18 Months!

Lily is having so much fun as a toddler! She's becoming faster and more sure-footed by the day. She's growing like a weed, too -- literally. Just a few weeks ago she could close the upper door of the TV cabinet with an inch to spare between the top of her head and the door. Now, there's barely a millimeter to spare. She's starting to get that long, lanky look that signals the final passage out of babyhood. She babbles up a storm. Well, ok, she yells a lot. She barks long, detailed commands at the cat and at Daddy that are rambling soliloquies of highly intonated gibberish. I'm quite sure she knows exactly what she's saying. Mommy and Daddy still have a bit of a learning curve to overcome, however.

Here's some more of what the girl has been up to lately:


Lily has developed a thing for bling, in the form of Mom's new shades.


Workin' it!


Lily is learning the important womanly art of accessorizing. She has a few shiny Mardi Gras necklaces that she loves to wear, and lately she's taken to walking around the house with these large padded rings as bracelets. Unlike this time last year, Lily can now put the bracelets on and arrange them just so, all by herself.


Lily's most favorite toy. E-V-E-R.


The girl's getting pretty handy with a variety of utensils. Here she shows off her chopstick prowess.