The Blandford Family: 17 months and the end of an era

In a few days Lucy will turn 17 months and this officially marks the end of an era is Lucy's short life - the end of waking up at 3 am and searching for her paci in the dark, the end of standing at the door of music class because her paci is in my purse in the hallway, the end of (just recently) needing a paci to take a bath. It was so cute when Lucy was 12 months old and, just starting to talk, would ask for her paci. We got so excited she used a word that we would excitedly give it to her. Not so cute when I went to drop off her pre-school application and realized that Lucy had her paci in her mouth as we met her soon-to-be-teacher. I am sure there is a huge black X next her application.

We have been planning for the past month to "say goodbye" to the paci but then Lucy was spending the night with her cousins and I wanted her to get invited back, then she got sick and with the current lack of sleep she was getting...., then we had guests in town, then she had a birthday party, and then it was too close to our trip to Arizona and since I am flying solo with Lucy....I made the executive decision to let her keep it until we get home. We have been talking about how we will be saying goodbye when we get home from Arizona, and as hard as it will be to take something away from her that she loves so much, we will just redirect her addiction :)

So, fingers crossed. A few things about her at 16 months:

- She is 29 inches tall and weighs 17 lbs - so on the small side but is developing great and has all the motor skills she should so her doctor is just keeping tabs on her weight.

- Lucy is really getting into pretend play - she likes to walk her baby stroller around the house, pretends to feed and brush their hair. She still likes her button-pushing-light-up toys (what kid doesn't?) but seems to much prefer playing with her Sesame Street characters - taking them to school on the bus, moving them around, playing with her tea set or taking the tops on/off her sippy cups or taking straws in/out of her cups. She recently got a broom that looks just like mine and she will push it around the house, and try to help me with things around the house.

- She is great at taking directions (she puts her hat and boots away when we ask, sits when we ask her to, helps clean up in her classes) and is showing us she understands so much more than we thought. Maybe just a coincidence but it seems she is starting to understand when I say "one more time and you are getting a time out" since she no longer is hearing that and running past me to stomp on phone one more time to see if I am serious.

- Lucy has so many words - even if only I can understand them. She says lots of animals - cow, pig, horse, doggy, cat, and just this week was telling me the sounds them make. Not sure when she picked that up!!! She says the names of our family members, cousins, etc, and is trying new words every day. Yogurt, Sesame Street characters, body parts (teeth, nose, ears). And, she is starting to know her colors - she can work with a puzzle and match the blue pieces, greens, etc. She says "yeah" to every question - which is cute for now but one day I am hoping to have a real conversation. She spends a lot of time reminding us that "Big Bird" lives in the giant tv in the middle of our house.

Although she is only 17 months old, she is turning into such a little girl and we are wondering how it happened so quickly:) She walked by herself at the zoo today, just holding my hand. It made me so happy.

Sweet Girl

Hanging out with Papa and Nana (sp?). Whenever the phone rings she says "dadda" or "papa" - maybe Joe and my dad call a lot?! Just saying.

This hallway needs some scenery

Proof that pacis can be an addition

Trying to keep the peace...

Celebrating at Abigail's 4th bday party

The big birthday girl and Caitlin doing some gymnastics. The party was super cute and super fun. Too bad Lucy just ran around the entire time, mostly interested in the cordless phone and remote controls.