18 Month Woes

As Alyssa nears her 18 month mark I'm finding myself worried about all the milestones she's due to be hitting.  I remember having some of these concerns with Lynden and I keep telling myself he's exactly where he's suppose to be so I need to stop worrying.

If only that worked.

The big concern I have is her words.  I know 95% of the parents out there are concerned about their toddlers speech and I know that I really shouldn't be worked up over it.

But I am.

I feel like she should be making more sounds than she is.  She says "ba", "ma", and "da".  No "oo" sounds, no "g" sounds, no "p" sounds.  Everything is "dadadada", "bababababa", or "mamamama".  Occasionally I'll get s quick "mo" sound meaning more, but she signs it so she doesn't need to say it. 

And she's singing, a song we know, which is something Lynden didn't do at this stage.  (She sings our alphabet song; well just the "baby, baby, ba, ba, ba").

I find she's finding it easier to copy tones and pitches than actual words.  She can mimic "thank you" with her "ba" sounds by using the same pitch I use, same when she says things like "grandpa" and "bubbles".  I just wish she was using more sounds than she is. 

I remember Lynden didn't say much at this point and by 18 months was saying his 15-18 words, so I keep telling myself that I'll wait it out for the next month and worry then.


However, I do feel Alyssa's communication skills are better than Lynden's were at this point.  She's excellent at letting you know what she wants.  She tells us when she wants her bum changed, when she's hungry, wants a drink, is tired, wants to go outside, just to name a few.

I also feel she understands more than Lynden did at this point.  She understands when you tell her it's bed time, time to brush her teeth, where to put dirty clothes versus dirty diapers, and when it's bathtime.  She knows what to do when you say "on your bum" or "don't touch" or "where's a toy", "down", "up", "kisses", "hugs", and who certain people are. 

I'm also not ready for my baby to become a toddler. 

I'm not ready for the independence (as much as an 18 month old can have).  We're already started the "hold hands or up" when we're out.  She's even trying to do harder things on her own, like climbing (onto our table, which is bar height) and trying to figure out how to put her socks and shoes on. 

With independence comes attitude, which is very quickly followed  by "no" - hey, that might be her first real "o" sound.  As much as I "enjoyed" Lynden's no stage I'm not ready to go into it again, especially since Alyssa is much more head strong than her brother. 

I've started to notice more of a possessive aggression with her.  If Lynden wants a toy she has she's clingy and whiney.  At the park a few weeks ago there was another little boy who wanted to play with the steering wheel.  Anytime he went near it she would run up to it, hit it, and make a loud noise. 

Some of that I have to think is learned from someone who doesn't like to share his toys and as much as we encourage sharing it's not always received with open ears. 

I have just over a month left until my baby girl enters toddler-hood and I'm just not ready. 

My stylish girl

chillin' at the park

enjoying the slide

rockin' the pig tails

enjoying the water park