“Time flies.” “They grow up so fast.” “They’ll be off to college before you know it.” These are all typical sayings you hear as a new mom and while they are totally cliché, they are 100% true! While Evelyn is not quite ready for college at 18 months old, she is growing fast and I do feel like I’m always grasping for more time. Time is definitely a hot commodity these days… working full-time, blogging for fun, and most importantly being with my family all could use a little more time. There’s never enough to go around, but making the best of what you have is the way to go. That is what I hope to teach my daughter – to choose happiness and enjoy all the blessings you have at any given moment in time.

SNAPSHOT OF EVELYN AT 18 MONTHS

Things she loves:

• Stuffed animals – Her babies go with her wherever she goes. She typically has an armful of options. Her current favorites are a pillow cow her daddy bought her, a Curious George monkey, and a sweet little baby doll.
• Sofia the First – Pretty much anything having to do with Sofia. If mom has to take a shower without Evelyn trying to climb into the tub, I turn on Sofia and she’s zoned in. Every night before bedtime, I turn on her nightlight which projects an image of Sofia onto the ceiling and Evie says “Ni-Ni” gives her a wave. And, I can’t forget her Sofia figurines – a diaper bag staple for entertaining her on the go.
• Crayons – She loves coloring. Sometimes she chews on them and I have to take them away, but overall, she’s pretty good at using them appropriately, ha! I recently discovered bath tub crayons and those are a big hit!
• Playdough – “Doh,” she says when she sees playdough. Every morning when I drop her off at daycare she goes right for the playdough.

Food she loves:

• Bread – She’s basically a carbatarian. If you put bread in front of her she chooses to eat that first.
• Peas – I’m not sure how many actually end up in her tummy, but she loves to “pop” them on her tray.
• Mandarin Oranges – When I want her to get her vitamins, these are a sure thing.
• Yogurt – She’s great with a spoon and fork, so spooning up yogurt is something she loves to do herself.

Words she’s saying:

• Touchdown! – Daddy taught her this one. She’ll even raise her arms in the air while shouting it out!
• Car – She loves the book Goodnight Construction Site. On the page highlighting the car transporter truck, she likes to point at each one and say “caaaaar”.
• Please – How can you say no when she looks up at you and so adorably says “peeeease” when she wants something?! My heart melts.
• Let it gooo! – Frozen style. She has a microphone that sings Frozen songs and she sings “let it go, let it goooo” into it. I die!
• Shoes – She is obsessed with wearing shoes, no matter who’s they are! Hers, mine, daddy’s… if she sees shoes she wants to wear them. 

Sweet notes:

• She can navigate stairs like a champ. Up or down, away she goes.
• She gives the best bear hugs and once in a while she smacks a kiss on your lips.
• She gives the best side-eye look when she’s not happy with you. She slightly turns her head with her chin pointed down and squints her eyes at you.
• She’s down to one nap during the afternoon. Anywhere from 1 to 3 hours and she’s been sleeping pretty good through the night. Bedtime is at around 7pm and she typically wakes up around 6am. This is an awesome new occurrence because not too long ago she had been waking up once a night wanting a bottle or mom or dad to rock her back to sleep.
• She is the best little dancer. She twirls around and shakes her hips whenever a good song comes on.
• She is still using a bottle (with sippy cups mixed in). She’s never really been a nuk girl, so her bottle is her soother. Whenever there is a bottle in her hand, the other hand is twirling her hair.

What are some things your sweet babies are or were up to at 18 months old?