Clara at 18 Months

A year and a half ago we welcomed our sweet Clara into the world.  It's kind of crazy to think about just how much she has grown and changed in such a short period of time.  She is now walking and talking and twirling and giggling and bursting with personality!  We love her more than ever.

At 18 months, Clara:

says:
mama, daddy, kitty cat, water (wa-wa), blankey (bunkie), diaper (diapo), cracker (gunka), dog, puppy, wind, ball, bubbles, yeah, pretty. hi, night night, jacket, Jesus, banana (nana), bob (as in grandpa bob), baby, ow, wow, amen, cheese, keys, shoes, barbara, lulu (two of her cousins)

can show you her:
head, hair, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, teeth, tummy, hands, feet, toes

signs (most frequent):
milk, please, thank you, more, all done, fish, baby, shoes

sings:
i am a child of god, abc's/twinkle twinkle, itsy bitsy spider, i love to see the temple (just the first line over and over), wheels on the bus (she really does know all of these tunes all the way through and can sing them on perfect pitch)

loves to:
sing, play outside, swim in her inflatable pool, go to bed at night, go on walks, read books, explore, go to nursery (YESSS - three weeks in and she's doing GREAT!), play peekaboo - especially when you throw a blanket over her head and she has to find her way out

does silly things, like:
run in place when she's really excited, make lots of super expressive faces right in a row (sad, curious, upset, happy, cheesy), take big exaggerated steps to stomp around the living room like a little gorilla, shuffle her feet occasionally, get super slap-happy right before bedtime

likes to eat:
saltines - we had them around because I wasn't feeling well, and she loves them.  I think they are her favorite food right now (sad!)
all berries (raspberries and blackberries are favorites)
peanut butter sandwiches
apples
applesauce
tortillas
green smoothies
french fries
chips (I blame Spencer!)

does not eat:
ANY meat (I constantly wonder if she's becoming anemic)

sleeps:
12-13 hours at night and one 2ish hour nap in the afternoon

I love that she:
enthusiastically says "yeah!" to respond to most inquiries (still hasn't learned the N-O word yet), responds to simple commands like, "bring me a book," "put the toy in the basket," "give that to mama," "give _____ a love/kiss/hug," gives hugs and kisses frequently and freely, lays her head on my shoulder, eagerly helps me unload the dishwasher, handing me once piece of silverware at a time to put in the drawer

Has grown a lot - at her 18 month checkup (at 17.5 months...):
Weighed 22.18 lbs (23rd %)
Measureed 32 inches (69%)