18 Months

Dear Peyton,

How can it be that you're now 18 months?  Didn't you just turn a year?
Every parent says it, but time just flies.

You have 11 teeth (waiting on one 1-year molar to complete that set).
You are about 22 pounds.  You have the cutest little pot belly.

You're a great eater.  You'll try anything and like most things.  You are interested in eating with utensils now.
You're a great sleeper.  You sleep 12+ hours at night and take one nap that averages about 2 hours most days.

Your biggest accomplishment in the last month is that you finally started walking!  I thought the day would never come.  You've been capable of it for months, but just wouldn't commit to it until a couple weeks ago.  I sense a little stubbornness there.  Watching you walk is the cutest thing ever.

You can be a hard cookie to crack.  You are skeptical of new people and even those you know, but haven't seen for a while.  After some time you warm up though.  Sounds a lot like your mama, huh?

Your hair is getting long and has a little curl in the back.  The only thing you allow in your hair are the tiniest little clips.  Just enough to keep your bangs out of your face.  Anything with a bow gets yanked off right away.  Pig tails and pony tails are tolerated, but after a ride in the car I'll find them yanked out and your hair sticking up all over the place.  We stick to the clips most of the time....for my sanity.

You say quite a few words on your own - mommy, daddy, ball, please, thank you, no, mine, dog, bubble, book, teeth, stinky, pee pee, poo poo, up, cheese, more, pretty.  And you try to repeat lots of things.  The communication gap is much smaller than it was with your brother.

You're a busy girl.  Always doing something.  We went to Sea World a couple weeks ago and you had no interest in the shows. You just wanted to get down and explore.  You have no time for TV.  There isn't a single show that captivates you.

It's evident that you have a love of order like I do.  You will pick up Hunter's shoes from wherever they've been tossed and walk them to the closet in his room.  You'll pick up Daddy's socks and try to put them on his feet....where they belong in your little mind.  You love to put things in the trash. You like to help me transfer laundry from the washer to the dryer.  I dropped a piece of clothing as I carried a load from the dryer to my bedroom and you picked it up and brought it to me.

Baby girl, we love you so very much.  You complete our little family.  We are amazed at how fast you're growing and learning.  It's so fun to watch and be a part of.  We are blessed to be your parents.

Love, Mama