Eighteen Months and Toddlin' Well

Lucy is now 21 months (18 months adjusted age). She doesn't look like a baby anymore--she is definitely a toddler! I have never really thought about how perfect the word toddler is for this stage.  Lucy really does toddle around the house all day.

 

Mark and I have loved seeing her become more independent during this stage. She doesn't cling to me as much anymore and instead waddles around the house searching for random household items to entertain her.  I see her carrying them around and sometimes have no idea where to find them after.  Like this remote for instance.  Mark and I searched our house far and wide and were ready to buy a new one because we were so frustrated that we couldn't find it.  Lo and behold, I was getting batteries out one day and found it on a shelf in our hallway closet.   She probably just wanted to join in on the fun since she sees me pick up the house everyday--if only it was fun to clean.

 

Her independence has also gone to a new level through her eating.  Here she is after feeding herself plenty of watermelon with her very own fork!  You can tell she is pretty satisfied.

Lucy babbles a lot more and says a couple of words too. Every time she says, "Mama" it is like music to my ears. I love it! Most of the time though, Lucy uses, "uh?" for practically anything she wants to tell us. I feel lucky she chooses a sweet little question voice when she wants something instead of a whine. If only Mark could ask me in a cute little way like that when he wants something.  Not that he whines but it just sounds more enticing to help after a little voice like that.

Lucy loves to cuddle--especially with something soft.   Favorites include Daddy...

Her Blankie...

Any stuffed animal but especially this puppy...

and these pants.  She got into my pajama drawer one day and the next thing I knew she was wearing my pajama pants draped around her neck.  Ever since then when she sees the drawer open she will go straight for the pants. It's funny to me that she loves these but even more funny that she wears them like its her precious mink fur.

When Lucy likes something she gives it a kisses and hugs.  It started with her stuffed animals but it now has become pretty much anything.  The other day I saw her carrying around the plastic toilet paper packaging she had gotten out of the garbage.  I couldn't figure out why she was kissing and hugging it until she showed me the Charmin Bear on it.   Another one of her favorites to kiss and hug is her squeaky shoes she got from Aunt Jenny.  I can't tell you how much joy she gets out of those babies. 

Like usual, now comes the shrine of pictures of Lucy. Enjoy!  (or skip if you're bored):)

I don't know what is with the funny faces she pulls sometimes. Out of the blue she gives me a crusty and I try and figure out how I wronged her.  If someone says hi to her she usually gives them a crusty too.  She is a funny little thing.

Along with her questioning "uh?", Lucy has become quite the pointer too.

We had a fun morning at the park one Saturday after an awesome garage sale.

Lucy's favorite part was going down the slide as you can tell.

What she really loves most is riding in a swing. We had to pry her out of this one.

She was the perfect little model one day at the beach.

And for the finale...my friend Heidi took this picture of Lucy.  Thank you Heidi.  I think it is so sweet!