Letters To Tory: 18 Months

Hey Tory Girl,

You're 18 months old now!

I love this stage of toddlerhood because spending time with you is so much fun. Every day, you have me laughing at silly things you do, insanely proud of your kindness and smiling from ear to ear with every sweet hug you give me.

You're talking more everyday and now say about 26 words, the latest being "hop," "ball," "blue," "balloon," "bubble," "Ashley" (for Auntie Ashley and/or your little friend, Ashley), and "hide." Basically, you dominate words that start with "B." It's your favorite sound to make. We're enrolled in a children's music class this winter and many of the songs have the rhythmic sound of "baa" in them. When we ride in the car and listen to the music CD, you sing along with the songs and tap your hands to the music. It's adorable!

Speaking of music, you're the star of the class. Everyone sits in a circle, sings songs and plays instruments during the session. Most of the kids sit nicely in their mommy's laps but not you, Tory Bean. As soon as the music begins, you plop yourself right in the center of the circle and tap your hands on your knees to the beat of the music. Last week, you discovered the teacher's iPod sound dock and were pushing buttons on it faster than I could stop you. What a stinker! At the end of class, the teacher gives all the kids stamps on their hands. As soon as the "good-bye" song ends, you bolt right to the front of class and hold our your hand for a stamp. You're much more outgoing than many of the 3 and 4 year olds in the class, which I love about you. I often tell Daddy we're going to have our hands full because you love to be the center of attention.

Along the lines of communication, everything this month is "up" and "on." You've been saying these words for a few months now, mostly to indicate when you want to be held (up) or when you want us to put on your shoes (on). Quite often, you confuse the use of "up" and "on" when speaking about other things. For example, you'll say "up" to turning on the light switch, which technically is true - the light switch does go up - but you really should be saying "on." Whenever you want to take your sleep sack blanket off after sleeping, you'll say "on." Of course, we're working toward using "up" and "on" correctly in various ways, but in the meantime I can't help but smile every time you get it wrong because you're trying so hard to tell us what you want.

One of your newest words is "hide" because you loooove the game of hide and seek. Your favorite places to hide are in the closets and showers. When Daddy comes home from work, you whisper "hide!" (because many of your words are in whispers for some reason) so we hide behind the kitchen half-wall until Daddy walks in and finds us. You like to hide underneath the bed sheets or blankets and are thrilled with delight when we find you.

You're still climbing everything in sight and can even monkey your way into your high chair now. I've sort of stopped scolding you for climbing on the dining room table because otherwise I'd be saying "Tory, get down" 100 times a day. You have no fear and will shimmy your way off the bed or couch with no idea how far to the ground you've got to go. Surprisingly, the one place you don't like to stand is on a chair at the counter while I'm cooking in the kitchen. You crinkle up your face nervously and scurry yourself down after a few minutes.

You're still so girlie and spend much of the day pushing your baby dolls around the house in the stroller or shopping cart. You also like play kitchen and pretend cook by stirring and scooping with cups, bowls, measuring spoons and spatulas. You're mommy's little helper and anytime I'm unloading the dishwasher, sweeping the floor, doing laundry or wiping down the counters, you're right beside me assisting with determination.

We spent many weekends at the cabin this month, sledding and playing outside in the snow. You like to be pulled around the lake as long as it's not too cold outside. Last weekend, I even taught you how to make snow angels and you giggled so hard when I flapped your arms and legs in the snow.

Love you, baby girl. Here's to another fun month ahead.

XOXO,
Mommy