The 18 Month Mark

...giggles and belly laughs (music to my ears), hugs, kisses, tickle monster, reading, splashing, running, climbing, talking, playing, baby dolls and strollers, swimming, dancing, play dates with friends...these are the things that come to mind when I think about Lauren Margaret at 18 months...what a fun age! I think the most exciting development I've noticed with LM this past month or so is how much her little personality is flourishing. She spends most of her day playing with her baby dolls, reading her little books, or playing with her toys. She holds and feeds the babies, takes them on walks, hugs, and kisses them...she's runs around and squeals with her little friends...Lately, I find myself just sitting back and watching her...watching her as she's playing with her friends or playing with her toys...watching as she goes about her day. I love how she's so happy and seems to be so content...now she does have her moments (like EVERY DAY around 5:00pm - ya know "that" time, moms?), but for the most part this is true. It makes my heart happy...makes me feel like we must be doing something right for her to seem so happy. As busy as life can get, and with all the things that fill our days, I encourage you to sit back and just watch from afar and notice the simple pleasures these little ones soak up each day...not worrying about what THEY ARE or AREN'T doing or what we ARE or AREN'T doing enough of, etc...you know, all the things parents think about...it makes me realize that loving them is really the best thing we can do for our children. I love this little girl so much it hurts sometimes...in a good way...know that feeling? I came across this poem the other day and I think it really sums up a mother's love...no matter the age of your child...

i carry your heart with me, (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
-Edward Estlin Cummings

Happy 18 month birthday, Baby Girl!

Thought I'd post some iPhone pics from this past month. They aren't always the best quality pics, but they are the "action" shots...the everyday things that fill our days....

Being silly with Avery at dinner


enjoying ice cream on a Sunday afternoon

In her party dress on her way to a friend's birthday celebration


Post bday party with Twinkie all over her face...not the best car snack, but fun nonetheless


Having fun at gymnastics at the YMCA! Gotta get that energy out one way or another...seems to be working pretty well!

Still haven't snapped a picture of her on top of the dining room table...hanging from the chandelier....you think I'm kidding...I'm not! Did I mention she's a climber?? Ahh...the joys of being 18 months old!