Year-and-a-half, Miss Chloe

Chloe.

I'm running a month (plus) behind with this one. I started it when she was 18 months and now here we are well over 19 months!

I have a difficult time articulating why I love this age so very much but I'll try my best. Although I think newborns are surely sweet in their own right, for me things get really cute (and much more fun!) when they are walking/ talking little toddler munchkins! I just love the personality they express, the way they are soaking up everything and learning so much, but yet are still dependent and baby-like, too. Personally,  I love how Chloe crinkles her nose when she laughs hard, and how she looks back giggling when she is trying to run away from me. Those chubby toddler thighs and chubby cheeks I could never tire of kissing either.  Yes, I wish I could bottle this age :)

Nursing is still going well, although has diminished in frequency. We are down to almost only night nursing, and I think she will be ready to end on her own in the next few months. She has also started to show signs of being ready for potty training- it is her call, but I think it will be soon! I'm not sure I am ready for it yet, but I will follow her lead as I did with Alison. I don't push, whenever they are ready (or not ready), so am I.

Chloe looks up to and loves her big sis, (whom she calls "Ali"), lights up when she sees her, and always wants to be around and be playing with her (although I can't say this is  always true the other way around ;). She absolutely loves Sesame Street, specificially Elmo! This took off about 2 months ago when she saw him on Sesame Street and it didn't take long before she fell in love :) It  has been non-stop ever since.  When we were at Sea World San Diego in September they have a special play area for little ones that is sponsored by Sesame Street. The characters there do special "meet and greets" for photos, etc.. and Chloe got such a kick out of meeting Elmo in person. She gave him a big hug and kiss. She loves her Elmo books, CDs and movie.

Even though Chloe is ornery and also has her share of toddler temper tantrums lately, she is also usually pretty easy going and patient.  When she hears music, she immediately runs over to me (or whoever is nearest at the moment) and asks to dance with her. She loves animals and giving us kisses. In fact, as I was typing this I heard Alison yell out, "Chloe stop kissing me already"! ha,ha. And , what a trip it is to have a child that eats a pretty good variety of food including fruits and vegetables ! She is not at all what you would consider a " picky eater" (seriously thanking God this time around!) and her current favorites are meats, pastas, apples, grapes and cherry tomatoes.

For my own documentation purposes because (sadly?) this is the only place where I do any sort of documenting! and God knows I'll never remember to jot it down otherwise..

Below is a list of Chloe's self- initiated words that I can think of (although she repeats everything and signs)

MAMA

DADA

BOOK (this was her second real word after mama)
MORE
ME (more like "MEEEEEEEEEEE")
MINE
ALI (easier than Alison)
OMI
FISH
HI
BYE BYE
DANCE
ELMO! (and Abby.. and Oscar.. )
JUICE
EAT
APPLES (although cherry tomatoes are also considered "apples")
GRAPES
WAWA (Water)
NO (and sometimes YES)
GO
DOGGIE/WOOF
MEOW
MONKEY
ONE..TWO..(hasn't made it to 3 yet)
BAILEY
ALL-DONE
UP/DOWN
BABY
"MORROW" (Tomorrow abbrev.)
ME TOO
DANCE
PLEASE
MAX (from Max/Ruby)
"'RORA" (as in, "Princess Aurora" -- wonder who she picked this one up from?)

Funny girl with her big personality! RROARRR

Love you sooo much CC!!