18 Months!

Marie had her 18month check up last week and is doing great! She was 16lbs 10oz and 29in so she is an all around shrimp but she's a healthy shrimp. We think she is just the most fun little person around. She is smart- she has a lot to say, and I think she is really intelligible for her age, she is really good about following directions and I know she understands what is going on, and she is the best puzzle worker we've ever had. She is sweet and gives hugs and kisses freely, if one of the older kids is crying, she'll go up and pat them to try and make them feel better, she takes excellent care of her babies, and she will usually share with us when asked. She's not so good at sharing with outsiders, but she is getting better. And she is spunky! She delights in getting into just a little trouble, and will usually wait until she catches someone's eye before doing what she isn't supposed to be doing. With other kids, she seems to want to be a leader. Or is it a bully? She just knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go for it. If a strange toddler takes her toy- she will go get it back! If someone pushes her, she'll push back and then come point them out to me and tell me about it. I guess we should work on getting her to tell me before she pushes back! She is fearless on the playground and persistent about doing what she wants. If she falls, she gets up and tries again. If she can't do it at first, she tries until she makes it work. At her first class at the baby gym, the other sweet girls were sitting nicely for circle time, and my Marie was running with the boys and telling them what to do. She also has some pretty good talent on the balance beam! Her personality is so different from the other 3 kids and it is definitely a change, but we all love her so much and are having so much fun with her.

Some pictures from this month:

Marie singing along with Laurie Berkner- "Marie has a duck on her head, Marie has a duck on her head, Marie has a duck on her he-ee--aaaddd!!! And she keeps it there all day!"
At the zoo on Valentine's Day. She loved the zoo! She liked crawling around on the statues but I think the pandas were her favorite.


And Marie just being cute!