17 months

Allison is growing up fast. She's a toddler now; walking and talking a lot; exerting her will and showing attitude. She's also very playful and fun. She's doing much better with socializing with people. For a period at the end of 15 months old, she was very clingy to me and had some stranger anxiety.

Feeding wise she is doing very well. She shows interest in trying out new foods but will spit it out if she doesn't like it. She also shows interest in using utensils and does a good job getting the spoon and fork to her mouth. After dinner I give her some supplements: teaspoon of flaxeed oil for DHA/omega, chia seeds for fiber, iron, calcium, and yogurt with probiotics and calcium. Her favorite foods are broth and rice. She shows more interest in drinking water but milk is something we still need to practice on.

I remember this morning, dropping her off at school. we came in and her classmates were singing a song. she immediately smiled. when we went to the door of the classroom and she saw her friends in circle time, Allison was so giddy that her legs started to dance with excitement. She happily went in and had no problem with me leaving.

At 15 months in the beginning of Dec, both mommy and daughter had a stomach virus. Allison was the most sick we have ever seen, not eating or drinking for days while vomiting. It was a very hard time on all 3 of us. We were most worried about dehydration. We were so relieved when she showed interest in eating again. Child refusal to eat or drink is one of the most stressful parts of being a parent.

At the end of Jan (right before turning 17 months, we took our first trip on an airplane to Florida to visit cousin Alyna. Alli did well on the plane; she is a very active toddler so it was a bit exhausting for us. She had a blast down there with cousin and auntie/uncle. Alyna is a loving cousin and it was a great environment to play in.

Words that Allison can say are: hi, bye, amen, more, pray, up, down, rice, thay tha? (change diaper), night night. I love you = "avoo" <3 :) she says this back to us everytime, it is sooo cute! She is also very affectionate to us, giving hugs and kisses when we ask and even when we don't ask. her kisses are soo sweet! She also knows to put her hands together when the viet words are said (i.e. before praying). Recently she even learned a bit of spanish. teacher says "te"and she says "amo!" which means I love you.

She also enjoys watching youtube videos of nursery rhymes (too addicted to it actually). She knows certain songs and sings along, like itsy bitsy spider and wheels on the bus. we figured out to sing these songs in the car to entertain her.

here are some videos and pics:

Airplane ride to Florida

from the epic stomach bug at 15 months