Evelyn is now 20-1/2 months - just 3-1/2 months shy of turning 2! It hardly seems possible.
She is talking more and more - mimicking everything she hears us say - even big words like "thermometer". She recognizes people and can name her friends and family when she sees pictures. She knows her "baby brother" is in mommy's tummy and when she saw the ultrasound picture on our desk she pointed to it and said "baby brother"! It's a little overwhelming how much she knows and understands!
She's also asserting her independence more and more. She wants to do everything "by self" and becomes quite upset if not given the opportunity. In some ways I am glad that she is capable of doing so much on her own, but other times it can be quite frustrating when it's something she clearly isn't able to do - like unload the dishwasher, or change her own diaper - or when we're in a hurry to go somewhere and she's taking FOREVER to put on her shoes or climb in the car.
Some of the things she can do by herself:
- Get dressed (mostly - sometimes she needs a little help finding the right hole to put her arm or leg in).
- Put on her coat, shoes, hat and mittens.
- Climb into the car and into her car seat (she can even buckle the top buckle when she feels like it).
- Climb into her crib (sort of - she needs a little boost over the rail).
She's become quite interested in coloring and is always asking to "color. color" Then she'll spend a good 15 minute entertaining herself by coloring. She also has several favorite books that she likes to have read again and again, and even remembers parts of the story. Some of her favorites include "Chugga Chugga Choo Choo", "Little Gorilla", "Hand Hand Fingers Thumb," and "Great Day for Up." And she loves listening to music. Every time we're in the car, or playing at home she wants to listen to music.
Finally a picture with a smile!
Jeremy and I have started working on potty training with Evelyn. For the most part she's been pretty accepting and we've had some small successes. Sometimes she will tell us when she needs to go potty (or have her diaper changed if we've missed getting her to the potty), other times she will completely refuse to go near the potty. At least we're laying the groundwork I suppose. Sometimes I think it would just be easier to keep her in diapers a while longer, but now that she's getting more aware of her bodily functions I think that will be hard.
We're also going to be moving her into a twin bed soon so we can have the crib for the new baby. I think she's ready anyway, though it might mean that we just have to put up with her playing around in her room instead of taking a nap or going to sleep at night. But sometimes she does that anyway even in her crib.
Whew! It seems like this development is happening all at once!
Part of me wants it to stop. "It's too soon. She's still just a baby!" "I didn't get to enjoy her enough when she was small!" But in other ways I'm enjoying her so much now, and there are times when she still wants to be cuddled and held, or will come up to me when I'm cooking in the kitchen and hug my leg until I bend down and give her a hug. Too soon I will be wishing to have these times back, so I'm trying to just enjoy them as much as possible now.
