Lena 18 Months Old

Little Miss Lena is now 18 months old!  She has steadily progressed into the toddler stage and is changing daily it seems! Here is a list of Lena's favorites: 

• Brushing Teeth:  She loves brushing her teeth and will walk around brushing and sucking on her toothbrush.

  

  Lena's favorite part of her bedtime routine.

• Eating Carbs:  Lena's basic food groups are: chicken, cheese, bread, yogurt, pasta, and crackers.  Her favorite foods lately are quesadillas, pizza, spaghetti, Chick-fil-a nuggets, strawberry greek yogurt sticks, and Trader Joe's white cheddar puffs.  She also had chocolate M&Ms for the first time and loved those too.  

  

  Getting the hang of using her spoon!

• Climbing:  She has become quite the climber and continues to display her fearless spirit on the playground outside our house as well as around the house.  The other day I turned around and she was on top of the dining room table!

  

  Lena riding high on the rocking horse that my parents gave me on my first birthday.

• Being outside: Lena cherishes her outdoor time.  Luckily we live in a very temperate climate and can be outside a lot...but never enough for this girl!  She is constantly trying to escape out the front door and when she can't she will climb the living room chair and stare out the windows to watch what is going on.  And lately, when I make her come inside she throws the typical toddler tantrum (arched back, falling on the floor, you know...).

On a ride in her new wagon with her buddy Adam.

Lena is ready for a 5k jog around our neighborhood.

• Animals:  Lena has always been fond of our dog and she continues to get really excited around animals of all kinds.  It is amazing how quickly she can spot a doggie.  Whenever she does see one she starts barking in a really high pitched voice.  

  

  Mesmerized by the mice at the local pet store.

• Dancing &Music:  I suppose that this was inevitable considering I play music nonstop and always clap and dance around to music.  In the car we practice clapping to the beat and she is getting there!  Her favorites right now are the songs from Baby Signing Time.  She asks for that video everyday by singing the title song "Baby, baby" and signing the word "baby".  

  

  Having some cereal and juice while we get ready to watch Baby Signing Time.  

• Good Luck Bear:  I was waiting for it to happen and it finally did. Lena attached to one toy.  I had my Care Bear from the 80's out and she immediately hugged it and they've been inseparable ever since.  I try to enforce a "keep it in the crib" rule but she snatches it with a death grip every time I take her out of her crib.  

  

  Lena and her best buddy Good Luck Bear

• People:  Lena loves her social time.  She is definitely an extrovert and enjoys being around other kids and people.  In the store she says hi to strangers, waves at other kids and babies, and "talks" non-stop.  It is a good thing Lena has so many fun cousins and friends close by!  Generally, on Sundays we visit Grandma and Grandpa and Lena loves taking walks with Grandpa and singing songs and playing toys with Grandma.

  

  Lena and one of her cousins eating spilled Cheerios off the floor.

Grandma time!

• Time with "Da-da":  One of my favorite moments each day is when Dan comes home from work and Lena leaps up and screams "Da-Da!!!" and then runs over to Dan and gives him a big hug.  I've seen it dozens on times and it still melts my heart.  The girl loves her Daddy!

  

  Daddy and Lena on the mall train.  He always does fun little activities with her.

• Reading Books:  She likes turning the pages and is particularly fond of one book that a friend gave her called Ten Little Ladybugs.  She will make me read it over and over again.  She is also fond of pulling all of her books off of the kids book shelves in our living room.  It is quite amazing how quickly she can make a mess!
  
• Pushing  buttons and touching electronics:  The girl has picked up so quickly how to use various electronics around the house.  Her personal favorites are our phones (she can "pretend" text), the remotes, and the air purifier.

  

  Caught in the act!  Lena pushing the buttons...again!

More and more we are learning about the unique qualities and quirks our precious girl has been given.  She is a determined, energetic, verbal, outgoing, adventurous, friendly, musically oriented, observant, a quick learner, and a cuddler.  Every time she blows me a kiss, gives me a hug, or just wants to sit in my lap my heart warms and I remember that we are so blessed to be Lena's mom and dad.  

What a silly cutie pie!