Photoshoot: 19 Months Old

Baby girl turned 19 months old on Aug. 28. Each month on the 28th I take a photo of Miss Alexa and her owl to mark her growth because, as everyone likes to remind me, "they're only little for a short while."

This might be the most challenging age so far. She is definitely in full toddler mode. She wants what she wants, and she wants it five minutes ago. Tell her no, and there's an immediate meltdown, complete with tears, squeals and wahhhhs, not to mention flailing limbs. Try to distract her, and you will be met with narrow eyes that quickly avoid your gaze. The cold shoulder!

We have been wearing lots of dresses and T-shirt/shorts combos with sneakers because it is HOT. In the mornings I immediately sweep her hair up off her neck to keep her from getting too warm. She is wearing 18-24 month clothing and a size 6 shoe. Her feet are growing so fast I can't keep up. Plus she wears out her shoes so fast. A quick second to complain about the cost of decent kiddo shoes. Like I'm going to pay more than $20 for a pair of shoes she'll likely either destroy or outgrow in a month.



One nap a day. In general Alexa is sleeping till 7 or later. Getting ready in the morning without her taking that morning nap is still not my favorite thing in the world. We're slowly but surely getting good at it, but oftentimes there are the aforementioned tantrums, especially when it comes to the great offense of changing out of nightclothes.

She is still teething every now and then. The only cure? Ice and binkie. Sometimes taking out the binkie to make room for ice. So not looking forward to the day when we have to take away the binkie for good. We try to keep it only for bedtime and naptime, but if she's crazy fussy it's the only sure bet to calm her down.

Alexa is getting pickier about her food. I'm having to take greater care in presentation, cutting sandwiches and pancakes into appealing shapes, and hiding veggies in mac-and-cheese. She loves hummus and walnuts, though, which is more than I can say for myself as a child.

Walking up and down the stairs without permission is her favorite game. At least, she thinks it's a game until all of a sudden she finds herself in timeout. She is very proficient at stairs, and almost always holds the rail, but it makes me nervous when I'm cleaning dishes and she sneaks off to the staircase. Must keep watching her like a hawk.

Favorite things: drawing circles, playing dress up with mama's shoes, putting things back where they belong, washing hands, water (it's her best friend and her worst enemy), reading (favorite books: Pooh's Honey Trouble, the one where Thumper finds shapes in the forest, animal book -- basically all of the ones that drive me crazy), jumping up and down, "go outside"

New words: Ice, elephant, oh no, I know, apple, let me down, change diaper

I love asking for her help. Most of the time she will oblige. For instance, I will tell her to "get Mama's keys," and she knows exactly where to find them. Same with her shoes (or my shoes). When I tell her it's time to get dressed, she goes to the stairs and holds out her hand. If I hand her a baby wipe after a meal, she will help clean her high chair or face.

The girl would watch "Yo Gabba Gabba" all day on a loop if left to her own devices. She is crazy about that show. It could be worse. The music is good, and there are no bossy "explorers" or purple dinosaurs. Win/win for Mama's sanity. Although you should be warned: I find myself singing random songs, like "Banana."

Previous months:

one  •  two  •  three  •  four
  •  five  •  six  •  seven  •  eight
nine •  ten •  eleven •  twelve
•  thirteen •  fourteen •  fifteen •  sixteen •
seventeen • eighteen