17 Months Old

[I started this post on August 6 and am just now finishing it on the 19th! Kara’s changes have been so subtle this month, so it’s been hard to explain them, but there has been so much learning and growing.]

Wow, I didn’t realize until just now that Kara is 17 months old today. Yet another month has flown by because this little girl is so busy learning and moving and doing. At 17 months, Kara…

…has a few extra teeth. She won’t let me count them. She does, however, love brushing them! It’s the only way I can get her out of the bath tub. I also think she is in a constant state of teething.

…has really started communicating this month. I think I say that every month. She tries so many words now, I can’t keep up. When I ask her how we ask for help, she says, “please!” She picks up my phone and says, “cheese!” I can ask her what she wants and she’ll tell me. If I don’t understand I’ll ask a couple of things and she’ll smile when I get it right.

…Often throughout the day, she’ll go through her list of favorite people. I like the way she looks down, like she’s looking over glasses at me, and moves her hands expressively with each name.  😆
…started stacking and building, so she loves her blocks. And dumping them out.
…has figured out her klip klops. It’s cute watching her tap them with one finger to make them go and she gets so excited.
…has really gotten into movie watching (especially “Rella” and Frozen), to my dismay. I think I’ve created a bad habit, but I’m trying to break it. It will probably be helpful when Christa comes though, so I’m not too worried at this point.
…has been a little clingy to Mommy. She’s had a little separation anxiety this month and doesn’t smile at strangers quite as often.
…absolutely loves babies. I feel like I’m repeating myself every month (I should probably go back and check.) She rocks and kisses her babies, tucks them in, puts them to bed, feeds them snacks, strolls them around, puts them in the infant swing, and has to sleep with at least 2.
…puckers her lips and gives the sweetest kisses when you ask (and she’s in the right mood).
…tries really hard to dress herself.
…can climb onto and off of most couches and chairs now. Uh oh!
…has two new favorite animals: horses and gorillas.
…loves to go go go and do do do. She is a busy bee!
…likes to be tickled and will walk up to us kind of sideways to get more tickles.
…has been sleeping about 11-11 1/2 hours at night, with a 1-1 1/2 hour nap most days. I think the teething is making her naps short, so I’m hoping they get longer as she grows those teeth in. She is definitely an early riser, I think we can officially say that. I’m happy if she sleeps until 7. 🙂
…if we ask her where Christa is, she will pat my belly. Although, she did pat Collin’s belly once when we asked her…
…likes to sniff candles.
…loves her new puppy friend, Edison.
…finally holds our hand when we ask her. 😍

There is so much more I’m missing and wish I could remember to say. It’s so amazing just to watch her grow.