THE KUPPERSMITH FAMILY: Marlo 18 Months

Well this post is a little past due but we have had quite a busy month and I wanted to wait until we made it to the doctor for her 18 month check up to report her new stats:) As of yesterday, Marlo is 28.5 pounds and 34 inches long. This puts her in the 90-95th percentile for weight and height. The doctor said she is the size of most 2 year olds and asked how tall her daddy was. I guess I don't quite look like I should have babies that are in the 90th percentile for height:)

Marlo has definitely become a toddler. Her eating has changed a lot. She still likes most things but eats a lot less and chooses about one good meal a day. Her favorites continue to be smoothies, spaghetti, most fruits, cheese, and broccoli. The funniest thing though, is that she will not eat simple things like grilled cheese or a cheese quesadilla. She wants more flavor I guess. She now sits right at the table with us and does a great job using her utensils and eating like a big girl. Marlo has also mastered the word "NO" and a not so nice tone to go with it. She mainly uses it for Liam or to tell Duncan to stay away from her food but has tried it on us a few times too. She screams or throws herself on the ground at times if she doesn't get what she wants but this is mostly when she is really tired or hungry. Marlo has also experienced time out this month. She is actually pretty good at staying on her stool. Her main reason for heading there is hitting (usually out of frustration for not getting what she wants) or jumping on the couch (her favorite activity). In fact, her latest is to stand on the arm of the couch and keep her body straight as she does a belly flop onto the couch. This of course is not quite our favorite.

Marlo is talking, talking, talking. She will repeat absolutely any word. This may make it seem like she knows the meaning to them all as well, but that isn't the case. For example, she can say all the colors but she doesn't "know" all her colors yet. Our favorite thing she is doing is singing. She will listen to songs and pick out words and sing right along. Her favorites are the "hot dog" song from Mickey Mouse club and the Choo Choo soul song on Disney Jr. that usually comes on after that. She also has picked up on a few Taylor Swift songs we have let the kids listen too. I have to record that one day:) In addition to singing, she is almost always dancing along.

Marlo is in love with Nemo. She got a bath toy at Christmas of Nemo and since then, has seen the movie on long trips in the car and just can't get enough. It is probably one of the most clear words she says. She has also picked up on the character, Sophia, from a Disney show called "Sophia the First." She now calls all princesses she sees "Phia."

Marlo is testing her independence. She wants to buckle herself in her seats, walk, not be carried, and try most things on her own. Some of her favorite activities besides singing and dancing are buckling buckles, chasing Liam around the house, playing Ring Around the Rosies, doing simple wooden puzzles, reading books, playing outside, and playing with Liam's trains. Marlo recently started gymnastics as well. She is learning to follow simple directions from the teacher and kind of learning the skills. Unfortunately we will break for the summer so it is hard to tell if this will be something we stick with or not. As always, Marlo continues to think that anything Liam does is amazing, good or bad.

Marlo continues to take one nap in the afternoon for 2-3 hours and sleep for about 12 hours at night. She is transitioning from 18 month clothes to 24 months.

I absolutely love this age. I will take the tantrums here and there for the constant exploring, learning, and development that is going on. While it can be exhausting sometimes, it is so much fun!