Okay, so this is two months late.
I think the theme of the last three months has been progress, or comfort, or something related to finding a groove. They say it takes a good 6-12 months to adjust to being a family, but I really think we turned a corner around 15. Maybe it was the tough delivery, the long maternity leave, the crazy test I took during maternity leave, or just the fact that Mommy and Daddy are just more tightly-wound than the average bear which causes us to hold ourselves to a higher standard than most (which is not necessarily better or worse; it just is), but that's how long it took.
I know these quarterly updates are about you, but I do think our family has really grown a lot recently. We're so much better at taking you out in public, and what used to be very difficult is just second-nature now. We're in a good routine. And most importantly, we've achieved a sort of balance. You've gotten much more comfortable with babysitters, and we've gotten more comfortable with leaving you with someone. I'm not saying that it's perfect. It's chaotic and effortful. But it's our life and it's the best that it's been so far.
But back to you.
At your last quarterly update, you were just starting to walk. Well now, you're running! Your motor skills have really taken off, even on compliant surfaces. This is good, because this time of year, we're aaaaalways outside. As you've seen from some recent posts, you've been quite the outdoorswoman! You still crawl from time to time, especially when going up stairs, but it's clearly because you want to and not because you have to.
Your most recent checkup told us that you were on target or ahead with all of your milestones. Your speech is probably your slowest skill to develop, but if we count your dozens (hundreds?) of signs, we think you're doing just fine! You're already starting to try to talk a little more, but usually you don't try because you can communicate effectively by signing. You're growing bigger and bigger, but you're still in a shorter height class. Sorry kid; Mommy and Daddy didn't have any tall genes to give you!
Your other big updates are that you've done a lot of traveling. Overall, you're hit or miss when it comes to flying or long car rides. But you're always up for an adventure! You love exploring new places and meeting new people. You even like trying new foods sometimes (though not as much as Mommy and Daddy do). Speaking of food, you weaned during this last quarter. Since then, I think you've asked to nurse only once or twice, so I don't think you miss it.
As a full-blown toddler, you have very specific likes and dislikes now. I'm not talking about how you like when you're full and you don't like when your teeth hurt; I'm talking preferences. You have favorite foods, favorite people, and even favorite toys and games. You're very attached to your daycare teacher, but she really loves you too. Probably your strongest dislike these days is getting into your carseat, but we're working on that.
As I'm writing this, you're closer to 21 months than you are 18 months! So much of this is still the same, but so much of it has already changed!