Olivia Layne - 17 Months

I think we can officially say our little baby is no more. You are more little girl each day, my sweetheart. Your smile will probably continue to slay me for the rest of my life. Those dimples! I think it's going to be harder and harder to keep track of the things you can do from now on, you can do so much. When you see a frog or rabbit you try to jump and it is the most adorable think to watch you concentrate on it while your heels come off the ground. Your only word is still uh-oh, but you are great at animal sounds and sometimes you even say "up" when you are playing by squating down and then popping up with your hands in the air! Sometimes you talk and talk and it is one of my favorite things to listen to you. It seems like you are having a conversation with friends, or maybe yourself, with hand motions included. You really like to watch kids dance, and then try to mimic them. I think we are all glad it's summer because it's so fun to play outside. You could stay outside all day and night! Your first canine tooth is coming in, so you're on your way to your 13th tooth! You are still a really great eater. I wish I could say the same for sleep. Well, actually, sleep is much better than it used to be, with some hiccups along the way. Just like several of my friends predicted, you had some funky nap patterns for a while, but you have started evening out your nap, with just one around 11:00 for around 2 hours. With that started later bedtimes. We thought you weren't tired. I think we thought wrong. You were probably overtired and we missed the opportune bedtime, which created a lot of frustration and going in and out of your bedroom. We are working on that now. A more routine and strict bedtime, which isn't as fun for you, since you and I have to stay in your darkened room even when you cry :( But we're figuring it out and I'm hoping soon you'll be back to sleeping more easily by 8:30. We learn a lot together, you and Mama :) I wouldn't want to learn how to parent with anyone else. Independent play is becoming something you do more often and for longer periods of time. It is an amazing thing to watch you use your imagination with your toys. I LOVE it! I could say a lot more on this, your 17th month, but I will save it. You're going to be a year and a half so soon! Like the silly cliche goes, don't blink, it goes by so fast. Loooong days, short years. You are the light of my life, baby girl. I love you so much. xoxo