18 months

Yesterday, our little Buggins turned 18 months old. We thought she might be entering her terrible twos early, since she'd been extra ornery during (expected) and long after our trip. But in the past few days, she's cooled her heels considerably and been more or less back to her usual sweetie-bug self.

What can we say about her? She loves baby dolls, carting them around, giving them smooches and "pats". She's at the hoarding stage, using containers of any sort to cart whatever will fit. She plays well with her older siblings, as long as they're not taking any of Mom's or Dad's attention (For the record, unless she's tired, she couldn't care less about our cuddles or hugs unless her siblings show an interest. She likes to know we're available to her at all times.) When she's tired, she'll collapse into a limp little finger-sucking heap on the floor and ask to go "nigh nigh" as long as she has her "Gigy" (her soft white blanket with satin edges). I've never seen a child suck a finger the way she does, her thumb stuck between her pointer and middle fingers (think "I got your nose!") Like Iris, she never misses a snack opportunity and (unlike Iris) doesn't care much for vegetables, but that girl loves meat of all kinds. Especially "Hot" (dogs). To her, nothing is much better than "Ou'side," where she runs all over the place with a big smile on her face. She enjoys playing with shoes, anyone's shoes- especially boots- putting them on and wearing them around the house. She adores being read to and has a vaster vocabulary than I think any of the others did at this age (not that the others didn't talk a lot). She loves baths, sippy cups, giving my belly kisses, and telling Kitty, while wagging her finger, "No no, Kitty!!!"

You're a blessing who has brought so much joy, laughter, and love to our family, Opal Therese. We love you, heaps!!