18 months

Teresa turned the big 1-8...in months that is.  A year and a half and busy as can be.  The first word to pop into my head when I think about Teresa is animal. Not that she acts like an animal just that she is an animal lover.  She constantly hounds you to read her Animal Baby magazine.  She is rarely found without some sort of animal in her hand.  She is learning to play pretend with her various animals.  They eat and drink and even talk to Timothy's cars.  She has an eye for animals and can spot pictures of them just about anywhere! 

Her language is still a bit sparse.  Dog of course is a favorite word.  She has learned 'again' which is helpful when reading a book over and over.  She can say hug, up, and Da.  Teresa can add a baa at the end of Baa Baa Black Sheep. Although she may not speak many words, she certainly understands lots!  I have commented to Troy that it was time for Teresa's "nighttime beverage of choice" and she knows we are talking about her night-night milk!

Her speed is picking up and soon she will be running.  She likes to climb up on the couch and copy all the things Timothy does. Today, at gym class, she really got into walking on the balance beam--with help! Teresa likes to copy actions to finger plays too.

She has some definite opinions now.  She does not like putting her coat on.  She protests loudly when Timothy takes a toy away.  She will not eat vegetables or anything that cannot easily be identified as familiar.  She likes books with animals.

She can be shy around people--often times men.  Although it appears that she will tolerate anyone if they read animal books to her.  Her poor Uncle Jeff has been trying to win his way into her heart and right now animal books are the key to getting close.  Stop reading and she is done with him!

We look forward to all the days ahead and learning more and more about our precious little girl.  Here are a few 18 month pictures...

Showing off her horse.

Timothy wanted in on the pictures.

Hugging her horse.