"Hey"

"Hi"
"oh!"

 "Uh-oh"

"Up" (which you say for up and down! Ha!)

"Peas"- Please (you have to be reminded on this one)

"Doh doh" Dora

"Bah Pah" backpack (from Dora)

"Cuh" Cup

"Eee" Eat

"Dees" This (we think...but it could be "yes")

"Ball"

"Babeee!" Baby

"Aww" Aw- whenever you see a baby or something sweet and gentle :)

"Bah bah" bottle (for your baby dolls)
"Wheee!" (whenever we are doing something fun)
"Wow" &"Whoa!" (anytime something is exciting to you)

"Bah" box, block and bath- you use the same sound for all 3 of these words- we just have to figure out which one you want.  (usually you point, so it's not too hard!)

"ih stuh" It's stuck (hilarious that you learned this) This is for anything that you are trying to get out or pull down and can't.  Sometimes you say it about yourself- like it you are in a tight spot and can't escape! :)

"papi" Paci (your love)

"wah" walk (which you want to do instead of riding in a grocery cart!)
"boo!" (as in peek-a-boo!)
"daw" dog
"booh" book
"meow" cat :)

And you will repeat pretty much anything we ask you to say....these are just the words that I can think of right now that you say on your own!!

You are wearing a size 4 disposable diaper, but I try to use our cloth ones as much as possible (I've slacked a little with all the travelling and moving that we have been doing).  You are in a size 24 months clothes and can wear a 2T in some things.  You wear a size 6-7 shoe and your hair is getting really long!  It curls up in the back when it is clean! :)  We will probably have to get a trim soon!

You still like to snuggle and give lots of hugs and kisses.  You are developing a little personality and we are taking it in stride.  The other day daddy put you in this dress, only to realize it was a little big.  He went to take it off and you threw a fit!  You liked it and wanted to wear it!! So, daddy rolled up your sleeves and put jeans underneath and you were happy the rest of the day.

You LOVE bath time and also like to ride in the car (especially if you can watch a video).  It is hard to go to the store with you, because you don't like to ride in the shopping carts anymore.  You want to "wah, wah!"  (walk)- which you announce loudly when I try to put you in the cart.  Eating out is also hard, because you don't like to sit in the high chair and as soon as you are finished eating, you want to get up!

We love spending time with you, little girl!  You are so precious to us!  We are looking forward to all the new things to come!  Mommy and Daddy love you!!