Almost 22 months...already!

Wow! Charli is such an amazing little girl. She has such a BIG personality and is so happy. She lights up any room. She is so smart and her motor skills are through the roof. She loves to say" hello" and "good bye" to every person she sees, everywhere we go! Although she is well aware people are strangers and can give a good stink eye before she warms up, once she starts to say "hello" and "goodbye" she doesn't stop. She is very task-oriented and loves to clean up. She will take whatever you ask to the garbage and knows when things are "dirty."

She likes to sit in the big girl chairs rather than her chair when she eats because she is so independent. She is a terrific eater when it comes to vegetables (especially anything green like edamame, green beans, broccoli, asparagus) but has no interest in bread or sweets, except animal crackers. She is a big milk, water, and juice drinker and will tell you which one she would like.

She loves her books that are interactive-- meaning one butterfly will disappear on the next page or you can pull down a tab and something else will appear. She also loves to organize her books and carry them around. The funny thing about Charli is she likes to carry a lot of things at one time and makes sure they are organized to do so. She is incredible at flash cards and with animal sounds, she has such a mature memory and it is crazy how she can manipulate an Ipad or Iphone. She is very good at meowing and roaring when she sees a cat or lion! She is very much in to puzzles, more making a mess then putting all the pieces back together.

She is very talkative and communicates very well. Especially when she wants to brush her teeth more than 3 times a day and when she wants to eat pretzels! She is now into telling us she will "be right back," pointing her finger at us, taking a few steps away, and doing it again. She has completely copied this behavior from Grandma and she does the same thing to her dolls. She tells them she will be right back and walks a few steps turns around and makes sure they are there and then does it again. It is too funny! She really loves her dolls and carries them like babies and tucks them in for ni-night. She also gives them kisses, she is very motherly. Her security item it a winnie the pooh blanket, her "blankey" as she refers to it, the one thing she does not want to be without.

She sleeps in our bed. (I know bad habit, but oh well) she lets us know when its time for night night , she points where we need to go and then places her left hand on Dan's head and right on mine lays back and smiles. Come on, it is adorable!!!! She also knows when we move throughout the night or try to get up in the morning, she is instantly up and makes sure we are still there. She is like a guard dog. By the way we now have two dollies or her "babies" that sleep with us too. She unwinds by talking in gibberish saying ni-ni and she is out.

Speaking of dogs, she is in love with Reilly. We went on vacation and all she kept saying was Reilly. Reilly is not exactly reciprocating of Charli's interest but I'm sure when she can start taking her on walks that will all change. Speaking of vacation, Charli's first encounter with sand and the ocean brought tears and of all words, "dirty!" It was priceless, America's most beautiful white power sand and when she touched it she said "dirty" and wanted "up." It actually didn't take long for her to then adjust and start playing in the sand, but she may prefer the pool! She is definitely Daddy's girl, and speaking of that she is in love with Daddy. I am sure it is her favorite word!!!

Charli loves to give kisses and when she gives them, she gives them to everyone in the room. Lately she pushes Dan and my head together to kiss and then just smiles! Quite the match maker!

Let's talk about being tough and strong. A few months back Beth called Dan and I at work in a panic. There was something wrong with Charli's arm, Dan immediately flew over there calling the Doctor on the way. Her elbow had dislocated, which we found out is very common and called nurse-maids elbow. In all the years Beth has watched kids and having her 6 kids grow up this was not something she knew about nor did I. Dan and Beth were guided by the Dr. on how to pop it back in and sure enough Charli was better in a matter of minutes, kids are unbelievable and in her case remarkable!

Charli likes to dress herself and is quite picky with her clothes and shoes. For Christmas she picked out 2 dresses at the store and threw them in the cart, one In which I went back and returned. She likes to put on her own shoes and socks and is able to figure out when they are on the wrong feet and then takes them off and put them on correctly. However when it comes to her hair she likes to pull it out of her face rather than have it clipped or tied back. This can make for some fussy moments or quick distractions to pull it back, which takes us to the words "no" and "mine" which is where we currently are. We have established time out which she will go in when she has done something wrong and when the minute is up she says sorry and gives hugs. She has manipulated that system with fake crying. I mean this kid is made for TV or the movies, as well as giving a hug right after she has done something wrong. I ask her if she will be in TV or movies and she says "movies." She puts on her sunglasses and she is a star. Quite the entertainer with her dancing as well!

We were at dinner the other night and asked the boy next to us how old her was which he replied by holding up 4 fingers and mumbling "four." His parents asked Charli how old she is which she held up five fingers and said "five!" It was hilarious. We are getting there with numbers and the alphabet but she always likes to throw in the curve ball she is already telling Grandma she is two.

She has a bunch of teeth but they have just not made it in a row but they keep on popping up! She is never grumpy so when she is we know teeth or something might be coming on and will ask her if she needs medicine and sure enough she will let you know. This is the same with poopies she will let you know and then run to her room for a change. I think potty training is on the horizon.

She is just so helpful and wants to be involved from washing her blanket, to unloading the dishwasher, to organizing her toys, talking on the phone, feeding the dogs, cleaning with a towel---did I mention she was cleaning the lounge chairs at the beach with a baby wipe! She was very helpful putting up the Christmas tree and all the ornaments, her fine motor skills are just amazing. Charli is jsut so busy and so energetic and happy. I am truly amazed by how bright and beautiful she is I can't even imagine all the future has in store. Our Assistant Principal said, "Her name will be all over the mar key I can already see it."

I love you my beautiful little monka -mooka -tucka rocka!