17 Months Old

Its been awhile since I've posted what Brianna's been up to lately so I thought, since she's 17 months old as of July 4th, I'd fill everyone in on what she's been up to lately.

• She still signs quite a bit, both for things she can say and things she can't.  At last count, she was up to 24 signs.  The latest words she is saying are: Mama, Dada, puppy, kitty cat, outside, shoes, icky, uh oh, no (in many different intonations to communicate exactly how emphatic she is or isn't), eat, paci, strawberry (sta-be), cook, hi, bye-bye, more, knee, nose, eyes, cheese, cereal, belly button, toes, book, animal and fishes.  She can also say all the names of the kids in her class and the babies that are in the class below her.  She mimics a lot so I'm not counting those.  She did a perfect mimic of "suitcase" the other day, but when asked what it was later, wouldn't say it so until she actually uses the word without it being a mimic, we don't count it.
• She loves to throw the ball for puppy and play "catch the baby", where we chase her around the house, then throw her over our shoulders when we catch her. 
• She's the sweetest baby and the cleanest baby ever!  She gives lots of hugs, snuggles and kisses and likes to give "group hugs", particularly if she wants to hug someone other that Justin or I.  She'll also blow kisses to her daycare teachers at the end of the day.  She also doesn't create a lot of messes and will walk around the house picking things up and then taking them to the trash can, putting them in and telling them bye-bye.  There's been a few things make it in the trash can that weren't supposed to but its a good way to occupy her for a few minutes while I'm doing dishes if I need paper towels thrown away! 
• She's starting to show an interest in all things potty related.  She will point to her diaper after she's peed and when you ask her if she needs a new one, she'll go in her room and wait for you to change her.  She also loves to help me go potty, including handing me the toilet paper, flushing the toilet then telling it "buh-bye".  I think buying her own little potty is in the near future.  She can start official potty training at school when she moves up in August and I'm hoping she's a fast learner since she seems so interested in it.
• She hasn't, thankfully, started showing too many signs of the terrible two tantrums.  She'll have her moments and start whining or fussing, but usually ignoring it or providing her a distraction seems to work.  We haven't had any total meltdown temper tantrums that involve throwing herself on the floor yet, but I know they're coming.
• She has 6 teeth right now, one that just broke through and 3 more on the way.  She's got 4 on top (including the new one), 2 on bottom and then one on the top at the back.  The three new ones are all back teeth and seem to be very painful, including causing her to run about a 101 fever the last few days.
• She also is starting to want to be rocked to sleep less and after about 5 minutes, she will point to her crib and want to be laid down.  She falls asleep all on her own with nothing needed from Justin or I to help her.  Its nice because we know that's what's healthy for her, but there are nights when I really want to rock her and she's pretty adamant she's ready to lay down instead.  She regularly is in bed about 8:00 and then sleeps until about 7:30, still taking a good 2.5 hour nap each day. 
• She still LOVES books (makes me so proud!!) and will sometimes ask for one as soon as she wakes up from a nap.  She carries a book around almost as much or more than anything else.

I think that covers most of what's she's doing these days.  She's not a baby any longer but a full-fledged toddler.  Its so much fun to play with her all weekend but there are still times I miss that newborn cuddliness.  She seems to know when I'm needing a few extra cuddles and will come crawl up in my lap, lay her head on my shoulder and pat my arm.  But, then she's off and running again and the moments past.  She's a busy little girl but I wouldn't have it any other way.