15 Months Old posted late

Stella,

Another month has passed and you're another month older. I can't believe what a big girl you are now. You're a little better at listening this month than last, but are still a little wild woman. You are following simple directions more consistently and respond better when we tell you "no". You're repeating a lot but so much is jibber jabber that it's hard to decipher the real words in there. I need to get a video of your "talking" because it's so cute and nearly constant. You have a LOT to say! Your sleeping hasn't improved a ton this month although you had ONE night where you slept all night long and I even had to wake you to nurse before I had to leave that morning. You generally are up once a night, but some nights are worse than others. I was convinced you were cutting your canines on the top earlier this month and then they went away and your crankiness improved, without any new teeth. My new thing is worrying about your bottom tooth. You have 3/4 of your bottom teeth and I recently learned your Aunt Charlotte also doesn't have that tooth. So now I'll worry until it appears...or not. You are going through a huge mama phase and cry a lot of the times I pass you off to others, even Daddy. I had to stop dropping you in the childcare area at the YMCA because they would come get me since you were crying so much. It's a bummer, but I'm hoping a little time will solve that problem and we can try again. Your eating is hit or miss and you still love meat. You love dairy although it definitely makes your reflux worse. With your cold we actually had to increase your reflux meds this month because you seemed uncomfortable a lot and weren't eating as well. You are down to one nap a day and usually nap at the same time as your sisters. You nap anywhere from 2-3 hours most days and I love that down time when everyone is sleeping. It's so nice when the house is so quiet, although it never seems to last long enough. You have such a big personality and add so much to our family. I just love you little Stella.

crazy girl

Looking at the trees at the tree farm

The only Santa she would go near

Not so sure about him...

Accidental twinning with Mama

Christmas Eve 

She wanted to carry her stocking just like her sisters did. 

More twinning 

I'll jump on any breastfeeding bandwagon. These pics were going around social media so I made one for us too. 

Stella is a Year Old!!

I I can't believe my little baby is a year old. She's such a little toddler already with the biggest personality stuffed into a tiny little body. She's fully mobile and so good at walking. I'm convinced she thinks she's a triplet with her sisters. She has no idea she's the "baby".

Climbing to the top of the big slide, just like her sisters. 

Splash pad fun 

New teeth!

first pony ride

Cake on her actual birthday. 

Birthday nap

Stella,

You're getting so big and smart! You are walking all over the place and have such great balance. You love doing "laps" around the house with your sisters and giggling with them. You're using the signs "more, all done, please, eat, milk" and say "dada, mama, doggie, woof". You're understanding so much and starting to follow simple directions. You don't sit long for anything except eating. You just love food and eating. You usually eat more than your sisters at most meals. Your favorite things to eat are mandarin oranges, grapes, and you love pretty much any and all meat. You are so different from your sisters in so many ways at this age. You love, love, love those big sisters of yours. You and Lucy have such a nice bond and will hold hands and snuggle all the time. You still love pulling hair and think it's so funny. It doesn't help that Clara also thinks it's funny. You love the dogs and will pet them and snuggle with them often. Togie (our big dog) is so tolerant of you and she's just so sweet and gentle with you. You're still nursing about 5 times a day but have been biting me a lot. Sometimes it's related to teething. Other times it's just becuase you're being a little stinker! Either way, it hurts like crazy! I've been telling you no, but I'm hoping it stops soon. It's honestly driving me a little crazy and making nursing less enjoyable. You love your bath but are such a wild child it's stressful worrying about you falling face first into the water. You also like to try to drink the water whenever possible. The sleeping is okay but not great. Your napping has finally taken a turn for the better and I love that you nap most days at the same time as your sisters. It's so nice to have a little break and some down time during the day. Night time is still not great. Depending on the night, you're usually up 2-5 times. Teething doesn't do good things for your sleep. You're finally decided your lovey is a good thing to snuggle with, but when you wake at night you want to nurse in order to go back to sleep. We try not to have you in our bed because you don't sleep as well that way. Most times, Daddy puts you back in your crib after you finished eating. You're so outgoing and happy and love meeting new people and going places. Last week at music class you spent almost the whole time walking around and checking out the other people. You're so social and rarely act shy or overwhelmed by people. Having twin big sisters must have something to do with that. You have starting dancing to music and think you can jump on the trampoline. You climb up there and bounce up and down while standing up. You love being able to roam around and do you own thing, but boy do you get upset when we go against that. If we try to take away something you aren't supposed to have or move you from climbing on things or the stairs you get so upset. We recently did family pictures and you were so mad when I wouldn't let you walk into the lake. It's funny at times but can be exaspering as well. You definietly are a girl that knows what she wants! Your play skills still aren't great because you're just so busy trying to be active and three. You follow your sisters and love the play kitchen, but have just started to do in and out type play. You don't really like to sit and play with things for long. If you can carry things around you're much happier. We got you a doll stroller for your birthday and you picked out a soft pink puppy stuffed animal. We celebrated your birthday by going out to dinner and then had a fiesta themed birthday party for yo that weekend. It was so much fun and you're didn't blink an eye at all of those people. You're such a sweet and fun little girl and I can't imagine this crazy life without you in it! 

11 Months Old

Stella,

I can't believe you're 11 months old already. Time is going so fast and it makes me so emotional to think about your first birthday. I can't believe it's been nearly a year since your birth. It's amazing to me how much you have grown and changed in this year. From a squishy little blob, to a walking and talking little girl who is full of personality and spunk. You started walking and taking a single step here and there a little before the start of the month, and then really put steps together the day after your turned eleven months old. You're saying words like doggy, uh-oh, and daddy all spontaneously and with intention. You follow simple directions some of the time, but are understanding so much. You want so badly to keep up with your sisters and will tag right along with most things they do. I'm pretty sure you're convinced you're their triplet. You've finally stopped putting everything into your mouth automatically and we can somewhat trust you in the sandbox. You love playing with the play kitchen and making a mess and have just started in and out type play. we saw the GI Dr about the potato vomiting incidents and he wasn't thrilled with your weight. He wanted me to push more pureed foods and try to add more fat to your diet. I swear, you eat just about anything and everything. I think it's your constant motion that burns so many calories. You love most foods but aren't super impressed by purees. You're finally napping more consistently and falling asleep without us having to rock you. Really pushing a "lovey" on you and encouraging you to snuggle that made a world of difference. Rather than rocking or nursing you to sleep, gently putting you down, and sneaking out of the room we are putting you down drowsy but awake and you generally roll over and snuggle your lovey before falling asleep. I wish you were sleeping through the night, but you still wake two times on average for milk. You're like Lucy in that you rarely wake in a smiley and good mood. You need some time to be grumpy and wake up. You've decided you will no longer keep headbands or bows on your head and rip them off immediately. You don't like to be told "no" or when your sisters take things away from you and you'll get very upset and cry. 

I just can't believe how soon you will be a one year old. You're definitely not my snuggly little baby any more and it makes your mama sad to see how fast you are growing. I can't wait to see all that you will do and see, but I wish it would happen at a slower rate. I think I'd keep you little forever if I could. I love you so big little girl!

Trashing her play kitchen. Always a favorite activity. 

Standing independently 

Waiting to see the pediatrician 

She looked in the mirror and said, "Teta"/Stella

Stuck in the trunk 

When your outfit matches your bed....

Sleeping with her "lovey"

Trying chocolate milk at the state fair 

So much love from her sisters