Autumn – you are so much fun! Another month has gone by and you continue to grow, learn and develop into a little girl. Physically you’re a little taller, your hair is now long enough to braid and the last of your front 8 teeth is coming in. You continue to be a little go get’er - running more, walking backwards well, easily climbing up on things like furniture and lava rocks, you are starting to try to jump and can easily manage most easy fasteners (ie nothing is safe left down at your level – you will figure out how to open it). Your language continues to blossom – you are using more and more 3-4 word sentences and can label many things from memory. You easily complete the ABC puzzle and ask us to sing you the ABs. When I ask you to find certain letters, you know about 10 of them – Z, S, L, A, B, D, O, P, U, X. You’ve got it down that A is for Autumn and that you are Autumn. It is so cute – we ask ‘who’s Autumn’ and you point to yourself and say “I’m Autumn.” You now know the colors green and purple some of the time and love building structures with the large size legos. You like to listen to us sing and almost always ask for “more sing.” The other day you asked for “Jesus” – to sing Jesus Loves Me and at the table you will ask for “more amen” after we pray ! So precious!
Inspired by a friend - here is a word cloud of your verbal language at 19 months. These are the words you use on your own - as you can repeat almost everything.
The “OCEAN” - Autumn, you love to play in the ocean and it is one of your favorite words! The other day daddy and I took turns playing with you and surfing and when we went to get back in the car, you pouted and protested saying “More Ocean!” We went back to a calmer area to watch the sunset while you kicked around in the sand and in the water. You like to wade, pick up sand and rocks, be held while sizeable wave hit us, watch the hermit crabs, kick and splash, sitting on the surf board or really anything that includes the water. Tutu took us to the Maui Aquarium and you loved getting to see all the sea life – fish, turtles, jelly fish, sea horses and so much more! You went on your first whale watching boat – and although it was hard to be held for that long and you really didn’t see the whales – you had fun. Mommy and Daddy are so excited to see your love for the ocean grow as you are able to enjoy it in different ways the bigger you get – learning to swim, surf, snorkel and all the other fun things!
Favorites – babies and Elmo are still favorites – but not as much as a focus as in past months. You can spot monkeys in stores and books and ask nana to see her monkey puppet on skype. Other favorites include - the ocean, taking cloths and shoes on and off, juice (which is mostly whole milk these days), papaya “paya”, pineapple, rice, cheese, infant car seat carriers (to play in and out of), fasteners, saying no, a yellow sun hat, showers and baths and looking in the mirror. You love to “play” – you will now come grab our leg and pull us toward your room saying “play, play!” This is supper cute, but hard on daddy when he needs work.
Dislikes – being told not to do something, getting into your own carseat to go anywhere – even the ocean, putting on shoes or clothing that you did not help pick out, getting your diaper changed, bug bites – they ‘itch and hurt.’
Most of the time you are pretty sweet – but here are some things that have gotten you in trouble lately. Pulling on the mirror (or anything in the home that we’ve asked you not to touch – computers, space heaters…), sticking things in the toilet, getting on top of the table, screaming in a store because we didn’t get you something you wanted, throwing food on the floor because you are mad it wasn’t what you wanted, touching the trash or recycle and occasionally biting mommy. This month we have had to start implementing firm time outs and you understand. It isn’t very much fun for any of us, but we know that it is what we need to do to teach you right from wrong and obedience.
Autumn we adore you and are having so much fun being your mommy and daddy! Mommy is so happy she is done working full time until August so that we get to play together often! The first day of your next month we leave for our biggest family adventure ever! We are going to meet Todd, Alissa, Liz and Ryan in Thailand and travel to Myanmar! Although we are a bit anxious about many hours on plane rides, sanitation and such things – we are so excited to share our love for far corners of the world with you at a young age!
We love you sooooooooooooooooooooo much!!!
Mommy and Daddy
