Lucy
and Ellory are 18 months! A year and a half! It feels like yesterday
that I was pregnant with them and wondering when they would arrive
and what they would be, but it's also hard to remember life without
them. This really has been a joyous summer. It's been such a good
season with playing outside and having fun together, and having all
three have a nap/rest time together has been great.
Stats/Doctor visits:
Ellory was crying a lot going
to bed, so we checked her for an ear infection before leaving for our
MN trip with family, but they said she didn't have one. She was still
crying going to sleep when we got back, so we took her in again and
checked and on 8/15 she had a left ear infection. They have their 18
month check up in a couple weeks.
Teeth: No
new teeth.
Feeding: Lucy
and Ellory love to eat! They both regularly eat more than Norah.
Ellory isn't too bad, but is still more picky. They both do really
well sitting in their high chairs. They make a huge mess every meal,
but most isn't on purpose. Lucy loves to ask for her milk and loves
to pass out everyone's drinks, and then when Ellory realizes Lucy is
getting hers, she immediately realizes how parched she is herself and
needs her milk immediately. We try to eat fairly healthy and always
give that first, but they do love to have a chip or an oreo (their
favorite) for dessert sometimes. Sometimes they will have a couple
crackers or something for a small midmorning or late afternoon snack
if they are acting really hungry, and sometimes they will have a
bedtime snack, but mostly just three solid meals. Another change was
we cut out the nighttime bottle, so they are solely sippy cup girls
now. We also just switched from the soft spout tops to the hard spout
(because the soft spout ones leak more because they bite on the tip
and make the holes bigger). They are also enjoying summer sweet corn!
Diapers/Clothes: Wearing
18 month and 18-24 month clothes. They still fit pretty well, but I'm
noticing a few things getting more snug. They switched to wearing 4
diapers all the time now.
Sleeping: Ellory
struggled with sleep some this month due to her eat infection, which
made Lucy awake more too, but they are mostly good sleepers. We were
in Alexandria, MN for vacation and in Des Moines this month, and they
always cry a bit more going to sleep in new places, but it could be
so much worse. Once they fall asleep, they are usually great. They
sleep from about 9-8:45 and 1-3:30 (sometimes until 3). Love a good
afternoon nap! Lucy is still usually the first one to sleep and the
last one up.
Words: They
are both saying so many words! Ellory had been for awhile, but Lucy
really took off and is saying so much more this month. Ellory still
says more words total, but both are saying quite a few. They are
really loving learning animal names and sounds- favorites are
puppy/woof, cow/moo, horse/neigh, and duck/quack. They are
understanding so much and can follow simple directions and if/then
sequence of events.
Developments: They
love to give hugs and kisses, especially Ellory, and it's the cutest
thing ever. Ellory will spread her arms wide and say hug and then run
at you. Ellory is concerned if someone gets hurt and likes to give
them a hug/kiss. Ellory loves dogs! Lucy loves to say hi and bye and
wave to basically every single person we see, and she will say it
repeatedly and louder until they say it back. Ellory is more cautious
with strangers and new situations. Lucy loves to find every crumb or
piece of lint and bring it to you. She is pretty particular and will
put things back in the exact place they belong. If she finds a toy in
the wrong bucket, she will put it back in the right one. She loves to
clean up, but only on her own time. Lucy is still very active
physically and loves to climb and move. Ellory has recently started
to follow along Lucy's path and is climbing up on some things, but
not as much as Lucy. Ellory is so happy, but she can also be easily
frustrated and throws more tantrums if something doesn't go her way.
Lucy is more laid back emotionally. When Lucy stops moving, she also
loves to cuddle. Ellory has also sat on the toilet a few more times
this month and has pooped a couple more times. Both girls enjoy
counting and animals.
Favorites: Ellory
is often carrying around an animal or doll, and often sleeps with one
too. Lucy loves to ride bike outside (on her tiny one, or have
someone push her around on Norah's), and swing. Both girls love to go
outside. They both love going for walks, sandbox, park, and taking a
bath. They love to play in Norah's room and the basement whenever
they get the chance. Books are a new love this month- they love to
look at books and do so often. Other favorite things are oreos, when
daddy comes home from work, emptying out the kitchen
tupperware/bowls, and watching out the front window. We love you so
much, Lucy and Ellory! What an amazing year and a half it has been.