15 Months!

Lyla had her 15-month check-up yesterday. Here's the scoop:

Weight: 26.5 lbs.
Height: 32 in.

You read that right. According to Dr. Dickey, that's about the size of an average 2-year old. Her head measured about the size of an average 3-year old. That's just how smart she is.
She had 2 shots, and although that's less than half of what we're used to, it was probably the worst vaccination session thus far. She's just so much more aware of things... she cried a horrible, traumatized cry. You know, the one where you can't catch your breath - it's not a full cry because you're just so shocked at what's occurred? Yeah, that's the one. It went on for around 5 minutes before Mommy calmed her down via distraction. Hooray for counting on Lily Leap!

We've been keeping busy (aka staying away from our boring, unclean house) mostly by keeping wet. In the last week, we've been to a local water park, Grandma's pool (x4 or 5), a local city pool, and of course, the little pool in the backyard. Lyla is a fan of her-size waterslides and shallow water she can wade in on her own (Miss Independent?).


In our backyard, having fun with the hose.


Chillin' at the local city pool. She's so cool.

Today, we went with Kerry to the Grapevine Botanical Gardens. Lyla loved exploring the beautiful gardens and playing on the playground. She tried to pick a strawberry in the herb garden and delighted in feeding the koi in the pond. We had a picnic lunch in the shade in an attempt to stay cool and Lyla played in the water fountain, ensuring complete clothing saturation.

At the Botanical Gardens:

Our Chatter Box!

I am currently on Luke's computer, which means no access to the pictures and videos that I typically load up. So, this post will have to come to you with - *gasp* - no pictures or video! Tomorrow is Lyla's 15- month checkup, so I will be sure to post again very soon with pictures and everything. I'll need to get my computer hooked up again. In any case, here's out latest news:

A few days ago, I tried to make a list of all the words Lyla knows. I am now wishing I had been keeping a list all along, with dates to document. But hey, I guess I can't keep records of EVERYTHING! The list, which Grandma helped me try and compose, consisted of more than three dozen words. I was shocked! I can't believe how much talking she is doing already. It's got to be one of my favorite things. I get so excited every time she says something knew, or attempts to, even if it sounds completely ridiculous. It's amazing!
Most recently, she is dedicated to labeling all that is "noisy," which sounds more like "ois-chee" with an emphasis on both syllables, because all noisy things are apparently very noisy.

School is out, and we've been trying to think of creative ways to occupy our time so we don't go stir crazy at home. Last week, it rained buckets and Lyla we were couped up inside quite a bit. She also had some yucky virus and was running a fever almost all week - up to around 104 some of the time. Other than the fever and a red throat, she had no other symptoms and she tested negative for Strep. "Just a virus" for Lyla mostly meant continuing baby business as usual with a little added fussiness and occasional lethargy. It was completely heart-breaking and I am definitely not looking forward to future fevers. Yuck.

Perhaps all the extra pampering last week aided her in this discovery, but she has certainly made some strides in typical toddler behavior. She's picking up on whining and carrying on -- verging on throwing fits, but it's more like the dropping to the ground or swinging her feet when she doesn't want to go somewhere - usually "inside" -- so we're doing our best to curb this by ignoring as much as possible. It was hard to be too tough on her when she was under the weather and continuing to teeth. I am pretty sure she's finished cutting all four molars (I don't dare reach in and feel... too risky!) but now she's on to her inscisors. She doesn't seem to mind, though, so I guess we are (and she is) very lucky!

Now that it's nice outside (aka ridiculously hot) we are definitely spending more time in the sun. Over the weekend, we went to NRH2O and yesterday, we visited a local pool for a few hours. She's definitely a water baby. Will have more on that in a future update - one with pictures!