I haven't shared an update on Lilah since she was 12 months old, so I thought it was about time I did! Lilah turned 18 months old on the 14th July, and has honestly grown and changed so much in just those 6 months. She is well into toddlerhood now, and those baby days are far behind us!

I haven't had Lilah weighed for a long time now, but she is fitting nicely into 12-18 month clothing, and slowly transitioning over to 18-24 months bits and bobs. She has super long legs, the most gorgeous chub rolls on her arms, and super squishy cheeks. There's just something about the squishy-ness of a toddler that I just love (and wish they never lost). She's got size 5F feet and 17 teeth, meaning just 3 more molars to go until she's got her full set. Woohoo!

Her daily routine is pretty much the same as when she was 12 months, except we have now gone down to one long nap instead of two. She'll have her lunch and then snuggle up with her muzzy and dummy for roughly 2 hours - all dependent on whether I have to do the school run or not. She feeds herself really well now and absolutely loves her food, although she is starting to become a lot fussier with what she does and doesn't like, which can make meal times interesting. 

Lilah's cheeky personality is shining brighter than ever now, and we're always complimented on how happy and smiley she is. She is very independent and loves to join in with the big two as well, which was make me incredibly nervous! She climbs everything, loves to sit at the big table and will give everything a go (even if she's far too little to do it). I always say she's the perfect mixture of Indie and Parker; she's amazing at independent play and loves her toys, but she's also got a stubborn and mischievous side too. The terrible two tantrums have already started too, and my goodness does she mean it when she's in a mood!

Another big development we've noticed over the last few months is Lilah's speech. It's as if she woke up one day and something clicked, and now she's learning a new word each day. She can say: mummy, daddy, nanny, Indie, Parker, cat, doggy, duck, mine, no, yes, hi / hello , bye, ta, down, door, cuddle, eyes, nose, hair, socks, shoes, juice, one, two, hat, baby, book, milk, uh-oh, yuck, and cheese. It's incredible watching her learn and understand even more as each day passes. And even though she is our third baby, it still amazes me how incredible our children are.

She loves to play with her cuddly toys and baby dolls, reading books, playing with the cat, climbing, In the Night Garden and Bing, eating apples, water play, and being just like her big brother and sister. She doesn't like her pram so much at the moment, brushing her teeth, not getting her on way or being left out. 

I have loved watching Lilah grow and change over these last few months, and I really cannot wait to see what's next over the next few years. It does make me sad that she's now closer to being 2 than being a baby, but I'm also so excited to see what's to come. Roll on toddlerhood!

Parker at 2 1/2 Years Old

I used to love write monthly updates about my littles, but of course as they got older these got less and less. So I thought as Parker is now over 2 1/2, it was time to share a little update on him! He has changed so much since his second birthday. He's definitely more of a little boy now than a toddler, not only in his looks but with his development and personality too.

Parker talks constantly, and there's only a few words that we struggle to understand now. He can have full conversations with you, and boy can he argue! He's definitely picked up some cheeky phrases from his big sister, and we're currently well into the 'why?' stage. He is still incredibly shy when it comes to strangers talking to him though. He can be chatting away and then as soon as someone talks (or sometimes just looks at him), he shuts down and hides away.

Development wise he's coming on in leaps and bounds. He can now count up to 15, and thanks to the help of his big sister, he is really trying with his alphabet and shapes. At the start of January we enrolled him at the same Preschool as Indiana, for a couple of mornings a week. I was worried he'd feel a little lost, as he's never really spent time apart from myself or Jack. But he absolutely loves going! He's settled in so well, and you wouldn't think he was one of the younger ones there.

Another big milestone for Parker, is that we have taken him out of nappies. We completely followed his lead with potty training, and he has taken to it really well. He started at the beginning of December just before Lilah was born, and I will say we have noticed a regression since she arrived. We're still persevering though as he's doing so well in general, I just hope he settles back into it a bit more now Lilah isn't so new.

Parker still has his cheeky personality, and my goodness have we been experiencing the 'terrible twos' in full force. We thought he was bad before his second birthday, but he has really taken things to the next level over the last few months. Not listening, doing 'naughty' things on purpose, annoying his sister... the list is endless! He is generally such a sweet little boy though, and loves nothing more than cuddles and kisses - especially with his sisters.

Parker loves to sing and dance, preschool, running wild and free, being silly with daddy, allllll the food, and being a new big brother!

Parker hates sitting still, being out in the cold (he's not loving this winter weather at all!), talking to people he doesn't know and being told what to do...

Parker's 23 Month Update

I'm in complete denial that our beautiful baby boy is turning two in just a few weeks time. Just where has this year gone? On the other hand though, I do often forget that Parker isn't a lot older. That he's really still very young, especially compared to his big sister who he completely idolises.

Parker now speaks in sentences a lot of the time, and has amazing knowledge and understanding. He can ask (it's more demand.. but the manners are getting there) when he wants food or a drink for example. And if his drink is empty, he'll tell us and ask for more.

I love that we can communicate with him so well, however it's not always such a good thing. Because he knows what words mean, he'll happily use them. If we pick him up for a cuddle and he isn't feeling it he'll shout "stop it daddy/mummy, put me down!" - which is both hilarious and bloody cheeky!

Parker is so different when it comes to development in comparison to Indiana. He's always been more active and prefers being outside doing things (climbing, jumping.. being adventurous), whereas Indie was always more into learning.

He does sit and play a lot more than he used to, but toys and books don't keep him amused for very long before he's off to the next activity. He is slowly becoming interested in colours and numbers though, so I'm not at all worried. And honestly it's just as lovely to watch him explore and grow! He's happiest when running free so I have to make sure I get him out and about at least once a day, to burn off some of his energy.

Speaking of energy, he's getting plenty of that! Parker has been absolutely loving food this month, and eats basically everything we give him. He's still an absolute pasta monster, which is fine by me as I sneak in so many veggies this way.

This month Parker is loving playing in the garden, buses / lorries / diggers, ice lollies, Ben & Holly, cuddles in mummy and daddy's bed and all the food!

This month Parker is hating spiders (if he sees one he squishes it!), nappy changes, not going in the bus - he gets seriously jealous if you go on one without him!, and lay ins!

I cannot believe the next update I'll be writing on him will be his TWO YEAR update. The end of the monthly updates, and the progression into full-on toddlerhood... I'm not ready!

Parker's 21 Month Update

I'm honestly struggling to get my head around the fact our beautiful baby boy is now 21 months old. Just 3 more months until we're celebrating his second birthday! It's mad. And I don't like it. Can't he stay little forever? Well, still little, but maybe not so defiant and mischievous. 

I've seen a huge change in Parker this month. He's always been so daring and unafraid of doing anything. But suddenly he's becoming a lot more cautious. Not really in regards to physical things - if anything he's climbing / jumping / etc even more...

But when it comes to other people (and even family members can fall into this), he almost seems afraid. He ran off to hide himself completely when someone spoke to him in Mothercare today, despite me being right next to him. And will burry his head into my legs if someone speaks to him on the preschool run.

In general though he's turning into such a little character! Constantly chatting away, and always listening to / watching what's going on. He will try to copy words if you ask him too, and is always coming out with things I never knew he understood. His sentences are improving too - although I'd be happy if he just stuck with 'I love you mummy' which he loves to shout at me constantly.

Parker really does understand much more than you'd think. He knows when daddy picks up his bag to leave, he's off to work. He knows when we're dropping Indie off at school. And can associate different places with different things - for example when we walk through town, he knows which toy is the toy shop and drags us in there, and he knows the route to our house (but usually runs past giggling anyway!).

He loves to sing and whenever he hears music it's like his little body can't control itself, and he has to start dancing. Having a big sister has definitely been a huge influence on him too, as he loves to dress up in her fairy costumes, have his nails painted, and basically be just like Indie!

This month Parker has loved running wild and free and exploring on holiday, trains / buses / anything that moves basically, watching our neighbours cat out the window, Peppa Pig, stealing apples out of the fruit bowl and eating the entire thing, his new digger pjs (I thought he was going to cry when I got him dressed this morning!), and daddy feeding him.

This month Parker has hated teeth brushing, being told off (especially by daddy), dressed up characters at Butlin's - he was physically shaking when he saw Bonny Bear, Indie being back at preschool, and wearing socks.. for some reason he always takes them off when we're at home!

Parker's 17 Month Update

These days, I'm actually finding it hard to believe Parker is only 17 months old. Having a big sister has made him grow and develop so much quicker.

He's full of energy, full of words and full of cheekiness!

I've seen a huge change in Parker this month too. He's still an absolute nightmare in the pushchair - if I go out in the mornings without him having a nap, he turns into a little monster. But walking wise he's getting sooo much better.

He'll happily walk along holding hands, something that I would have never have even considered a few weeks ago. He lifts his chubby little hand to mine for me to hold and just stomps along beside me. It's made the preschool run so easy as I can just walk along with one in each hand. It's pretty cute too!

His understanding grows each day too. He understands simple commands and tasks. If I mention going out he runs to grab his shoes and coat, he helps tidy up and at bedtime he waits in the kitchen for you to make his milk. He waves and shouts bye bye to everyone - if we leave a shop or a programme on tv finishes, and loves to shut the door when people leave the house (although he has a habit of doing it before they've finished saying bye).

Although the development we see in him is amazing, it's not without the negatives. This month has mostly been dominated by the (thankfully) final leap. Refusing food, not sleeping, being very clingy and generally a bit of a whinge bag. I think we're nearing the end of the tunnel though as he's definitely becoming brighter - he's eating and sleeping again anyway!

New words this month include: snow, rain, coat, hat, baby, cuddle, kiss, nose, socks, dinosaur, car, La La (he loves the Teletubbies), wee wee, down, play and he called Father Christmas "ho ho".

In just a few weeks time I'll have an 18 month old... where did the time go! Looking back over pictures from his first birthday I cannot believe how much he's changed already. He's waaaay too grown up.