19 months

(ten days late)

19 months!

I'm in denial about the whole TWO years coming up here around the bend. She's still my little baby... even though I have a new 'baby' in my life. Ari can't possibly be ready to be TWO YEARS old in a few short months.

We are loving this age. Ari is so smart and loves to read books. We say that a lot but seriously... she'd rather read books than play with any toy in house (except the hose... which caused her first huge tantrum... oh dear!). Sometimes, I'll be busy in another room and I'll look for her. If its quiet you'd think she was misbehaving. Nope, she's just sitting in a chair, reading a book. She also has figured out some of the 'older' baby toys we have like doing puzzles, stacking blocks, pushing buttons and using knobs that seemed to confuse her earlier. Oh, and she locks herself in rooms and hides in closets often. So funny!

Our favorite recent words: walrus (wallwash), home, Thank you ('NeeNee' with the sign language), zebra, goat, giraffe, raisins (ray-ray), nose (noosh), mouse... and so many more. We're trying to write them all down but there are too many. She knows a number of animal noises and growls a lot!

Ari is doing great with Ashlyn. She is very sweet and patient and even tries to get Ashlyn to drink her (Ari's) milk, even eat her raisins and say 'Thank you' in sign language. She is rarely jealous and seems to be adjusting fairly well.

I have noticed a lot of frustration in Ari when a) she can't do something b) she doesn't get her way c) you take something away from her and d) when me/Dan aren't paying enough attention to her. Typical Toddler behavior from what I've heard/experienced/read. She's a stubborn Belgian like her mom. :)