Elise {16 months}

 There is no doubt, our little firecracker is growing up! (Way too fast, in Mommy's opinion. I've said more than once this summer that it feels like she's 2 or 3 and not my little one year old.)


At 16 months, Elise:

• is all into doing things HERSELF.  Some things, she's getting pretty good at . . . she loves to throw things into the trash, put laundry into the basket, and is a fairly willing helper when it comes to putting toys away (in other words, she likes to put things into a bin/basket/container).  E has also started using silverware more, and is getting much better at actually getting food into her mouth (although it's still a messy ordeal).

• wears size 12 mth and 18 mth clothing, size 4-5 shoes, and size 3 diapers

• is saying a few more words! She is still very generous with her "Mommys" and "Daddys" - but has started to over generalize and calls all women Mommy, and all guys Daddy (including Braden) - so we are working on getting her to say Braden (or come up with something to call Braden instead of Daddy!) Other words we hear regularly are: this, ball, bath, hot, Addie (as in her cousin - I think she got that one quickly because it's similar to Mommy and Daddy), hat, baby, and pop.

• has a blast in the water.  E has become very comfortable at the pool, and last week she even jumped off the side to me!  I love that my kids are not scared of the water, but it does keep us on our toes!  She is also just the cutest thing ever in her little swim suits!  We go to the pool nearly every day, and sometimes go twice - in the afternoon, then later when Daddy gets home.  It's fun to go later in the day, because there's hardly anyone else there.

• still usually takes 2 naps a day . . . a short one late morning (that she's sometimes refusing), and then a nice long afternoon nap (at least 2 hours, sometimes more if she skipped the am nap or we went swimming and wore her out!)

• adores her big brother . . . and wants to do everything he does.  She's recently started "wresting" with him, and if he's playing on the floor, will run over and attack.  It's pretty cute, and she laughs and laughs, but said sibling wresting matches often end up with someone in tears

• got the all clear on her ears!  She had 3 back to back ear infections this spring, and we had to go in for a check last week. If she still had one, our next step was going to be tubes.  Thankfully, her ears were all clear!  She is, however, getting more teeth. I have honestly lost count and have not taken the time to pry her mouth open and take inventory . . . but I think she has at least 4 on top, and is currently working on her 3rd bottom tooth.  The doctor said she also saw some teeth erupting in the back, which could be causing pain too.

• is full of SPUNK and giggles and is so much FUN :)  We love you, Lisey Lou! (pron.  "lease - e" -- we have lots of nick names for E:  'lise, Lisey Lou, Elisey, Liser . . .)