"Ellison Anne 18 months"....

Sitting in a planter

Loving hugs from brother 

Ellison Anne, 18 months 

I have let 3 months pass without updating Ellison's growth!  I have tried to update little things here and there about her with each post, but definitely need to write some specifics down before I forget them. Ellison continues to be pure joy and delight, and already has an intentional sense of humor - receiving much pleasure from making us laugh. She has learned a new "knock knock" joke and it goes like this:

Ellison: "Knock Knock" (spoken more like, "nah nah")

Us: "Who's there"?

Ellison: "Cow"

Us: "Cow who"?

Ellison: "MOOOOOOOOO"!

It may not sound very funny to read it, but to hear her tell it to us is hysterical. She knocks on her head when she says, "knock knock".  She loves to dance and will dance any chance she has. She does what we call the "peg leg" dance - she will keep one leg straight and bob up and down on the other leg on her tip toes, all while slapping her belly - truly hysterical. She loves to get in her bed and rest. Once she is down for her nap or bedtime, she is down for the count. She requires very little from us when she is ready to go to sleep. She will simply walk to her room, grab her "beep beeps" (blankets), and "pah" (pacifier), come back to us and walk to each person in the room waving her hands and saying, "nigh nigh" to every person. She freely gives love, and when asked for a hug, will put both of her little arms around us and squeeze so tightly. She still loves to read and will plop up to 18 books in our laps at a time. Every morning as soon as she wakes up, she wants her "mio" (milk) and "newt newt" (fig newton)!  I know, I know - she probably shouldn't have a fig newton first thing in the morning, but it's whole grain - and seriously, what's the difference in that and a cereal bar??  I give that sweet baby her "newt newt" and love the delight in her eyes!  It makes us laugh every morning...., wonder how long she will keep this up?  Right at 17 months, she dropped her morning nap. So, now she sleeps from 1:00 to 3:00 or 3:30 each day. She adores her big brother - adores him - and will do every, single thing he does - for better or worse! She loves animals, all animals, and has no fear of them. She still does not show that she has much caution about her....., she is a "free spirit" if I have ever seen one. She loves life, loves people, and loves everything passionately. She has one of the most determined spirits I have seen in a child her age...., she does not give up easily.  This trait has already proved to be difficult at times, but also very beneficial for her. She loves food - all of it. She is my little helper around the house - loves to help dust, vacuum, sweep, wipe tables etc.....  She talks non-stop, and will string sentences together in a full conversation. She knows exactly what she is saying, even though we don't always understand everything. I bet once she really starts talking, she is going to talk in full sentences and never stop!  She can say so many words now, and understands verbal directions nearly perfectly. I sometimes find myself expecting more out of her than her age because of what she understands - Elijah Brooks was very similar at this age. When I have to discipline her, it is typically because she has willfully disobeyed after she knew what was expected of her. Sometimes she just doesn't understand of course - she is just a baby still - but a parent knows their child and knows what they understand/don't understand, and what they are just willfully choosing not to do! She is really learning so much though, and has some good moments of obedience and I am proud of her when she makes the choice to obey. She is proud of herself too. She of course, can be a stinker though...., running away when called, hiding behind the curtains and peeping her little eyes out to see if I know where she is, climbing in the pantry to get to what she wants, throwing a tantrum about getting in the stroller or carseat etc......  Oh, but the joy and laughs she brings to us, make these other things seem so small. We really do laugh ALOT in this house because of what she says, or does. Her facial expressions are priceless and will make us "belly laugh" every time she makes a silly face. She always yells, "YAY" when we get to the park or get to anywhere else she is happy about. She says, "WHOA", when she falls or we go over a bump in the car or stroller. She loves to spin and make herself dizzy and then roll her eyes around and say, "WHOA" or "WOW". She loves shoes, and loves to talk on her play phone, walking around with it up to her ear yelling, "HEHWOOOO".  She thinks she is 5, and will attempt everything the big kids do...., for better or worse!  If she could say it, I think her first words in the morning would be, "world, here I come so get ready"!!! 

Oh sweet baby girl, God knew I needed you and you needed me. Together, and with alot of wisdom from above, we are going to figure out how to do this life. 

I love you, always and forever, 

Mommy