Maren: 18 months

Maren is 18 months old, and full of personality.  She is a roller coaster of emotions, but lately has been pouty most often.  Her entire physique changes when she doesn't get her way: slumped shoulders, protruding lip, bowed head, sad eyes, and a slow, pathetic walk to a corner where she lets out a disappointed, "Ohhh..."  It happens so often that it has become our little joke to see how quickly I can get her to giggle or smile again.  She also has a quick temper, and will scream at Ezra so intensely that he sometimes comes running--with real fear for his well being--from "the dragon" (ie, Maren).  We have already had to train Maren to take a deep breath, which she will do if prompted, to try and calm her body.  Most of the time, after a big deep breath and a hug, the anger is quelled.  I am not sure if this is a toddler girl in a stage, or if we have a serious drama queen on our hands.  Ezra never had great pout shows or screaming tantrums, but then again, he didn't have an older sibling who was a constant tease.  I guess if being a mother was an easy job, I might get bored.  It isn't easy, and most days we ride the roller coaster of getting in fights, and remembering to love one another. 

Maren is creative in her use of words, and for the time being, doesn't seem interested in increasing her vocabulary.  Last month, her most commonly used phrase was "da-bab-ba-dee", which covered everything she didn't know how to say.  It was the mommy guessing game as to what her catch-all phrase was trying to communicate on any given day.  She has given up on that mouthful, and just points now, which is more efficient and less frustrating for both of us.  She does use other catch-all phrases, such as "mo-du-why", which means "more (fill in the blank)".  At bedtime, when she and I snuggle, she requests songs by saying, "ba-ba-bobby".  That word used to mean she wanted me to sing "Ba Ba Black Sheep", but now just means she wants music.  We play another mommy-Maren guessing game; I sing a few measures, and if it is not to her particular fancy, she lets me know right away.  "No, no no!" she will say, and then I try again until I find a favorite.

Maren can also be intensely sympathetic and compassionate.  She is deeply concerned about Ezra when he cries; she rushes to his side, or scurries off in search of Bear, or gives him hugs and pats.  She adores her daddy, and screams in delights, and melts into uncontrollable giggles when the garage door opens, signaling that daddy is home from work.  Maren is also very aware of our family unit and seems most at ease when we are all together at home.  If Ezra, for example, gets up to use the bathroom during dinner, she often dissolves into tears, but then immediately composes herself when he returns.  When Ezra goes to preschool, Maren usually wanders the house aimlessly, and asks every 10 minutes or so about her brother, "Ez-er-ra?"

Maren loves bouncy balls, nesting cups, beads, "me-me" (Minnie Mouse), and her babies.  She also has a few favorite matchbox cars that Ezra has loaned her.  She enjoys the book There's A Nightmare in My Closet, mostly because she loves to share her super-dramatic scared face when the nightmare comes out of the closet.  Silly girl!  Maren is also in love with baby oranges (cuties, clementines, Halos), and she will eat as many as I am willing to peel.

Oh, and drawing!  She loves to draw.  She sometimes uses drawing as a stall tactic at naps and bedtime!  Maren doesn't have very many words, but "draw" is one of them.  The trouble with her great interest in drawing is the markers, pens, pencils, and crayons end up on paper...and everywhere else.  She has a great desire to make marks, but not a great understanding of the appropriate bounds to her artistic endeavors.  Let's just say she has blue pouty lips a lot.  (Yes, I need a picture of that.) 

At her recent check-up she was in the 93% for height, and with her quantity of hair, could easily pass for a 2-year old.  She transitioned beautifully into nursery; she practically takes herself in and hardly looks back at us.  Awesome! 

  

Dancing in the empty bathtub with Ezra: her favorite thing!