18 Month Stats

Abigail had her 18 month well check today.  The doctor noted that she looks "perfect" and was pleased with her development. 

The pediatrician gave us the go-ahead to give her Miralax regularly due to some occasional issues.  He also suggested that we wean her from her pacifier within the next few months.  She only gets a pacifier when she's sleeping and we had already discussed weaning her from it soon. 

Current Stats:
24lb 1 oz
32.5 inches

18 Months!

~Abigail's expressive language continues to blossom!  She is saying new words often and her pronunciation is improving.  Everything sweet is called a "cookie".  She loves "bubbles".  Any bread, especially if you are putting it in the toaster is a "waf-fle".  She says "bee-boo" for Peek-A-Boo.  She'll extend her arms and state "a-du" (All done) when finished with a meal.  Abigail will state "Hot!" when we're cooking at the stove and enjoys wearing her "hat".  She's standing up for herself and will state "Mine!" when her brother attempt to take a toy from her. She's making more animals noses, including "hop hop" for rabbits and "woof woof" for dogs.
~She continues to improve her interest in books.  She will often bring us a book to read. Current favorites include books with "babies", dogs and Bubble Guppies (Guppa guppa).
~She's doing a great job of feeding herself with utensils, including spearing bites with a fork and scooping with a spoon.  She enjoys wiping her face and high chair tray with a paper towel.  She's a fairly good eater and is becoming more tolerant of different fruits and veggies.  Abby prefers to eat her food just like her brothers, rather than cut into bites.  She definitely has a sweet tooth.
~Abigail is entering a Mommy-itis stage.  She prefers to be held and put to bed by Mommy.
~She is quite the climber!  She enjoys crawling onto objects, including toy bins, recliners and dining room table chairs.
~Abigail is in the beginning stages of pretend play.  She likes to get and serve us beverages from the play kitchen or play food sets, give us bites of food while stating "yum-yum" or "yummy", brush our hair and walk around with her purse on her shoulder and a phone by her ear!
~Just like Brennan and Gavin, she's going to be a great big sibling!  She loves to point out "babies" and is very affectionate to her baby dolls.

17 Months!

~Little Miss Independent prefers to feed herself rather than be feed.  She does a pretty good job!  She'll repeat "Mommy!" when wanting help with scooping food, but then wants to do the rest herself.
~Her language skills continue to blossom.  She's added many words, including "wa-wal" (waffle), "cook-cook" (cookie), "dis" (this), "Hi", "Yeah", "Ni Ni"and "Daddy".  She consistently says "Hi!" when entering a room/someone enters a room, "Bise!" after exiting the bathroom post-shower and finding Mommy/Daddy, "Guppa guppa" when she sees Bubble Guppies books/characters, and "Daaa-da" when she sees a dog.  Several people on several occasions have commented that it sounds as though she is saying longer phrases at appropriate times.  She's definitely a talker!  Her receptive language is flourishing, too, as she seems to understand many things that are said to her.
~Abigail can jump and twirl.  She's found the joy in climbing, especially now that she can get herself down by crawling backwards.
~She loves to be out and about. She'll bring us her shoes if she hears that we are going somewhere or that someone is leaving.
~She's learning more noises of animals and objects.  While not always consistent, she'll "vroom" for cars/vehicles, "choo choo" for trains, smack her lips together for a fish, "baaa" for sheep, and make a throat gurgle for a bear.  She also has an adorable "Muah" for kisses.
~She's such a happy, giggly gal.  We occasionally refer to her as "Giggles" or "Abba-giggles".  The babysitter frequently comments on her personality, including telling us that she is the happiest baby she's had in 27 years of babysitting!
~She's a great sleeper!  She continues to take 2 naps a day.  She quietly puts herself to sleep and wakes up happy.  The babysitter has commented that when Abigail starts to get tired, she'll wrap a blanket around her shoulders, point to her pacifier on the counter, and after she gets her pacifier, she'll walk into the bedroom.
~When asked, she'll point to her belly, nose and mouth

Fabulous Four!

We're thrilled the announce the upcoming arrival of our latest addition!  Baby Swartz #4 will be joining our family in May, 2016!  We've nicknamed Baby #4 "Encore" -- as in one final, wonderful performance.

Encore at 8 weeks!

While news of Encore was a surprise, it's certainly a welcomed and exciting surprise!  We shared the news with Brennan, Gavin and Abigail as we carved pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns.  Instead of having three pumpkins, we had four -- one for each kid!  They are excited for the arrival of their new brother or sister!

16 Months!

~Abigail is picking up speed every day and is nearly running!  When walking quickly, she does a cute swing of her hips.

~Her expressive babbling continues and she has added more words! She says "Hi" and "Bye bye!" at appropriate times.  She has also added "doggie" and very clearly states "Mommy" and "Dada".  She's been heard to say "Bise!" (Surprise) and "Baby" often, also.  Her receptive language is blossoming, too.

~While she has always enjoyed books, her interest seems to be growing.  She frequently bring us books to read to her and points to pictures to be labeled.  She is most interested in interactive books, including lift-the-flap books and books with textures.

~She does the adorable move of moving backwards while sticking her bottom out while on her way to sit on our laps.

~Abigail continues to adore her brothers and imitates them often, including roaring like lions, jumping (attempting to jump), and running around the room.  She likes to get into their rough-housing, also.  

~Abby enjoys the play kitchen, including taking play food in and out of the microwave/oven compartments.  She puts cups under the faucet and then pretends to take a drink.  Abigail loves "stirring food" with a play utensil and cup/bowl.  Then, she'll come to us and "feed us" with the utensil while repeatedly smacking her lips together.  It's adorable!

~Abigail is taking an interest in dogs.  She'll point them out excitedly and label them.

~She likes to make animal noises when she sees them in pictures, although most animals roar, "Mmmm" or clear their throats.

~She enjoys picking up toys.

~Abigail frequently claps for herself when being praised.

~Our little dancing queen is learning new dance moves.  She moves her hips, stomps her foot, twirls, and side steps with her head on her shoulder. 

15 Months!

~She shakes her head yes and no appropriately to questions.  Her "yes" is more of an upper body nod.
~She says Mama, Daddy, bubble and baby!  When she wants something, she frequently states "Mamama" or "Mamame" while pointing to the object.  The babysitter reports that she clearly says "Logan", the name of the babysitter's son.  She smiles and giggles when we try to get her to say it.  Abby babbles a lot and uses great inflection and a variety of sounds.
~Abigail is the proud owner of her front 8 teeth, 4 molars and 2 top canines.
~She's an eating machine!  She's starting to self-feed with spoons.  She doesn't have a scoop action  mastered, but she's able to get the food.  She has a sweet tooth and gets excited when dessert is offered.
~Abigail loves to climb on Brennan's platform bed.  She also enjoys standing on his bed, making Mommy and Daddy nervous.
~She's showing knowledge of many different routines.  She immediately goes to the basement stairs and starts to climb when she hears the washing machine lid close.  She rubs her hands together when we're putting lotion on our hands.  She goes to the door when told it's time to leave or go outside and will go to her highchair when told it's time to eat.
~Abby is great at following directions! When asked, she puts her clothes in her laundry basket and will deliver items to people.  She also likes to pick up, including putting toys away and putting her shoes on the shoe mat.
~She makes an adorable pig noise, although it sounds more like a cat clearing a hair ball!

Preschool!

Gavin started preschool today! He is attending Little Blessings in Fremont, Ohio three days a week.  He's going to love school!