I’m treated to fantastic dance parties on a regular basis from both kids.

Not to brag, but in a Baby Center email, it said toddlers may start to dance by 18 months old. Anthea got her groove on well before she was a year old, and now she’s moved on to more complicated moves such as spinning and stomping. Next step, moon walk and electric slide. 

“Mommy, say ‘cheese’ with me!”

In other news, Rosemary calls us Mommy and Daddy now, instead of Mama/Dada. Unless she’s yelling, then it’s just “MOOOM!!”

Anthea is 13.5 months old, and it’s been the best month yet. She’s turning into such a cool little person. Though she has a fierce little temper and gets mad when you try to redirect her or take something away she’s not supposed to have. I can’t believe we were here not that long ago. It seems like I was just holding a newborn.

She talks all the time, non-stop babble that mimics the tone of our voices. She can also use a number of real words properly. Mama, Dada, Hi, Bye, Mmmm, and maybe a few more that I can’t think of.

She’s started sleeping better the past month. She still wakes once or twice a night. But, now, I can nurse her and lay her back down and she’ll go to sleep without endless rocking. I used to have to rock and nurse her until she was completely asleep, and it would take hours. I didn’t do sleep training. She suddenly just seemed to be uncomfortable being rocked and held that long. I laid her down and she fussed for 60 seconds and fell asleep one night. She sleeps with her bunny lovey, and in her sleepsack, and is a pretty comfy little girl. She is down to one nap now, which has been a slow change. She now naps from about 12:30 to 3. Which overlaps with Rosemary and is bliss for me!

Suddenly, Anthea’s slimmed out and her baby-chunk seems to be disappearing. She still walks with that toddler bow-legged sweetness, and she can almost flat-out run. She’s learned to navigate hills, small steps, and obstacles at the playground. She can walk over sticks, pinecones, and on a variety of surfaces with no problems. She can also stand from a sitting position with ease. It’s amazing how far she has come in a month. She’s very physically capable, and can even properly climb off the sofa and beds.

She loves goldfish crackers and strawberries macaroni and cheese, and has stopped eating much else. Ha. Teething really bothers her, and on some days, she relies on nursing and whole cow’s milk for most of her fill of calories. Her absolute favorite food is Chipotle beans and rice and guac. She inhales it when we go. She also likes bites of almond croissants and other “adult” foods, that you wouldn’t think a toddler would eat. We’ve offered her some bites of sweets, like ice cream, and she totally balks. I’m curious to see how her tastes evolve.

She loves to cuddle up and sit on my lap, and had had her fair share of clingy days lately. Rosemary was never able to sit still for cuddles, so I’m enjoying my Anthea snuggling while it lasts!

Anthea loves her dada and will run to the door yelling “Dada” and flapping her arms when he gets home. She also loves climbing in the cozy coupe, and has started getting more elaborate with her play—She puts lids on things, puts her toys in the doll stroller and pushes it, puts the princesses in the Little People castle, and tries to mimic most things her sister does. She also loves being outside, especially slides and swinging. She spends a lot of time trying to get into the shoe closet, and opening cupboards and dragging stuff out. Especially open cereal boxes. She still likes it when we watch Toy Story, and has a special penchant for Minnie Mouse.

I don’t know where my little baby went. But I’m loving this kid who’s rapidly replacing her. It’s so fun spending my days chasing this girl. I can’t wait to see where those pink-shoe’d feet take us. 

To infinity and beyond! We swing Buzz-style sometimes.

The Easter bunny brought Anthea a combination of her two favorite things: Minnie Mouse and bunnies. And, it smells like marshmallows.

I think she was pretty happy with it. And her Minnie Mouse socks.

Rosemary got a Jasmine doll, and they also got plastic jewelry, books, some candy and goodies from Cici and Tompaw. And Brave on Blu-Ray and some toys from Grandma Jane and Papa Dan.

Best of all, we spent the day outside. First at the zoo with family, where Rosemary proclaimed all of the snakes “cute” and sang Hakuna Matada at the warthog. Then in our backyard, where we barbecued this evening. Last night, we colored eggs, and since they’d been sitting out so long, we thought best not to eat those particular ones. Rosemary spent a good chunk of time “taking care of em” outside, making them a nest in a frisbee, etc. the important thing to know is there were broken eggs everywhere, including one Anthea stepped on. And so far, they are sleeping pretty soundly.

Hopping down the bunny trail…

Can’t wait for the kids to wake up! Easter baskets, yo!

Trees can be castles when you’re this age.

We are spending a lot of time outdoors. The weather isn’t as drearily wet, and Anthea is a skilled little walker now. She traipses over pine cones and rocks, steady and quick to catch her sister.

They both are so much happier and easier once they’ve had some fresh air. An hour at the playground means better eating and sleeping and more cooperation out of both kids.

Sometimes it takes a lot of mental stamina for me to survive an outdoor adventure with two very headstrong explorers that I have to watch carefully. I let them spread their wings, climb, run, jump, go down the big slides, and boost them onto climbing equipment. But my heart is in my throat with every bound they take. Rosemary is very physically agile, and also fearless. “Don’t go too far from me, stay where I can catch you, wait for me.” But sometimes she just pretends to snooze on a mossy tree trunk.

But it’s amazing to be present in their discovery. It’s going to be a good spring.

Well, I’m starting to get tired of the bathroom step-stool that both kids have access to. I found this in our downstairs bathroom after we put them to bed.

On the other hand, Rosemary’s treatment of the Little Mermaid is actually quite considerate. We also have the human Ariel Little People figure, and she’s happily in the castle with Eric and the other fin-less princesses.