Eighteen months

Our little girl is a year and a half year old, and to celebrate she has started to talk in two and three word phrases or sentences. It is so hilarious to have your little one holler out "MUM" (no mama or mummy here)and then run up to you exclaiming "dirty hands! dirty hands!" before replying "thankyou" (ta is for babies Mum) when you have remedied the situation.

Add that to the minimum ten or so new words added to the poo monkey's vocabulary each day, her ability to identify over forty items in picture books and puzzle boards and to name and point to at least twenty different body parts on herself and others and I think it is fairly safe to say that we have no problems in the speech and cognitive development department.

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The poo monkey is making slow but steady progress when it comes to gross motor skills- she can blame her genetic heritage for her cerebral rather than sporting prowess- her climbing skills are improving, as is the speed at which she walks and runs. Part of the problem is her Mummy's anxious overprotective tendencies, the poo monkey's complete lack of fear and a ready team of devotees ready to do things for our girl before she even gets the chance to try for herself.

It is in this area that we are seeing a few mini tantrums.....

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Cheeky little miss is still a well rounded girl, weighing in just over 14kgs and therefore off the charts. Hopefully the weight gain will soon come under control with a combination of finally agreeing to mostly feed herself when it comes to using a spoon, using a little table and chairs rather than a high chair (so that little miss can more readily wander off when she has had enough instead of cleaning the bowl), an increased level of physical activity and little miss being able to clearly express "all gone" "all done" and "more".

Can't say we have ever experienced the stock standard toddler fussy feeding habits EVER in this household, in fact it has always been the opposite. One disadvantage of having an early talker are the constant requests for "pikeys (pikelets)! bikkies! cake! (the girl has an exceptional memory, having only ever had a few morsels in her time) cheese! (her favourite food in the world- still)". The advantage of having a great feeder is that you can usually tempt her with healthier options such as fresh fruit or even steamed or baked vegies when she is feeling peckish.

It will all come good. I hope.

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As I type I can see the poo monkey on the monitor, fast asleep in spite of a really dodgy head cold. Copious amounts of the snotty stuff aside, I'd like to finish with something that really sums up why it's all been worthwhile:

The poo monkey now says "Bye bye Mum" and blows me a kiss at bedtime.

Does it get any better than this?