'Round here

Alexis-

You're 14.5 months old now, and I just wanted to record a little bit about you these days. And what fun (and tiring) days they've been. You continue to keep us on our toes, and we alternate from laughing with you and at you to shaking our fingers and our heads.

What a little ham you are turning into. You seem to love people, and new faces don't phase you. In fact, after first sizing it up, you usually walk right on over to a new face, with your little chuckle and your arms outstretched - happy for the attention. You are in a very big "man" phase, but you're not picky and just seem happy to meet new friends (male and female, young and old, human and four legged). Lately, you can be found tugging at hair, glasses and noses, examining shiny jewelry first with your hands, then with your mouth. And when it comes to body parts, you now know where your head, nose and belly are, and you've started pulling your own hair (which is really coming in now!)

Giving a little love to family friend Dave

and we can't forget your gym buddy Tyler

You willingly hand out hugs, and you love to play peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake. You are becoming a bookworm, especially for those with animals. You've even started to sit and "read" some of your favorite books to yourself. And, no playtime is complete without a trip down the slide, a spin in your Cozy Coupe and a jump into your ball pit.

Your daily "doggie briefing" 

Thanks Jen, for the official Future President onesie 

sent straight from the White House!

The curious (and a little bit mischevious) side we see more of each day reminds your mommy a lot of herself as a little girl. We love the self confidence that you seem to have, no matter the setting, and while it's tiring to have you testing us, it's great to see that you are a determined little girl. You have become an adventurer now that you're officially walking (and walking well), and we've had to step up our game with baby-proofing, boundary setting and attempts at teaching table manners. Luckily, you know when your curious side is bordering on "naughty" and will look back at us to gauge our reaction - little stinker.

We've had family, friends and even complete strangers comment about how vocal you are. We think that once you truly begin talking, you're never going to stop. You make sounds, imitate our sounds, and try oh-so-hard to speak. Your vocabulary right now includes mama, dada, baba (which to you means - cup, juice, milk and food - anything that goes in your tummy!), bye bye (you just started to say this as you leave a room or start climbing up the stairs), and you have the "d" part down pat for dog and duck. You say your own version of baby doll and Elmo and give both hugs whenever you see them.  And while you cannot actually say many words yet, you know what so many mean. You clearly understand a lot of what we're saying, and you can follow simple instructions.

Cause and effect actions delight you right now, and you love throwing Mr. Owl, your stuffed animals and even your socks over the side of the crib and watching to see where they land...then calling out to make sure we come in and give them back to you (and repeat, and repeat). This same game entertains you in your high chair - where your sippy cup and leftover food are never safe from going overboard. Bath time begins with you tossing all your toys into the tub, and games with discoveries to figure out (puzzles, the ring toss, shape sorters, a wooden train with rings to stack, and putting all your toys BACK INTO buckets - hurray) are your current favorite. Alexis, you're our little engineer at work.

Now that you're walking all over the house, you sometimes go "missing" for a minute. You love climbing and squeezing yourself into tight spaces, corners, into the pantry and onto side tables/end tables. Once you get into these spots, you often can't get back out. So we come rescue you and are rewarded with hugs and kisses.

So there you have it. You're 14.5 months old now, and you know what...it's our very favorite stage yet!