Every so often I just feel like I need to embrace that truly momish side of me that wants to gush all the adorable details of my children’s existence. Today Kaitlyn turns 17 months, so I’m using that as a weak excuse to share with you all the fun going on with my sweet baby girl lately!
So indulge me if you don’t mind? …or click out. I’ll never know!
EAT
I know I’ve shared with you how Kaitlyn’s eating habits differ from her sister’s, but dare I say she’s coming around a bit? She tends to try most anything on her plate, but it doesn’t mean she necessarily eats it. She’ll do the famous “eat olives one day and spit them out the next” that toddlerhood is known for. Still, she seems to be eating larger quantities and varieties lately which I’m excited about.
My secret weapon that pretty much guarantees her to eat anything? KETCHUP. She loves it and will pretty much eat anything if she can dip it in ketchup. I buy the organic kind so does that make it better? Haha. I don’t give it to her at every meal, but when I do pull it out of the fridge, she points furiously to her tray and chants “deh deh” which is her version of “down.”
She won’t let me feed her even a little bit, but I’ll say she has the spoon and fork down pretty well. Her favorite foods at the moment include berries, oatmeal, yogurt, spaghetti, broccoli, applesauce, Bitsy’s Brainfood cookies, hearts of palm, muffins, tomatoes, salsa (mild) and anything I”m eating. Really, she will eat arugula and feta if it comes from my bowl, but put it on her plate? Forget about it!
She doesn’t drink milk, but I am still nursing. Morning and evening. She’s getting the age where I get some uncomfortable looks from people if I mention it, but it really doesn’t bother me. Maybe it’s the last baby thing and I see we are heading in the direction of weaning, but I’m just fine with it. And if I’m being honest it melts my heart when she snuggles up to me after bath, pats my chest and says “mah mah.”
SLEEP
Sleep is good! Kaitlyn goes to bed at 7:00 pm and will sleep until 7:15 am. She takes one nap a day, usually from 1:00 to 3:00, though sometimes she’ll extend it to 3:30.
For naps, I spend a few minutes singing songs with her, then kiss her, give her bunny and say night night. Sometimes she will fuss for a minute, but usually she lays down and goes right to sleep.
Now for the fun…
PLAY!
Kaitlyn keeps me smiling all day long. She is so happy. She is also into everything. She loves to climb and will push chairs over the counter tops to open (and empty) drawers and cabinets.
She plays well independently, but really loves playing with Hailey. I think it’s funny that she loves following Hailey around but can hold her own when Hailey tries to treat her more like a doll than a person. She’s a feisty little thing.
Recently she’s taken a liking to dress up clothes and especially dress up shoes, most likely from watching big sis.
She is talking more and more each day. Some words that come to mind are mama, dada, Hailey (a-ay), water (wawa), bunny (me-e), rock, flower, bubbles (buhbuhs), shoes (shzz), dog (dah), hi, diaper (bahpah), up, bow (boowwww), down, thanks (dayyyy), uh-oh, fish and night night. She very recently started putting words together like hi dada (hiiii dah) and she squeals like a banshee with delight when David or I are gone and then come back. She loves making silly noises with her mouth and saying shhhhh too.
Pretend play is a lot of fun to her and she and Hailey “play doggy” where they both crawl around on all fours and more so yip instead of bark. Kaitlyn thinks this is hilarious. She likes songs and tries to join in (with twinkle twinkle she’ll chat “uppa buh” until the up above line comes around). When we are driving and the song If You’re Happy and You Know It comes on, she’ll shout HOORAY (ayyyy!) on cue and it always cracks me up.
She thinks it’s funny to point out belly buttons (beh-ee-buh) and make people show theirs to her. She doesn’t like being helped and likes to prove she can do things herself.
She is taking swim lessons once a week and LOVES it. She just does not stop grinning the whole time that even when I put her under water she doesn’t close her mouth (or eyes) and just grins, then giggle like crazy when she comes back up. She gets a kick out of blowing bubbles in the pool and bathtub too.
One thing she doesn’t love? Being told no. Even if you say it kindly, she’s not a fan.
She goes to “school” two mornings a week and has a blast. She hasn’t cried once and always seems to be having a good time when I pick her up.
I could go on and on with little facts about my sweet Kaitlyn. If I had to condense it, I would say she is a really happy, adventurous little snuggler. She gives high fives, fists bumps and the most wonderful, biggest hugs. She will wrap her arms around my neck and say “awwwww” — probably because it’s what I say every time she hugs me. I just can’t get enough!
I haven’t gotten a recent weigh in, but she’s a little thing, maybe 19/20 pounds? She just moved up to size 4 diapers, wears 12-18 months clothing and size 4 shoes, which she likes to put on (the wrong feet) by herself.
I know I hide my pride so well, but I love this little girl so much and her big cheesin’ grin never fails to put a smile on my face.
Such a little stinker!!
Ok, did I miss anything? Feel free to ask a question!
Fellow moms, take a minute to brag! What is one thing that you absolutely LOVE about your child?
For fun:
Hailey at 16 Months and Hailey at 17 Months
Or check out all my baby posts and toddler posts!
Have a great weekend!
Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl says
My gosh, that lil pumpkin is a cutie! When I was that age, I would eat only cereal that was stuffed with little pieces of American cheese. y nanny sat and stuffed the Cheerios…that ended when she went on her vacation and my parents figured out the secret and refused to cater to such a child! Of course at 18 months I apparently stood at my closet door and announced that I would not wear jeans. I didn’t for about 8 years!
Brittany Dixon says
I’m dying laughing at the stuffed Cheerios- what an amazing nanny you had!!
sherry says
Love the update on K–she is a cute, fun, spunky one! I do believe you left out a word she says–Nana:)
Brittany Dixon says
How could I forget that one?! When I got her up this morning she was muttering something and I asked her if she was saying Nana. She jumped up and looked around saying Nana? Nana? Must have been looking for you! 🙂
Katie Zell says
She really is just the sweetest thing. Mom-brag all you want, sister…you’re allowed! ?
Brittany Dixon says
Be careful giving me permission like that; I might take it too far 😉 Haha, thanks Katie! How is Kristine doing?!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
She is so cute! Even the crying photo is pretty cute…hahaha Do you see a lot of similarities between her and Hailey at that age? I just checked out Hailey’s 17 month and I think they look so different!
Brittany Dixon says
They are such opposites! Well, as far as I can tell so far. They definitely don’t look alike but so far they usually play together pretty sweetly. Hoping it continues!
Heather says
Such a cute! It’s so fun to watch their personalities form when they’re young. I love watching my 3.5 year old be so serious at times and love watching my almost 2 year old learn new words and get so excited about little things. I definitely treasure all of the snuggles since I know they won’t last forever. 😉
Brittany Dixon says
Isn’t it crazy how much faster it goes once you have more than one child? I feel like H’s first year went by so much more slowly, and now time is flying. Like you, I’ll take all the snuggles I can get!
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
She is so cute! How is it possible that our babies are getting so big already? I haven’t dared to give Addie a spoon yet, but I know I have to go for it eventually. LOL.
Elizabeth says
I say this all the time, but every time you write about her I feel like you’re writing about my little 20 month old Lana. She’s fiercely independent, spunky, loving and adorable!
But seriously, I can’t believe you still nurse! No judgement here!! Do what you do (I truly mean it)!!! I know it’s a huge commitment on your part (I lasted 11 months with my son & 6 months with my daughter). It was one of the biggest struggles I had but I also had to pump at work which SUCKED literally & figuratively. It’s more convenient when you’re with them but a lot of work when you’re away.
I love your blog : ) Have a great Friday & weekend!
Brittany Dixon says
Hey girl! Wish we lived closer so we could get our two feisty girls together for a play date 🙂
Yes, I’m such a sucker for nursing (no pun intended). I just love it, BUT (huge but) I was fortunate that it came rather easily to me and if I had to pump on the regular, there is no telling how it would of gone. I despised the pump and give moms who pump regularly HUGE kudos, so good for you!
Kate says
Ahh, she’s so adorable!
It’s so great to see a little preview of what’s to come…
I love when my little guy (at almost 10 months) gets excited about something and starts jumping up and down, waving and clapping – just pure joy!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh the clapping!! It’s just the cutest thing ever isn’t it?! Each stage has such awesome advancements. I always feel so fortunate to have a front row seat!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
She is so cute!
Haha, she knows 😉 ketchup makes EVERYTHING better!
Lia says
i love that you’re still nursing her. I think twice a day morning and night is awesome. I’d love to do something similar once my little one is over a year. I’ve really enjoyed our nursing ratio ship so far. She just turned 6 months and seems so big already!!
Tanya says
How did you do milk while you and David were out of town? I have thought about nursing Ru longer and she does take an occasional bottle just fine, but I guess I just thought once she was older she wouldn’t want the bottle or would understand the difference more (an emotional attachment versus a nutritional one…IDK?) so I was just wondering if she cares when you are not there to nurse at night or in the morning? We know of one trip already where we will be leaving both girls (WAHHH!) and am already stressing about this…In October of next year! I know I’m crazy but just curious.
Brittany Dixon says
I took forever trying to figure out how to handle this trip. Originally I thought we’d be weaned but then it made me sad to stop just for a weekend trip. I had experimented with K enough to know she wasn’t reliant on me to fall asleep and she eats enough food for nutrition, so she did just fine without me (though my mom said she kept pulling on her shirt and patting her chest saying mama- haha!).
Honestly the only downside was that I had to bring along the dreaded pump and pump twice just to stay comfortable.
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
She is such a cutie! Happy 17 months to her!
Josephine says
Lovely post, I enjoyed reading it, what a cutie!
Edye says
Oh my goodness little Kaitlyn is so cute! I’ve been following your blog for months and cannot believe she is almost 1 and 1/2 years old 🙂