18 Months Old

Emma is a YEAR AND A HALF, today!  How in the world did that happen?  Over the last month, she has been enjoying her independence.  We have had so much fun watching her personality blossom even more!  Here are a few examples of the recent activities she has been enjoying:

• Pig-piling on Lily, Mama, Papa, her stuffed animals, etc.;
• Cuddling with our Alpaca rug (she really likes laying on that thing);
• Calling Lily on her "cell phone";
• Playing with other children and showing off her favorite toys when getting picked up at daycare;
• Playing with puzzles;
• Shopping with Mama;
• Reading Papa's old books from his childhood at Grandpa and Grandma Soos' house;
• Helping her Papa unload the dishwasher;
• Helping her Mama cook (her favorite activity is peeling garlic);
• Reaching for things;
• Playing outside;
• Playing with play dough at Grandpa and Pepere's house;
• Cuddling and being rocked before bed (she used to just want to go to bed);
• Playing with her Canadian friend John who came to visit for a weekend;
• Watching John's every move (she is quite an observer);
• "Sharing" her toys with John (something for us to work on) - John especially liked all of her cars;
• Feeding geese and ducks at one of our favorite New England restaurants, the Old Mill;
• Eating corn fritters (yum!);
• "Hiking" to her favorite waterfall;
• Saying "No" when she doesn't want something or wants something (it is her new favorite word - oh no!);
• Saying any word that ends in "k" - book, milk (another favorite word), stuck, etc.; and
• Running/walking around - she is really good on her feet.

Here are a few recent photographs of Emma:

"This play dough smells delicious!"

"John, why are they making us feed the geese this yummy bread?"

"Mom, peeling this garlic makes me hungry."

"I need to get  another pacifier, because having one is not enough!"

"Papa, this is how you unload the dishwasher!"

"Just another day at the park!"

"Hmmm, what should I do today?"

"Catching up on the news, movie star-style!" 

"These puzzles are great!"

"Mom, why do you always insist on bringing our guests here?
Instead, let's go to old sturbridge village or go see covered bridges!"