Emma - almost 18 months old

I think each time I write about how much Emma has grown I always say it happens so quickly...well, it does. Just in the past 3 months she's doing so many new things and it always surprises me at how abrupt these new discoveries make them selves known to us. Emma now puts the deodorant stick in her arm pits (cap on of course), files her nails, puts keys into locks, puts clothes in the washer, dryer and our favorite - climbs in the dryer to help pull them out, pretends to shave her face with Troy's electric shaver, puts her stuffed animals "night-night" and tries to help me potty by getting the toilet paper and flushing the toilet.

She talks so much now too. She tells us when she is thirsty and if she wants milk or juice or when she prefers a snack. When she falls or drops something she says "ah, man" and when she doesn't like how her friends treat her she sways her finger and sternly says "no, no, not nice."

I'm not sure if Troy's new work schedule has made her extra clingy to me, but lately Emma has become my little mini-me. She follows me around like my shadow and anytime we get ready to go anywhere she asks "uh, mommy?" to make sure I'll be coming along. These days there are two things Emma doesn't do much without....her mommy and her blanket. Sometimes it's not even sufficient to be next to me - she literaly has to be right on top of me, even in the bathroom.