19 months and Counting

It's been 5 long months since I last did an update on Afton and of course too much to remember has changed , but I will do my motherly best.

Dear Afton.

You are bright, smart, ahead of the game, whichever you please. And I know every mom says that about their child, we have to. We must instill a sense of self confidence in you at a young age. But I am constantly surprised at just how smart you are. Maybe it is just my sense of awe that a 19 month old can do so much without even being able to fully communicate(talking that is). Your list of pronounceable words is growing by the day but you really aren't a "talker". You will repeat words if I ask you to and you still loves to jabber in baby talk. But I wouldn't say you are talking yet. You scream mama or dada once and a while if you REALLY wants something. And you definitely knows how to ask for more food by either saying "more" or "please". Even though you don't talk a lot yet, our communication is awesome. I can give you simple tasks like "go find your shoes" or "go give Oliver a hug" and you know just what I want. Now if I can only get you to listen to me when I want you to STOP something. That is the real challenge.

The terrible two's have started. You climb on anything and everything. You love to climb on your toybox which is behind the love seat and throw yourself over the back of the love seat onto the seat part. Then you will climb down and repeat at least 10 times. You climb on the coffee table every 5 minutes. Seriously considering putting that in storage. *NOTE TO SELF: in the future when we have another child, just get rid of the coffee table for good. They are good for nothing. They aquire junk and are dangerous for not only small children, but very clumsy adults such as myself. Many a swear words have been uttered when a toe was stubbed or a shin slammed. Believe me. Where was I? Oh yes, climbing. We picked You up from nursery two weeks ago and the first thing the nursery leader said is, "she climbed on everything!" Yeah, tell me about it. So far you have not figured out how to climb out of her crib, thank goodness.

You entered nursery at church a month ago and never looked back. It's probably your favorite two hours of the whole week. I mean other babies to learn from (i.e. biting, hitting), snacks to consume, toys to play with and nursery leaders to terrorize with her climbing and consuming of all the snacks. I have also been told by the same nursery leader that "she eats a lot!". Again, tell me about it. Meanwhile, those two hours of nursery where also my favorite of the week. You mean I get a FREE babysitter, a relaxing class to learn and two whole hours to revive by crazy brain. Then....I was called into primary. Sigh, oh well. The peace was fun while it lasted.

You are still a good eater. I wouldn't say you are getting picky, just realizing that you can refuse food if you don't feel like that particular item that is placed in front of you. You still LOVE to drop food on the ground for Oliver. And Oliver still LOVES to wait patiently until you do. Your current favorite foods would have to be: watermelon, raspberries, rice and beans, ANY kind of noodles(long ones preffered), oatmeal and grapes. You are a fruit connoisseur. . I have to limit it because you tend to get diaper rash if you have too much. You are still one of the healthiest eaters I know. I really take pride in that fact. And you will usually always try at least a little of what I put in front of you before you decides you don't like it. We are working on trying to get you to TELL us when you are hungry instead of SCREAM to us you are hungry. So far not much success. When you are hungry, you are hungry and you want everyone to know.

You seriously have no fear. You will go down the slide, even the really tall ones by yourself. You will jump into the pool(into Chads arms).You will do just about anything, which sometimes terrifies me. You always has a bump or a bruise somewhere on your body from a) being a daredevil or b) being clumsy. I have no idea where you inherited that second one from, certainly not me.

You are still a great sleeper. Mama is grateful for this, because mama likes her sleep.You will go down between 7:30-8:30 and sleep until 7-8 the next morning. You are down to one nap a day but have started sleeping longer (sometimes even 1 1/2 hours!) in said nap. I have become used to not having a whole lot of time without you trailing me during the day.

To be honest I have lost track of how many teeth you have. Probably at least 12. And you are weighing in at around 21 lbs or so. Your eyes are becoming a beautiful brown. And your hair is getting so long now. I can almost put it in a ponytail in the back and the front bangs are always in your eyes if they aren't clipped back. You are still a skinny minny and are starting to lose a little of your baby chub. But you still have the cutest Buddha-belly as I like to call it.

You love to go on bike-rides with mom and dad and explore pretty much anywhere you go. You annoy Oliver any chance you get and I am afraid you are in a "not-so-best-friends" phase right now. He promptly trots out of the room whenever he sees you coming. Once and a while you manage to get in a friendly hug or kiss. You like to get into the Tupperware drawer and the hall closet. You like to make a mess of the plants on the balcony  and of our whole house really. You love the park and the grocery store. You are not the biggest fan of car rides lately and must be distracted with snacks, or else!

I am sure there are a million and one things I am missing about your life but for now that is enough. You change every day and I can barely keep up but you are so worth it. My life would be pretty bleak without you. Oliver's would too, even though he won't be caught dead admitting it. I thank Heavenly Father every day that I was so lucky to get to be your mom and raise you. I also thank him for making you just like me (and your dad). The first 19 months have been great and so will the next.

Love you, Mom