It's been an amazing 18 months. Honestly, as soon as she came into the world, I felt so blessed because I wanted to be a mommy for such a long time (I'm talking decades, here...not years.) I had a fear that I would be prime bait for PPD because I had wanted mommy hood so long, but I was one of the lucky few that looked at my newborn daughter and had no disconnect, no feeling like she was a stranger (these are normal feelings many warned me about,) she was my little Ruthie that I had prayed about for so long. I am so blessed for those positive feelings because Lord knows I'm not good with the negative ones. It hasn't been an easy ride, but a wonderful one. I used the line before, and I will continue to use it...mommy-hood is a "joyous trial." Many things happen that are hard to handle, but I can't help but to feel blessed to have to chance to deal with them (after I stop crying and flipping out, that is.)
Mommy loves you, my little girl, and I thank the Lord that He gave you to us to raise.
18 Month Top 10!
10. You know how to "shoosh" loud people...such as Aunt Oofu, or myself if you think Daddy is sleeping. You "shoosh" me, and then point to upstairs, or our bedroom. So offensive, little booger!
9. You play with toys, not just eat them. I love that you now like your stroller walker, even though you know how to not only walk, but run. A little late. If I try to put a doll in there, you throw it out and dump "blue," your favorite sorting toy, in there to push around.
8. You know Elmo...although you don't watch Sesame Street. Makes me wonder where they are marketing that I don't know about. I'm pretty sure you think the Elmo balloon at the grocery store is alive and your friend (ah-ha! That's where!) You talk to "Nelmo" frequently while shopping.
7. You climb, climb, climb. You even climb up onto the couch to watch TV. Unfortunately, you didn't learn to climb down until quite a few days later. You've got it down now.
6. You nod yes and no, and mean it! It's so much easier than when you were just testing it out and we guessed wrong!
5. You communicate with us, and you are not just saying words while pointing. I went to Target about a month ago and mentioned getting snacks while going in. After shopping a bit, I put some snacks in the cart. You looked at me and said, "Mommy, nacks?" (you had never used the word snacks before.) I said "what did you say?" You replied, "Num nums, nacks." I agreed, you shook your head yes and went on with the shopping trip.
4. Learned to eat with spoon. It's a messy process, but as of yesterday, you take the spoon from me if I try to feed you.
3. You talk in some sentences! Your first "Where's the Papa?" and "Let me down!" Now add to the list, "That's mine," "Go Potty, Punkin," and, my personal favorite, "I love you," (complete with sign.)
2. You have an all time favorite TV show...Veggie Tales. My goodness, that is my golden ticket in hard times. But, if you find the DVD case, it takes some major smarts on my end to get you to forget about your "Vega, vega," (insert dance moves here.)
1. You are a little kid now, who walks and talks, plays with the big kids at play groups, knows more than we think you do (for instance, while looking at Big Bird, you said bird! I agreed, you then said, "Lellow!",) is so independent, is often times a Mommy's girl (or Daddy's depending on who said "no" last,) and who's mommy is having a hard time letting go of her baby. I love you, my little girl. Keep doing what you are doing, and mommy's train of mind will catch up eventually.
Some 18 month photos!
For being 18 months (or for just bonking her head at the grocery store,) she got a free balloon! Let's just say, it made our day!
She's such a beautiful young lady! Yikes she's growing while I'm not seeing her! We need to catch up soon.
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