Valerie 18 Months Old

The past few months Valerie has been VERY BUSY exploring her Independence. She is full of personality and I love seeing it blossom. Even when it means I am helping her clean up the box of cereal she just dumped all over the floor.


It is hard to believe Valerie is already 18 months old. Time seems to be flying by and she changes so fast. I wanted to write a few things down before she moves on and I forget. I love this age. Everyday is filled with cute and funny things Valerie says and does as she learns new things and realizes new adventures.

Valerie is very talkative, and is always talking or singing as she plays. She is getting really good at communicating and seems to be learning new words everyday. It is fun to listen to what she has to say and learn how she is seeing her world.

The other morning I woke Joe up for school, but he did not get out of bed. So I went back in his room and told him a second time to get up. He still did not get up, so the third time I yelled for Joe to get up. It worked, and Joe started getting ready for school. When Ryan came out from getting ready for work Valerie ran up to him and said, "Dada, Joe nigh nigh, Mom Roar" (growling like a lion)

She learned the word "no" pretty early and was not afraid to use it. She used it for many things but the best example is when we would tell her it was time for bed she would tell us "no". So we would say "Yes" Then she would say yes back to us and we put her to bed. So now when we tell her it is time for bed she says, "No Yes"

Valerie wants to be part of the group, so she is always trying to do what her brothers are doing, and sometimes she wants to do what I am doing. The other day most of us were reading books, and all of the sudden Valerie came up to me and said "I need a book." so we got one and read it together. Now if I try to sneak in a few minutes of personal reading, Valerie is right there asking for a book too.

Valerie loves music, singing, and dancing. She will always join you in a game of patty cake, and she LOVES Ring Around the Rosie's. She goes around the house singing "Ashes Ashes Fall down."

She loves people to sing to her, but beware if you do. Ryan's mom found herself singing to Valerie for a long time the other day while she happily danced to the music. Grandma didn't mind though, and before long we all joined in the singing.

I have written before that Valerie is very interested in her fashion. This has not changed, and Valerie has become even more involved in her clothing. Not only has she started to choose her clothes she tries to dress herself too. Unfortunately if she were to go out in public in some of her ensembles she might find herself on "The People Of Wal-Mart" website.

She is pretty good about letting me put clothes on her that match, but every now and then she decides she does not like her outfit and puts on something she does like. Laundry day is the most fun. While I sort the laundry into piles Valerie is busy trying on her brothers clothes.

Valerie likes to look pretty and that also means that I get to do her hair. After years of wrestling with Emily to even get a brush through her hair, it is so fun to have a girl who will sit and let me play. She will even let me use a round brush and blow dryer. Just recently she has started pulling the elastics out after she leaves the bathroom, so at this point I usually just curl her hair, but even that is fun.

The most important part of any of Valerie's outfits are the shoes. Valerie LOVES shoes. If she finds a pair of shoe she puts them on. She has her favorites, but sometimes any shoes will do. In the morning when everyone is getting ready for school and work Valerie hurries and gets her shoes so she can go too. I don't have to worry about loosing a shoe while we are out either, because if one falls off of her foot she yells out "Shoe,Shoe!" I also have to be careful not to walk past shoe departments in the stores . If Valerie sees shoes she has to put them on.

Grandma gave her a beautiful pair of sparkly shoes for Christmas. She loves wearing them and showing them to everyone.

Valerie is a very good helper. When I ask her to put her toys away she says "K" and does it. She also really likes to put everyone's shoes away in their closets. She always wants to be in the middle of the party and if the party is picking up she wants to do it too. She doesn't seem to notice that the boys are crying while they pick up.

For Christmas Valerie got a little baby doll in her stocking. She was really excited to have a baby doll and named her baby Nigh Nigh. When it is time for Valerie to take a nap or go to bed, Nigh nigh goes too.

Valerie lays in her crib and gives her baby a bottle and then they take their nap together. If I had known how much easier it was going to be to get Valerie down for a nap with Nigh Nigh I would have welcomed her into the family a lot earlier. I guess Valerie didn't want to be the only one who had to go to bed.

One of Valerie's biggest talents right now is the ability to climb. This is not my favorite talent and we are very luck to not have had any falls or broken bones. At first she just climbed on the couch. Then she graduated to the table, and now that she has figured out how to use the step stools to get on the big stools, well..................

She climbs on everything now. I try to remember not to leave anything of interest on the counter. That way she might not be tempted, but I usually find her on top of the counter at least once a day. Especially if it is lunch time and I am not getting the food to her fast enough.

It is so fun to watch Valerie grow and learn. While she keeps me pretty busy these days, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love watching her discover new things and getting loves and kisses from her while we play. I love you Valerie!