16 on the 16th

I guess it won't be all that long until Lexi's real "golden birthday," but on this 16th day of September I'm content to celebrate the 16 months Lexi has brightened our lives on earth.

Lexi's loves:

• Stacking cups - by far her favorite toy
• Books - looking at her own pace (usually fast), not reading
• Betsy the stuffed lovey - Lexi chews on her ears at bed time
• Music - Lexi can groove to the tunes!
• Standing in high places - play structure "fort," kitchen table, toilet
• Her right hand - shows a strong preference much earlier than the boys
  
• Stealing toothbrushes from the bathroom drawer
• Goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, yogurt, grapes, clementines, cheese, and meat
  
• Being outdoors
• Riding in the car

Lexi's schedule:

• Wake up around 6:30 a.m.
• Morning nap at 9:00 a.m.
• Lunch at noon
• Afternoon nap at 12:30 p.m.
• Bedtime at 7:00 p.m.

Lexi's physical stats:

• 20 pounds with her clothes on
• ? inches tall (we haven't been to the doctor for a while, but she is growing!)
  
• Size 12-18 months clothes
• Size 4 shoes
• 12 teeth (4 on top, 4 on bottom, 4 molars)
• Stick-straight, platinum blonde hair (she will finally allow a rubber band or two!)
  

Lexi is such a sweet, easy-going girl. She is cuddly and affectionate, happy and mellow, but definitely determined to find her way in the world. She is very curious, very confident, and very independent. Hm.....I wonder where she got those stubborn traits?

Lexi doesn't get into as much trouble as the boys did at this age -- at least not on her own. Unfortunately, she is often in the wrong place at the wrong time, or opportunities are made available to her through her mischievous older brothers. Yesterday's maple syrup incident never would have happened if Lexi had been the only child at home, but she sure enjoyed that sticky mess while it lasted!

Lexi is a chatterbox. We have never had a child talk so much and so early! What fun! She isn't producing sentences by any means, but she has dozens of words at her disposal. I love hearing the inflections in her tiny voice, and I love that she sings and babbles to herself when she plays.

It's hard for me to say whether these traits are part of being a girl or just part of being Lexi. Whatever the source, I love every ounce of my adorable girl.