21 Months

Today Lyla turned 21 months. I just can't believe how fast the time is going. (I also can't believe how on top of it I am to do this post in a timely manner).

So here is what Lyla is up to. She is continuing with playing make believe. She loves to play with her baby dolls, her kitchen, and her toys. She also loves to do whatever mommy is doing. She'll sit on the counter and put her make up on while I'm doing mine. In fact, she likes to be where ever I am. Which can be bothersome when I just want to walk into the kitchen or bathroom without a shadow, but then I remind myself that soon enough she won't want to follow me around anymore and I will miss it.

Lyla has had more opportunities to play with friends and I think that is helping with her socialization. She has been giving hugs to other kids her age. It's just so darn cute.

Lyla is starting to put phrases together. Some of her new words and phrases:

- A mess!
- Here it is.
- Guy Guy's house
- Go bye bye
- ammies (jammies)
- cookies and keys (which sounds very similar to kitty-kitty)
- bla (rock)
- blub u (love you)
- poopies and peepees. She is also telling us when she has either so we can change her diaper. I guess we are getting closer to potty training.
- And the most important new word is Mimi. For ever Lyla has refused to call my mom by anything. She knows where Grammy is, but not say her name. We tried Gigi, and while she would say Gigi, she wouldn't connect my mom as Gigi. Then for a few weeks she started calling my mom Mama. Which bothered me a little (hello, I am the only mama) but it also got confusing when we were in the same room. I figured that the Gr was what was giving Lyla a hard time, so I took out the G. I had her say Rammy. She did that and eventually started saying Mimi. I'm not sure yet whether we are going to change my mom's grandma name to Mimi or just ride it out until Lyla can say Mimi. I guess it's up to my mom.

The hardest thing is Lyla's defiance. She is starting the "terrible two's" and it's very trying for me. We are being told "no" a lot as well as running away and flat out not doing what she is asked. I think it's time to start upping the discipline. I know it will be tough, but it will be worth it end. The best thing is that as soon as I feel like I am at my wits end Lyla will crawl up in my lap or doing something sweet that reminds me she is still a good girl.

My favorite times are in the mornings when Lyla just wakes up and we cuddle on the couch watching Elmo. I'm not a fan of Elmo, but I love the sweet moments we have before she takes off running for the day. Our night time routine is also something special that I love. We say our prayers, rock and then I sing to her while I rub her tummy until she tells me "bye bye". However, we are also starting to have some night time issues where Lyla will then start screaming for mommy and crying in bed. It's such a hard thing because it's hard to determine whether I should go in or let her cry it out. I mean I don't want her to get use to me or Andy going in every time she cries, but I also want her to know that we are here for her. We usually give her some time and if she doesn't calm down then we go in. Usually it just takes another belly rub and then she's fine. Again, this won't last forever. Someday she won't need me.


I still can't believe that in 3 months I will have a 2 year old.