Dear Siena – 18 Months

Dear Siena,

This is my favorite age yet! You’re talking up a storm and cracking us up with your antics. You’ve been in a great mood overall, are pretty happy playing on your own for a while (depending on the day, often your favorite place is sitting in my lap while I’m trying to eat or do something on the computer), are sleeping through the night again (must have been that 18 month sleep regression – glad it’s over!), consistently taking 3 hour afternoon naps, and if there are any temper tantrums they’re really mild at this point. I feel like we’re in a sweet spot and I’m really enjoying it. I know things can change at any moment, so I’m just going to soak it up and enjoy every moment with you and pretend the Terrible Twos aren’t around the corner.

Your communication skills continue to impress us, and it seems like you learn a few words every day (and know way too many to count at this point). You’re now a little parrot and repeat what we say, which is probably the way you’ve learned the most new words lately. You’ve mastered most of the words in your picture books now so we don’t sit and read as much as we did when you were a determined student. You’re using 2 word sentences to communicate more and more and have surprised us by showing signs that you’re learning to count (or more like memorizing which number comes next). You seem to understand when there are two of something – for example, there were two bowls on the table and you pointed to each of them and said “one, two, two bowls.”

You’ve called yourself “Ne-yena” in the past but after we explained it’s “Ssssiena” by emphasizing the S sound, you started practicing! One day we were driving and I heard you in the backseat saying “Sssssssssss ne-yena” over and over again! You did this for a few weeks and now call yourself “Siena.” Another favorite word that you learned is “help” which means you don’t screech every time you’re frustrated or want something  – you just ask for help. You started calling me Mommy this month instead of mama which melts my heart for some reason!

You are putting together things like “me” and “you” and what is “mine” and “yours.” You can say “I know.” One day when we were at the park you pointed out my shadow and said, “mommy’s shadow” and from then on you love pointing out people’s shadows. Right after you turned 18 months (this post is about 10 days late) you said your first complete sentence which was “I did it!”

You’ve also learned the concept of a “mess” and like to point out when there is one (which is a lot, given you make one every time you eat and pretty much all day long). You enjoy trying to help clean up and do other chores that you see us doing.

We won’t know your measurements until next week’s appointment but I feel like you went through a big growth spurt this month. Your 12-18 month and 18 month clothes are getting too tight and you’ve officially moved up to size 4 diapers. Based on our scale at home you’re still only about 23 pounds but are very tall (which is why the smaller diapers stopped fitting becuase you’re so long!). Your hair is finally growing in too and you got your first comb and brush this month!

This month was fun because we went on a family vacation to Sedona with your dad’s family. We drove to Phoenix and stayed for one night with your dad’s friends and then spent 4 nights in Sedona in a big house we rented near the river with Nana, Boo, Aunt Claire and Uncle Josh. You did great on the drive both ways and you went on your very first real hike of about 45 minutes. This month was also your dad’s birthday.

We’re still having issues with you hitting other kids or pulling on their clothes when they approach you at the park or elsewhere, although it seems to be getting better. One day at gym class I swear you hit every kid there! I know it’s just you learning and a phase and 99% of the times the kids don’t really care anyway, but it’s still a tough situation!

We have been sending a lot of time with my friends Allison and Rachel and their sons lately. Allison had her second son, Lincoln, in mid February and she’s been amazing at getting out with two kids under 2 1/2. We’ve had a lot of  playdates and you are obsessed with looking at the baby (“me see?” you ask) while he sleeps in the stroller (every time we see a stroller you shout “baby!!!”). This month we started doing a nanny share on Tuesday mornings with your friend Emi so that I can work a little more and you get some time out of the house without me! We also enrolled you in a transitional pre-school two mornings a week starting in July. I can’t believe how quickly you’re growing up!

I’m so lucky to be your mom and I love every moment we spend together. I feel like we’ve really gotten into a groove with our schedule and the balance of me working part-time and I love it. I can’t wait to see what you do next my beautiful girl!

Love,

Mommy