Independent is my name...

Independent is Kaiya's new name - she has turned 18 months and all of a sudden she can do everything on her own! She doesn't like to be carried much anymore, likes to walk in the parking lot and into stores. She doesn't need help putting shoes on, gets mad if you try. She doesn't need help feeding herself, even is getting upset if her food is cut up while we eat full pieces of things.

She picks up on things SO quickly and LOVES, LOVES, LOVES helping. If you say, "Kai, can you help me do this..." she gets the BIGGEST smile on her face. Loves putting clothes in the hamper, loves putting shoes in the closet, loves emptying the dishwasher, loves putting clothes in and taking them out of the washer/dryer. She just wants to be doing what we are doing. Its very fun to watch her pick up on things so quickly - we don't even show her how, she just watches us and picks up on it (this is good and bad!!!).

Climbing is the latest thing, I mean, she has been climing on things for awhile but now its getting a little bit out of control! Moreso, I'm scared she is gonna fall and hurt herself. Tonight I was watching dishes and came into the living room and there she was in her high chair...but Josh, nor I put her in it. So of course I had to see what she did so I took her out and let her climb back in and I was amazed! So then of course I had to get it on tape so I took her out and let her do it again!! And now I don't want her to do it anymore!! I think it might be time for her to move to a booster seat or something at our table....or a different kind of chair...

Thankfully, knocking very hard on wood, she hasn't climbed out of her crib yet...and I'm HOPING this doesn't happen for a VERY long time, I like that I can put her in it and not have to worry about her getting out!!

So wait for the next adventure, what our little dare devil will be doing tomorrow....

18 month visit

Kaiya had her 18 month doctor appointment today. All is well - growing as she should. She jumped up a bit in height percentage which is good, she won't be short and fat! lol Her current 'stats' are 32 1/2" tall (75%), 22lb 12 1/2 oz (25%) and head is 47 3/4 (80%). The doctor said she looks great and is progressing as she should, absolutely NO concerns! That makes a mom VERY happy. I have cried some tears today knowing she is 18 months, makes me sad to know she is growing up so quickly!!!

The doctor gave us some info on potty training, but also said she is probably still too little so don't push anything. We have bought a potty chair for her, she does sit on it but she also enjoys putting stuff in it including her foot. So right now it just sits in the bathroom and she is getting used to it. No pressure right now, she isn't ready.

Kai is exhibiting all the typical characteristics of an 18 month old troublemaker. She is big into hitting if she doesn't get her way - she packs a hard punch too!! If you tell her no, or take her away from something she wants she will throw herself on the ground and throw a mini tantrum. The doc today told me just wait until she is 3 and you want her back to 18 month and throwing a little tantrum vs. a big one!! So we try to ignore or distract her when she gets into her fits.

We are also attempting to wean her of her pacifier except at naps and bed time. She would get it sometimes while around the house (but rarely) and in the car. I was told it has to be gone by 24 months but I don't like kids WALKING with pacifiers in their mouths - so it needs to go away except she can still have it for sleeping. We are doing OK with it, at times there are fits cause she sees it and wants it - but we try our best to distract and not give in!!

She got her first fat lip Wednesday evening - the first of many big owies I can only imagine. She was trying to walk up the basement stairs and Rocco couldn't wait and sprinted up the steps and hit her - causing her bottom teeth to jab into her top lip :( Pictures below - so with the short bang cut I gave her and the fat lip - my daughter now looks like a boy! Wonderful!!