How I know Tessa is becoming a TODDLER

Even though some of these should make a mom go mad, I love every one. And so far I'm pretty fond of this stage. I love that she's her own little person with her own little personality. I love that she is sweet and playful. I love that she is sassy.  She really makes us laugh every day. At 14 months, these are some sure signs of her approaching toddlerhood...

• She goes limp when she doesn't want to be picked up

• Mitch and I have to read her every book she owns, everyday ("read" is "ee")

• She’s refusing to sign or say “please”

• I found all our canned goods in a box in her closet. Lately everything I can't find is in that box

• She tells me no. She says, “No, no, no” as she looks at me and touches the things she shouldn't. Then when I give her "the look" she comes over to give me a kiss or snuggle

• I caught her putting my iPod into the dryer

• Helping with the dishes is required. We aren't allowed to do the silverware without her

• She hands me clothes that go into the washer

• Getting her diaper changed is torture

• She unfolds all the clothes I fold

• She has to feed herself, or it all goes on the floor

• Outside is her heaven

• She makes the same babble at the end of every prayer, I think it’s supposed to be “Amen!”

• She rummages through my purse or the diaper bag to find snacks, then brings them to me and says “mm-mm-mm”

• She climbs on everything

A few more things about Tessa:

-She named her teddy bears "daddy." Seriously, she says, "Daddy!" when she picks them up and gives them a big hug. And calls their name when they're in the crib without her

-She has to hand us every bear and every blanket in her crib before we can pick her up

-Favorite song: Old McDonald. She sings "e-i-e-i-o"

-She's in the 10th and 20th percentiles for height,weight, and head

-Favorite bear: Purple one from Aunt Kirsten

-She loves to walk backwards and spin in circles

-Her favorite book is "Let's Dance, Little Pookie!" And she dances with us.

-Favorite blanket: Mitch's baby blanket
-She follows dad around everywhere when he's home
-She loooves swimming

-The other morning she found her shadow, she tried to feed it her bottle and talked to it for a good 5 minutes