Happy 18 months Vivian!

Vivian is now 18 months old. It's hard to believe she has reached this age but my gray hairs prove it! I was just looking through some old photos of her from one year ago. She has changed so much!


Last April 29, 2008, she was this completely bald, chubby blob of a thing who couldn't sit up on her own yet. She didn't really have a neck, LOL. Her personality was just beginning to show its sassiness and diva-like features. Vivian was no where near being mobile and independent yet. She was 28 inches tall and weighed 18 pounds.


Just look at her one year ago!







This April 29, 2009, Viv is a bold and exuberant toddler who is getting into everything. She has some hair now, but not enough for a bow or clip and that hair looks different depending upon the light she is in -- sometimes a strawberry blonde, sometimes a redhead, and sometimes a faint brunette. Vivian is now 33.5 inches tall and weighs 24.8 pounds.



And Look At Her Now!






I must admit, I like her more now than I did one year ago. Sure I loved her. It comes with the territory. But I realize now that I'm not a "loving the baby stage" kind of mom. I sometimes miss the cuddles and rocking her to sleep but all the other stuff -- burping, middle of the night feedings, holding her bottle for her, having to hold her up because she couldn't sit up on her own, and all of those things..... well, I don't miss that so much.


Now she can communicate with me a little through sign language. She can feed herself. I like not having to do everything all day long for her. I like being able to dance with her and play games with her. She can hug me and kiss me back now and there's no greater feeling than that!


I know that each stage is important and you must go through them to appreciate the next one. I get that. But she's so full of life now. Her personality is in full force and she's funny as can be, cracking herself and me up on a daily basis. I love watching her eyes light up and seeing her make a connection. Those little wheels are just moving nonstop in her brain!


Now there are challenges at this age - MAJOR tantrums, defiance, frustration when she can't communicate to just name a few off the top of my head. Sometimes I have to chase after her because she is starting to run from me and head toward the road. She likes a particular food one day and the next day she wants nothing to do with it. (grrrr!)


So conflicts still arise each day but they are different. I feel like I have more of a handle on this thing (most days). Maybe I am just getting used to this whole motherhood thing a little more. Whatever the reason, I love the person that she is becoming and I love looking back at where she (and I) have been.


Happy 18 Months to my Vivian Rose! I love you!