Dear Caroline,

How can you possibly be a year and a half already?? Although I hate to admit it, you're losing more of the "baby" about you, replacing it instead with a heavy dose of "active toddler." Your lively personality is shining through, and we have so much fun just enjoying you!

* You love to play dress-up with your big sister. You disappear into the toy closet and come out donned in backpack, tiara, and bracelets. You usually bring me your red cowgirl boots and a tutu for help getting those on, too.

* You're becoming Kate's little copycat. You're watching and emulating everything she does - the way she plays, tantrums, nose picking, even expressions. The other day Kate was being dramatic and she laid her head down on the sofa. You walked up right next to her and laid yours down, too. It's hard not to laugh!

* You're not so much of a talker as Kate was at this age, but you have several words in your vocabulary, and I think we've hit that mark where you're starting to add a whole bunch at once. Of course you call me "Mama," but you also call Daddy and Kate "Mama," too. Anyone you love is "Mama." We're working on that one! I haven't been good about keeping a list of the words you know (second child), but it's still just the basics pretty much.

* Your lack of vocabulary doesn't keep you from belting out some tunes. It amazes us how you can "sing" along with our favorites even though you don't say the words. Somehow you babble along, and we can tell that you totally know the songs. The VeggieTales theme song is one of your favorites.

* You're really good at entertaining yourself. It's fun to watch you "collect" small toys in a basket or bag and watch you try and tote as much as you can around the house. You like to pull them all out and line them up on tables or window sills. Another fun new activity for you is coloring. You love to climb up on the chair at the dining room table where we keep your colors and coloring books spread out for you. And while I say you like to color, what you really like to do is dump out the crayons and put them back into the containers. You love to make messes, and anything that's in a big basket or put away neatly is just begging to get destroyed. It's so much fun to throw things around!

Happy half-birthday to you, sweet Caroline!
Love,
Mama and Daddy

Official Stats:

weight: 25 lb, 3 oz (80%)

length: 31.3 in (33%)

head: 18in (35%)

clothes: still mostly 18 month size

diaper size: size 4

sleep: 7pm-7am

naps: 8:30am-10, 1pm-3 (On days when we can let you, you'll still take 2 naps a day! Incredible!)

teeth: 16, I think??

{pics taken Nov. 15}