M at 18 months

2 months is a long time in a toddler's life. This is a little summary of all the great things that have happened here lately!

During the last 2 months, we (her parents) have been working hard doing long hours and she has been in daycare (when she hasn't been sick, that is sadly going on again). Now we are on a week's holiday and enjoying all the time together. I have noticed that it is getting to be much more fun going to places with her. On my days with her, we go to a petting zoo or to a cafe with a children's corner, or to the library. She is a good little companion.

Important events and developmental milestones

- Right now the focus is on her gross motor skills and on enveloping (putting everything in everything) schema.

- M has gotten steadier and steadier on her feet. 1 week short of 18 months, she started running. She loves to be chased and to be the one chasing.

- New words: mämm-mämm (for food), anna (give in Estonian), mama/emme (sometimes in Dutch, sometimes in Estonian), okou (when she or we drop something). And everything is "aua" (Estonian baby language for a dog). She has about 10 words she uses all the time.

- She understands 2- and 3-word commands.

- Dogs are a big interest, so we look at books about dogs, make dog footprints in playdoh and match a puzzle with dogs on it.

- M loves doing everything we are doing. We got her her own little table and chairs and she likes going there and sitting (for about 2 seconds) and then going on.

- She starts getting the dance class for the first time (actually cooperating with the dance moves and instructions), she cleans up the toys during the class.

- She likes picture books with a simple story (e.g. Gruffalo told simpler), but still prefers books where she can do something or where there are only a few photos.

- She got her Christmas gift (a tricycle without pedals) early and is loving it.

Schedule

Her schedule is still the same as in the 16-month post.

Eating

M eats with a fork and spoon, she can drink water from a normal cup holding it herself. She has gotten pickier with food though and she seems to be having a hard time not being able to tell us what she wants exactly. We still struggle with offering her dinner early when we haven't had a chance to cook yet (=leftovers, bread, pasta, sweet potato cooked very quickly).

Her favourite foods are all the berries, pasta, sweet potato, avocado with ricotta cheese, banana, apple, kiwi, grapes.

Challenges

- Potty training hasn't been going on at all lately after she was sick at the end of August. We need a good reset and then start again.

- More set eating times and no snacks in between for the sake of teeth.

- Managing adequate parenting with the same norms applied by two parents with a busy schedule.

- Dealing with my own expectations and mom guilt is still a very real challenge.