Another month has gone by

Today is Charlotte's 19 month birthday!  I can't believe how fast the time between 18 months and 19 months has passed!  That being said, it's been a VERY BIG month for Charlotte Lee!

This month she started using some small sentences, "Bess You Momma", "Tank Oo", "Mo Mo _____" (More More fill-in-the-blank with crackers, milk, juice, you name it), and "No Momma No" being some of them.  As you can see we've started to enter a little more independence this month also!  She is demonstrating her independence in some ways that are fun (for instance, yesterday she insisted on wearing her "back" (black) shoes intsead of her "Melmo" slippers when she got up from her nap) and others that aren't as fun (whining when we refuse to watch more Sesame Street or don't give her more crakers come to mind from today).  But all in all she's still a happy little girl who loves getting out and seeing new things and is starting to really enjoy playing with her friends.

Charlotte has also started some serious imaginary play this month by laying her animals/nativity pieces/herself down and then telling us that they have gone "Night Night".  She has also gotten the hang of pretend eating and drinking and has started following our examples with her kitchen and new tea set.  It is fun to see her start play acting like a big girl!

I ditched the whole potty training idea when she continued to adamantly tell me no when I asked her if she wanted to sit on the potty but for the last three days she's come to me and told me when she's gone to the bathroom (either one!) so that's a big step forward in my book!  We probably won't 100% be potty trained until the summer and we don't have to worry about school for a little while but maybe she'll be ready in a few months to start trying seriously.

We have had a number of colds in the past few months and especially the past month.  I know it comes with the territory with being in something like Mother's Morning Out and the church nursery but Charlotte has, thankfully, handled it remarkebly well.  However, she has now had a cold/sinus/yucky cough since last Wednesday and the doctor finally wanted to see us today so we've got an appointment to get her checked out this afternoon.  I'm praying that nothing's wrong and we can get her well by Christmas and also that this appointment is less scream-filled than the 18 month checkup!  The good news is is that Charlotte doesn't act sick except maybe being a little more still and wanting more snuggle time.  Since she's not typically a snuggler I'll take what I can get and find the silver lining!

I've got to post pictures (and hopefully video!) from our first Christmas with Jason's family last weekend.  Suffice it to say that Charlotte had a blast and is LOVING her new kitchen.  As long as she's feeling ok Christmas this year looks to be a whole lot of fun with a toddler who is all about new toys!