Keira, 16 months old

18lbs     28 3/4 "

Where has the time gone?  Our little preemie is quickly turning into a TODDLER!

It's been awhile since I've updated on what our littlest one is up to these days.  It seems that every day there is something new she is doing and once again reminding us what a  miracle she really is.  As you saw in the previous post, Keira is walking with the help of her push toys.  No real steps on her own yet, but she is standing completely unsupported for longer periods of time.  I think it will be any minute that she will attempt that first step.  All cameras and video cameras are charged and ready to roll if she does work up the courage!  Although CHOP is still rather concerned about her weight, she is getting a little more adventurous with her food.  She still eats baby food purees about fifty percent of the time, but the rest of the time she is eating tablefood with the rest of us.  Her favorites so far are scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles, turkey, ice cream, and most recently, Tilapia.  I made Tilapia for dinner tonight and she could not get it in her mouth fast enough!  She eats mostly with her hands, and almost makes it impossible to feed her with the spoon because she insists on taking the spoon out of my hand and doing it herself.  More food goes on her head or over her shoulder than anywhere else, but it is cute to see her show some independence.  As for talking, there are still only a few real words she will say, but believe me, she "talks" in her own way all day long.  She can use "No" completely on her own and in context (great, right?) and "All done" when prompted.  Lately she likes to yell "Go!" over and over again for no apparent reason and laughs like crazy when we say it back to her.  She LOVES being sung to....will completely stop whatever it is that she is doing if you start singing any of her favorite songs.  "Who's My Pretty Baby" seems to be her favorite, followed closely by "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".  She even does the hand movements to the "Itsy Bitsy Spider"!  If you sing and stop mid sentence to any of her favorites, she will fill in the blank with her own little singing voice.  I will try to catch it on video and post it.  It is so so cute!  Keira continues to be a good sleeper, even with teething being constantly present.  She has seven teeth and more soon to come.  Her best sleeping buddy is her "Kitty Blankie".  The instant you hand it to her her thumb goes right in her mouth and she is ready for bed.  Put her Rainforest mobile on and she is out for the night.  A good solid sleeper just like her sister.  Thank God.  

All of Keira's emotions shine brightly in her big blue eyes.  When she's tired, there is no denying the slow, long blinks of her eyelashes.  When she's mad, I swear they can shoot fire.  When she's sad, they fill all up with tears and look like two little pools of blue.  When she is happy, they light up like no one's you have ever seen.  They get so bright and sparkly and crinkle up at the ends.  You won't be able to help yourself.....you will be smiling too.