eighteen

...months old, that is.

Hard to believe that another half year has flown by. I find myself having panic attacks and nightmares where I wake up and she's already eighteen.... years old, that is. I am constantly in awe of how quickly time traipses along... even when the hours and days sometimes seem to drag.

Mostly I stand in awe of this amazing, sweet, curious, silly, happy, playful and adorable little human being that continues to grow and develop and change before my very eyes. She is at such a fun stage, I can't get enough of her... I know that I've felt that about every stage, but right now is particularly fun as her personality is developing so much and her curiosity about everything around her is at an all new high. I relish the opportunity to see and experience the world through her eyes and notice things that I long ago stopped noticing on a regular basis, whether it's a barking dog outside, bugs on the ground, a loud noisy truck or fire engine, literally stopping to smell the flowers, birds in the sky, the wind blowing through the trees, windchimes spinning or making music or even something as unimportant as hats on people's heads. She watches and observes everything and she is fascinated by the world around her and I couldn't love it anymore!!

Leah's first trip to Blickenstaffs. She was obsessed with the cart just her size and found plenty of treasures to fill it!

She is finally walking.... like really walking. She seems to have finally given up crawling and now prefers to be vertical, something I was beginning to think might never happen. She still toddles and looks adorable, though I know it won't be long until she's running. 

This littlemiss is all girl. From the moment she wakes up, she is getting into drawers (both mine and her's) looking for things to dress up in. She is particularly fond of hats, purses and necklaces. (It's all about the accessories, I suppose) She makes me giggle and swoon when she comes toddling out with sweaters half way on, multiple hats, necklaces as deep as Mr T, some kind of purse and often a baby in hand. 

♥

Yes, that's a swimsuit on her head and yes, that's what she wore while watching General Conference.

She has recently become so engulfed in all of her babies and stuffed animals. She is always dragging several around, cradling them and giving them loves. She especially likes them to take naps. 

She likes to put a blanket on the floor and lay them all down, giving binkies to some, often times covering some with her little blankies, reads them books and then gives them all "nigh-nigh" kisses. It's so fascinating (and ridiculously cute) to watch her pretend and play.

We've been spending as much time as possible outside as the weather has permitted. We are loving Spring so far and expect to log a lot more miles on the stroller in the coming months.

She is still babbling non-stop and seems to pick up new words every day. She currently and clearly says dada, mama, papa, mama(gma), gaga(jojo), wa-wa (water), nigh-nigh, all done, apple, nana (banana), dis(this) and plenty of other random babblings. She knows nearly all of her body parts and what they do (smell, listen, blink, etc). She knows several animal sounds and is learning more all the time. She just learned the actions to "EensyWeensySpider" and she has now finally mastered a handful signs and is especially good at her please and thank yous. :)

(AND...we somehow have her convinced that everyone, including her, has a baby in their stomach. :( not sure how we missed the boat on that one)

I can't believe what a big girl she is becoming. She is happy, playful and social. She is an amazing sleeper, a mediocre eater (I hear it's normal for her age) and just has a sweet-natured disposition. Chris and I regularly lay in bed, reminiscing about how smitten we are with her or funny things she's done and wonder how we ever got so lucky. We said the other night that if we are blessed with another baby that is even half as cool as this one.... we will officially be the luckiest people on the planet!! ♥

 In honor of her half birthday yesterday, we celebrated last night by making this for dinner (omg... so good, so easy and good for you to boot) and capped it off with delicious celebratory cupcakes from Tulie.

We really, really love birthdays (and cupcakes) around here!

Happy Half-Birthday Littlemiss LJ!!

You are, without a doubt, the best thing that has ever happened to us. ♥

***

18 month stats:

Height: 31 inches (15th percentile)

Weight: 22.13 lbs (18th percentile)

Head Circumference: 18.9 inches (75th percentile)

It seems like she's a bit petite, but with a good head on her shoulders. Not a bad way to be! ;)