18 months old

At 18 months old,  you are such a smart girl. You can say 4 letter sentences. Your favorite is "could I see that?" "Could I have some" "gimme that" "I love you" "e-I" "Deborah, where are you?" "Potty"

You love playing in the sink with water, always try to "wash hands" so you can play in the water. You love Popsicles, being outside, walking, the stridor bike, being with Eli and Deborah, my gym, daddy, feeding patches, eating cheese and sticks, and drinking my sparkling waters. 

You are still breastfeeding but we are in the process of weaning you. You still hate goin to bed, when you hear te music on in your room, you run away. You want to go to bed with Deborah and Eli sooo bad but I think you will roll right outta bed with debs. She can't wait for you to sleep with her. Deborah absolutely adores you. Wants to wake you up and change your diaper, feed you oatmeal and get you dressed in the mornings. You have been an absolute JOY to have in the family and we cannot wait to watch you grow .. happy 18 months baby girl . 

16 months old

My gosh is it so hard to keep up with blogging for three kids. And sadly you're the third so your memories seem to get neglected. That and you NEVER sleep at night so that makes it hard for me to ever wanna blog while you sleep. at 16 months you are STILL breastfed (yeah, we need to stop because you're needy, always crying for a boob in your mouth while awake), but its so sweet to cuddle with you during nap and bedtime. Knowing you are my last baby has been so bittersweet. I savor every moment, i try so hard to remind myself that one day you will sleep but damn are you a tough stubborn little girl. You typically go to bed when Deb and Eli do, because you REFUSE to miss a second of brother sister time. You are obsessed with repeating and doing everything your brother and sister do.
You are an AMAZING talker. At only 16 months, you have the vocabulary of a two year old. You can say mommy, daddy, Sarah, Eli, Deborah, iris, where r you, thank you, you're welcome, sit down, Popsicle, patches, outside, poppy (from trolls movie), night night, i love you, poppa, Nana, and many other words.
you have blonde hair and blue eyes, you love being outside, jumping on the trampoline, going on bike rises, eating popsicles, standing on step-stools, snacks. You hate being in your carseat, taking naps, and sitting in your high chair. You have been an absolute delight, havign you in this family has been such a blessing. Deborah and Eli adore you, follow you everywhere and make sure you are always safe.

ONE year and counting

My sweet little baby girl, you are ONE!!  Already walking, talking, sassy and sleepless. 

You started taking steps on February 1st, about two or three for a piece of a twizzler (I had to bribe all kids with candy to walk) . And less than two weeks later you were off to the races. You LOVE to climb, on the couch, on stepstools, on outside chairs and the kids jeeps. You love when big sister pushes you in a stroller or a bike ride to get smoothies. You get all fussy and the only thing that calms you down is opening the front of back door. The second you see the outside you are silenced. Knowing you are my last baby has been sad, but so bittersweet. I have taken the time to savor the moments, to cry at new beginnings and the endings of a "baby" phase. I will long remember these days, where it is madness and chaos in the house, but squeals of laughs and joy all throughout the day. And while everyday I pray for two naps outta you, you don't wanna miss a THING. And you know what? Neither do I. I always look at you with joy, knowing you were the last piece to the puzzle in my heart. That you have completed my life's mission. You have made me a mother for the last time. And you have made it oh so fun!!! 

You are STILL breastfeeding, I know I know, but it's sooo hard to quit. It's true when they say it creates a bond between a mother and her child. I enjoy the quiet with you, watching your eyes roll until they close and I quietly try to place you in the crib for a nap. I love knowing that you were kept alive solely off me for the first year of your life. I also love knowing that we stuck it out, even when it was oh so hard in the beginning to feed you. You have been a challenge since you were born, trying to find a balance, trying to keep the older kids quiet so you can sleep, trying to keep you happy while still giving your brother and sister attention too. But I wouldn't take it back for the world!!! Thank you Iris Nicole alexander for being born, for completing our family and for bringing us ALL so much joy!!! Happy 1st birthday my sweet sweet girl 

10 months of sweetness and sleepless

10 months old, you are magic. 

You can:

crawl

stand up on your own

stand for about 10-15 seconds at a time, but you won't take a step. You try to move your body forward but don't move your feet so you instantly just fall down. 

Clap your hands

Say DOG ( you and Eli both said dog as your first word) 

Walk with a walker 

Wave bye bye 

You HATE: 

Your car seat 

Changing your diaper 

Cleaning your face 

Mommy walking out of the room 

Drinking from a bottle (whenever mommy works you won't drink milk from a bottle) 

Getting dressed 

Putting shoes on 

Sleeping at night 

You LOVE : 

Brother & sister ( you hear their voice and instantly pop up from sleep) 

Food, mostly real food and not much baby food 

Drinking from a straw 

Being held 

Stroller walks outside 

The spa 

Playing with the dishwasher 

Balloons 

Being outside 

You are a super easy going baby, not much seems to bother you. But you DONT SLEEP!!!!! You take on average about 1-2 naps, not consistent on times or duration which kills mommy. You usually go to bed about 8pm and sleep one stretch of about 4 hours and then wake about every 1.5 hours for comfort nursing. It's driving MOMMY CRAZY. I don't want to make you cry it out because it breaks my mommy heart and I know you're my last baby. So usually I just suck it up and lose sleep. But the mornings are so hard with your brother and sister waking up early. Mommy has the babysitter Sarah come in and help in the mornings so I can sleep a few hours. Coffee is a MUST for mommy now that she doesn't get much sleep.  But you on the other hand, you would never know you don't sleep, you look so well rested! 

We decided to have a 1st and 5th combo birthday party for you and Deborah. The theme will be rainbows and unicorns. Deborah is so excited. Can't wait to celebrate you!!! This year has gone by so fast, it's hard to believe you are already going to be a year old!!! Happy 10 months Iris alexander