18 months

Our Gabrielle is turning 18 months in a week. I know it's an early post, but we have a busy couple of weeks ahead of us and I wanted to get it posted. I can't believe she's as old as she is. (Well how old she almost is) I also can't believe she is going into nursery. A few months ago I was a little sad at the idea of her being old enough to be in there. Now I think Adam and I are both ready to stop juggling her through our meetings. She struggles a little bit with nursery. I think the older kids running around screaming freaks her out a bit when they all join in. :) So that should be an adventure. I told Adam we need to pray she adjusts fast, cause we both teach in December and it's not going to be easy to have her with either of us.

She is still all smiles all the time.....well most of the time. She is quite the stubborn child and it scares me just a little. She's quite the combo of sugar and spice. Battling with her can be a little exhausting at times. When she's happy though it's all laughter and sunshine. She is still constantly exploring. She loves outside as you are all aware, and can't figure out why I don't let her out all day long. (Battle # 1) She loves to sing, especially with you to any songs that have actions. She is still the dancing queen of our house. She now hates baths. (Battle #2) She is getting more picky as to what she wants to eat and when she wants to eat. (Battle #3) Her favorite things to eat right now are bagels, carrots, and grapes. She talks and jabbers and says more real words in her ramblings. She repeats everything and it's so fun to hear her associate a word or try to pronounce something. She likes to tell you that everything is hot. (she is learning that the stove, her food, the fireplace, and other things are a no touch zone) She'll run screaming at Greta, "NOOO hot! No touch!" If Greta gets too close to a fire in the fireplace. She's kinda bossy and when you play it's how she wants things to happen. Her imagination is already flourishing. She would spend ALL DAY reading if you were willing to read to her. She then likes to read them to you. We spend a lot of time with our faces in books. I love it. She knows where all of her body parts are, and is working on shapes. Her favorite animal noise is probably the dog. If you ask her an animal she doesn't know she tell you Ruff. I love her cat noise, cause it's so high pitched. She loves to run and try to jump, and is still obsessed with bikes. She loves sesame street and while eating a cookie the other day impersonated cookie monster by saying, "mmm cookie." in a gruff voice. She loves tinker bell and freaks out anytime she sees anything tinker bell related. She's really into coloring right now as well. She is slowly adjusting to her new time change schedule and does pretty good most days. She brings us so much joy everyday. We feel so blessed to have her. We love you bug, boogs, beaners!

Here is our attempt at some 18 month pictures this weekend. Getting a toddler to smile and hold still for a camera isn't always the easiest thing. :)