eighteen

Half-birthday.

At this point, I am starting to believe all the people that have warned us about how fast it goes.

It does not seem like a year ago that I was sitting with a baby, thinking how it couldn't be possible that she was a whole six months old.

That,

coupled with Lauren being at an age where she is literally changing day to day,

Yep.
It's going fast.



At eighteen months, Lauren...

... is still busy. She likes to run fast and move often.

... loves her puzzles, blocks & legos, books, and babies. She is BIG into the dolls right now, we take them for walks, in the car and grocery store, and tend to play with them on our hip, making sure they get a loving pat every once and a while.

... has said good-bye to her 'binkie' {pacifier}.

... does animal sounds as a new talent. Although we struggle with cat. She goes straight into her favorite "kitty song" from Toddler Time at the library.

... is beginning imaginative play. The dolls get loved, the cake batter gets mixed, the dishes get washed. So fun.

... has began to show an interest in the potty chair. Mom and Dad have no idea what they are doing, but we are following her lead. So far it has become part of our bath time/pajama routine and she has a rather high success rate. Her love of books really helps with this process.

... shows love through high fives. It's her thing. A high five request sounds like "hiy". That's how Dad and I exchange high fives too.

... is showing glimpses of having a mind of her own. We are beginning to see our share of 'fits' or 'meltdowns' and the other day she was adamant about wearing a certain pair of tennis shoes that weren't really working with her outfit. If you know me, you know that was a hard one for me. But I can't argue with a girl who has her own option about footwear.