18 Months Old

We are now closer to 2 then we are to 1, where has the time gone?  The girls are turning into little people faster and faster these days.  They are adding new words to their vocabulary almost daily.  Chad and I tried to make a list of the words they know, this is what we have so far...

momma dadda baby BB papa hi bye dog cat pig duck boo zoo choo choo thank you & thanks trot trot no uh oh E-I-E-I-O ball lamby & bunny

ouch & owie off on here that tree milk banana book sock shoe oink oink quack quack moo woof night sign for all done sign for more sign for milk sign for eat sign for water shake their heads for yes

They have very unique and strong personalities. 

Madeline is fully in toddler mode, if I see it- it's mine, if I want it- it's mine, if you have it- it's mine.  She loves to trade Emma for what ever she has even if it is identical to hers.  She is still a big reader, reading books to herself or making mommy and daddy read her books all day long.  She will chase me around with a book until I stop and read it to her, usually at least three times.  At home she is very independent.  She will go off into the living room by herself and play quietly.  But out in public she is stuck to my side.  It takes her a while to warm up to new environments but after a while she is pretty good.  She has really sped up on her feet, it won't be long until I have a hard time catching her.  Madeline is a very intense and focused little girl.  She will work on something until she gets it, usually with her tongue sticking out or gets frustrated and screams.  She gets so busy in her little world that she could go days without eating, I have to tell her when it is time to eat.  She loves music! She dances and plays with all of her instruments throughout the day.  She has just mastered the slide and will now go flying down it faster than anything.  She loves my camera, I can't get any pictures of her because as soon as I pull it out she wants to see the "babies" on the screen.  She also loves anything that is electronic, cell phones, laptops, and ipods.  Her laugh is still one of my favorite sounds especially when she is playing and laughing at her sister. Lamby is her life line, without it she is lost. 

Madeline making music with her xylophone.

Emma is also in full toddler mode, mommy can't be out of sight and no one is as good as mommy (mommy is tired).  She wants everything she can't have and screams if Madeline comes near her to steal her toy. Although, when Madi does her funny trading thing, Emma is very easy going and has no problem trading her fork for Madi's fork; hey a fork is a fork.  At home Emma loves to be in my arms or on my lap, I don't get much done but love the affection.  But unlike Madi, Emma loves to run off and explore in public.  The minute we get to a new environment, Emma is ready to go see the world.  She is also getting faster and faster and I am starting to have a hard time catching her.  She is very physical, loves to run and jump.  Still a jumping bean. A few weeks ago I noticed a screw had come loose on her crib because of her jumping.  This has encouraged me to start the transition into toddler beds next week.  I don't need her crib falling apart with her in it.  Plus it sounds like she is going to come through the ceiling any minute. She loves to jump on the bean bags nana got them for Christmas or rock as hard as she can in the rocking chair.  She has also picked up on her sister's love of books.  She will sit in the "cove" and read out loud.  Although, more than books she loves telephones, real ones, fake ones, or anything she can hold up to the side of her head and pretend is a phone.  She jibber jabbers around sometimes using her shoulder to hold it in place so her hands are free.  My goodness they really do pick up on everything. She even uses voice inflections as if she is really having a conversation.  She loves her slide and any thing she can pretend is a slide even the emergency room bed.  At play grounds she has no fear going down some very large slides.

 

Emma hitting the slide.

Other favorite past times for both of them are playing peek-a-boo, bath time, being chased by Daddy,their very special bedtime routine with Daddy and taking Papi for walks and looking at the trees.  Bedtime is a long process of stories, hugs, kisses, and high fives with Daddy.  When he is out of town, I try to make up for it, but don't even come close.  In the car they will play peek-a-boo back and forth with each other, pulling their blankets over their heads or putting their hands over their eyes.  At bath time, they run to the bathroom and can't get in fast enough, thinking it is the greatest thing to splash and pour water on themselves.  They are also both using forks and spoons to feed themselves, albeit very messy it is nice. 

I still am unable to put into words how absolutely blessed I am to have twins (and an amazing husband who helps out so much).  For all the tough times, there are ten times the good times.  The last 18 months, although busy and tiring have been amazing!

Happy half birthday girls! I love you more than you will ever know.

We have our 18 month appointment on Thursday so I will post their stats then. My prediction is that Emma is 21 lbs and Madi 19 lbs.