One & One Half

Happy half-birthday to our sweet Tess! She has changed so much these past few weeks. Tess is picking up new words more quickly now--she learns new words every day.

Ry & I have been keeping a running list on the fridge of words she says. Right now she has about 40 words in her vocabulary:

Mom, Mama, Dad, Dada, up, bubble, in, cheese, Elmo, Big Bird, Cook[ie Monster], bye, goodbye, broccoli, fry, book, stinkerpot, hat, eye, Deez (Jesus), amen, hi, baby, ball, Papa, ap[ple], dip, star, spider, bum, [ba]nana, bot[tle], ba[th], waf[fle], [l]ight, ice [cream], bike, socks, shoes, "T," "S"

There are many more words she understands, but doesn't articulate herself.

So much for my dramatic build-up to her first week in Nursery. Today was Stake Conference--so no Nursery until next week. Ry & I took turns running laps with Tess in the hall during Conference today. It was like a party with so many kids in the hallway! She was loving it.

I talked Nana into giving Tess her first haircut this past week. It was long in the back and still shorter on the sides. I just wanted to even it out, so it can all grow at the same rate. I didn't have the heart to trim those little curls myself. Nana did a good job, but I miss the curls. Hopefully it won't take her as long to grow them out again!

And the answer to the eternal question: "Is Tess walking yet?"

I think these count as real steps. We are still having her assessed this week to make sure she doesn't need some extra walking help. She's getting there, though!

Finally, for posterity's sake, here is a list of Tess' favorite things at age 18 months:

• Walking & running with her walker
• Riding her ride-on firetruck
• Going to the playground
• Being around other kids
• Books; reading books in our bed before bedtime
• Smoothies
  
• Walking around the church and pointing out all the pictures of Jesus
• Watching Sesame Street
• All things "Elmo"
• Going to the library
• Snuggling with Mom on the couch
  
• Watching video or looking at pictures of herself
• Riding in the "car" cart at the grocery store
• Popsicles
  
• Talking to Dad
• Visiting Nana & Papa's house
• Mom's cell phone
• Pulling out drawers
• Playing on the deck
• Making Mom & Dad laugh
  
• Ride-on cars at the mall
  
• Water fountains
  
• Her bottle (I still can't make a clean break!)
• Her shoes
• Puppies & kitties
• Laughing & telling jokes
• Curious George
  
• Being outside
• Playing with Mom's makeup
• Brushing her teeth
• Cars & trucks
• Eating & drinking anything Dad is eating & drinking
  
• Bubbles
• Talking to Dipsy on the phone
  
• Pens (writing with them & carrying them around)
• Tearing Mom's wallet apart
• Playing & flouncing in blankets
• Music & dancing
• Going for walks outside
• Sniffing flowers
• Climbing
  
• Pretend sleeping
• Vegetables