17 on the 17th

Today Anna is 17-months-old and sporting 10 teeth (the 10th just made its debut this week). Yes, yes, as you'd expect this cliche first-time parent still, I can hardly believe my baby is getting so big--less baby and more big girl every day. Lord help me when I'm typing she's 17 on the 17th!

What's she doing new?

We've decided the best word to describe her at this stage is "demonstrative." And I don't necessarily mean that in a negative sense. :-) She's able to express herself--whether happy, frustrated, mad--better every day. Anna absolutely understands everything you say.

Pretend play is now a daily happening--and I LOVE that! With me, she's really into making her babies have an "uh-oh," i.e. a baby stroller crash, being slung from her arms, etc. And then she rushes over, says "uh-oh" (a phrase we're working on mastering), and then hugs and cuddles with the best comfort you've ever seen. Two minutes later? The whole thing is reenacted. Of course, sometimes the injuries are so severe, a trip to mom for cuddles and kisses are needed. She'll stand there until I'm done with her most concerned face. Too funny.

Anna loves riding any elevator . . . like I cannot explain how much.

She's also a good helper. Any time I use the hand-held vacuum, she MUST get a turn. And the swiffer mop is a favorite. Her sweet, little heart is desperately wanting the strength to be able to use the big vacuum, but that's too heavy at this point. 

Anna still loves music. She still loves food. She still loves "Jesus," her stuffed lamb that plays "Jesus Loves Me."

Below are pictures I took last month, when she was a mere 16 months old. It is a perfect demonstration of how difficult it is to get a good pic of her because she wants the camera so. 

A little snotty. :-) Poor thing does struggle with allergies.

This pose and face is something I see often. Love her.

Fussing caught on camera. To all those nursery workers, see she does fuss.