Gemma is 15 months old today! She was not cooperative 1 minute of her photo session with me today. We have a pile of blurry pictures if anyone would like to see them. Just ask.

The details:
Gemma is wearing 18-24 month clothes and some 2t.
She wears size 4 diapers.
We are down to one looooong nap a day.  This transition was difficult and I felt like throwing in the towel on multiple occasions.  I'd like to tell you that I didn't because I am a patient and kind Mama.  However, I wasn't sure how to go backwards once we pushed forwards, so ahead we went.  In hindsight, it all worked out fine.  

In the last several weeks, Gemma has fully weaned and is now drinking whole milk from her sippy cup like a champ. I'm a little sad, but also ready to move on. 

Gemma loves to eat! Any time someone goes to the kitchen, she will appear moments later with her pudgy hand outstretched for some of whatever you are having. She is a huge nuisance in this way, especially at dinnertime.  If we are in there cooking, she is underfoot and demanding food.  If she doesn't get something to eat, she will become louder and louder and put herself directly underfoot.  As a last resort, she will park herself directly in front of the refrigerator so you cannot access the fridge OR get through the walkway to the table.  We probably need to crack down on this bad habit because it is dangerous and not a very efficient way to make dinner.  Will have to squeeze that one in sometime.

She likes mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, noodles, cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, cheese, breads, corn, and she will try anything I put on her try once. She also wants to eat anything you have on your plate. Anything she doesn't like I can usually get her to eat by mixing it in yogurt or applesauce. I don't love the idea of strawberry yogurt with green beans, but she eats it. And she is going to keep eating it until she eats more vegetables on her own. We're working on green beans, carrots and strawberries this way.

Gemma continues do be fearless in all manners until she scares herself. She will climb anything and runs headlong after her siblings. She has tried to run down a slide on more than one occasion as well as attempting to get out of a moving swing.  Surprisingly, she is scared/fascinated when dogs bark.  She will come and find me for some reassurance and a hug while pointing outside.  This wouldn't be a big deal, but we have some neighbors who leave their dogs out most of the day and barking is quite frequent in the neighborhood.  She is learning how to push her bike along with her feet.

The talking is coming along with more words each day. I think I might be the only one who can understand her, but still good progress has been made
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The sleeping has been wonderful as late (which I afraid to talk about too much).*  Gemma sleeps in her own bed from about 8:30-7am and then takes a nap from about 12-3ish most days.  I'm happy about this arrangement and I'm not looking to change it.  Which is why she will probably change it up tomorrow.




*Here is the point where I nodded off and accidentally sent the email I was was writing.  It was halfway complete, which made John crazy.  At his request, I'm back to finish it up.  Here's hoping I can stay awake long enough.