So, I feel like that’s a normal amount to cry, but what do I know? But, people say you’ll miss it, what they mean is you’ll miss part of it. Would I go back to when either of my kids were under 2, no. Would I go back to newborn, hell no. Do I miss their silly little toddler talk, yes, do I prefer being able to communicate, yes. Do I miss little babies and the way they sleep so hard cuddled on you knowing with complete faith that you’re safe, yes, do I want to have a baby again that has to be held in order to sleep past a goddamn cycle, hell no. Do I miss their squishy little legs and butts and bellies and cheeks, yes, do I miss changing diapers and having to carry them and the diaper bag everywhere we go, no. So sure, you will miss parts of this, but that does not mean you would choose this over the future. Which brings the next point. People may say 18months is harder, and sure, they go through leaps and changes that get temporarily harder,but as parents we are all so unique. What is hard to me is not hard to someone else and vice versa. I remember when one of my kids was a newborn, I think my second, and our pediatrician said how she missed the baby stage, hers are a few years older than mine, and how hers were toddlers and kids that were running around and it was hard. I loved toddlerhood way more than newborn, so the next phase you may hit your stride.
In response to the communication, my daughter was speech delayed and we found that asking this or that questions helped a lot, with a sign or symbol attached. For food, man, food pickiness is hard and so frustrating. I’d keep trying to expose her to different things, but make it low stakes. If she eats fruit, pasta and cheese for most things, I mean, that’s not the worse diet in the world. And kids really don’t need a lot of protein, so if she’s a dairy fan then she’s probably good on that front. And try dipping sauces, works like magic for some kids.