"Happy Birthday to...." Eighteen Month Update

Eighteen 'Busy' Months

566 days have passed since sweet Atley girl joined our every moment.  NaiNai (Taylor's mom) always describes her as busy, busy!  This is so true.  We are forever moving, talking, running, jumping, laughing, dancing......busy, busy!  I have fallen behind on compiling Atley's doings on this blog--but have been keeping track in other areas.  I'd like to say I'd spend time catching up on prior months but my best bet is to probably start with the here and now!

Waiting to board the bus--and pay with Mom's wallet--big girl!

Stats:
33 inches and 26 pounds.  Atley had her 18 month vaccinations last week--at least I think she did! The girl did not flinch, squirm or make a peep. Amazing!  She's progressing just fine according to the nurse--although they were insistent that she attempt to build something with blocks--while Atley was insistent that she only knock them down and cheer.  Yes, we have some work to do.  She's currently wearing 18-24 month old clothes that are pretty snug.  We've been buying her size 3 pants (yes, 3, as in toddler. Wow.) to cover her lengthiness (and appease Mom's dread of short pants).  She also needs size 2 shirts to keep up with that long torso.  Things are baggy but seem more comfortable in the hot months than the 'just right' fit.

Hanging with "friends" at the park (random kids but loving it)

Favorite Words and Other Milestones:
Atley has had a desire to talk for a long time.  She has been using simple words since about 11 months but has lately taken it to a whole new level.  About a month ago, after I heard some exciting news, I proclaimed, "Ohmygosh that's awesome!"  and thought nothing of it.  About 5 minutes later, with the same sass as Mama, out of Atley's mouth comes, "Ohmygosh!" over.and.over.and.over.again.  She has been obsessed. I have heard her yelling it while being left in her crib.  I have heard her mutter it when on the "phone." I've even heard her say it while talking to herself. I suppose it is a good warning to us! Atley also loves to sing "Happy Birthday" to all of her friends before going to sleep.  She has such a knack for names.  She can remember all her friends and which parents they belong to (if she sees the mom or dad she asks where the child is!).  She has a heart for people already!

Just this week she has begun putting together phrases... "Mommy's bed."  "Daddy's hat."  It's adorable. And the grammar freak in me loves that she uses appropriate ownership (surely she's picturing the apostrophe while talking, right?!) Atley is also very organized and particular (where does she get this!?)  and always provides us with a list of needed items before leaving..."umbrella!  shoes!  money!  stroller!"  This kid is going to be paying the bills for us one day--and probably more on time than we do!  

Money is a current obsession--waiting to use the ATM with Dave--(a machine that beeps AND gives money? Toddler dream!  Princess dress courtesy of Pops and Gigi--she loves it!)

Favorite Foods:
Atley has a very mature tongue, for the most part!  She could talk about cheese for days (cubed, cottage...heck, I've even resorted to giving her a pile of shredded cheese when I've promised more than the fridge can offer!).  She also loves Greek yogurt (plain--because it's all she knows), and lately, blueberries (boobies--ha!), annnnd sheareal (cereal--a Saturday morning treat--Oatmeal Squares).  She has mastered the tipping of her bowl to finish off the last drops of milk--and suddenly, I feel like she's 1.5 going on 18.  Thanks, Daddy! But truly, Atley requests curry, and just about any mixture on top of rice will be gobbled up.  She loves fish, chicken, beef, and all sorts of vegetables.  She's a good eater.

Mom is loving the longer hair!

Favorite Activities:
Atley cracks us up.  She loves to live and play 'life.'  We constantly find her using any plastic card she can find and pretending it is her Octopus card (a card used for transportation and some purchases of vending machines, etc. in Hong Kong) followed with a 'beeeeep' just like the machines do.  She loves to 'go shopping' and hauls around baby and shopping cart and purse...just like Mama!  Atley will hunt through wallets (but not pretend wallets--no, no, those won't do...) and 'buy' items around the house with money.  She loves to count, climb, and 'falling down' is quite humorous.  She's lately been requesting 'dartoons' (cartoons) and TV (computer) since we usually let her watch a Sesame Street on Saturday mornings.  She's starting to become very helpful with laundry and I even caught her with the liquid toilet cleaner this morning, attempting to squirt and clean that lovely bowl. Nice.  She will take any chance at getting her hands on technology--but still curls up with us and a book just as easily.  She can often be found carrying ALL her babies and stuffed friends around the house--and somewhere in the pile is our sweet little wavy-haired girl.  She loves to imitate rocking her babies and singing to them--so sweet.  

A sweet Starbucks date with this beauty!

Favorite Things:
Babies.  "Friends!" Abby (baby doll). Elmo.  Dolly. Princesses.  Atley has labels for everything!  It is actually really helpful because we know what she wants quickly.  She loves using adult forks and spoons and drinking (and holding) the glass cups.  She loves the iPad that makes her 'beach' (sound machine). Current favorite books are "I'll Love You Forever," "Bedtime for Elmo," and "Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb."  She has to hold her Bible while singing "Jesus Loves Me," and searching for the picture of Jesus as a baby. I love her routines.  

Our HK baby helping herself to rolling around on the rock garden after watching another man do the same

Least Favorite Things:
Atley hates having her hair rinsed in the shower.  She panics and asks, "done?" over and over.  Sometimes, she still hates riding in her stroller and will definitely put up a stink about it!  She's still not a huge fan of naps...or long ones, at least.

Creatively commuting

Random Unforgettable's:
Atley always says "Hi, Baby" to greet us!
Insists on wearing Princess bandaids for old cuts--days she gets a new cut are very exciting because there is a true reason for the bandaid!
Atley says "Somersault" with many extra unrelated letters and syllables--so cute, every time!
Atley loves to snuggle in our bed in the morning (the EARLY morning--waking up in between 5:30/6)
She can tell when it is time to get off the buses that we take often and loves to press the button to request to stop (sometimes, a little pre-emptively).
Sings "Twinkle, twinkle, little star" in quiet moments and belts it out when needing attention.
Replies "Please, thank you, and welcome" all at once when asking for something.
Has sweet curly hair out of the shower and long wispy hair in face all day long!

On our way to Singapore--love our little family!

Thanks for finding your way back to this blog--I hope I can commit to the same!  We love you all!