Zara::: 17 Months.

Seventeen months looks a lot like this photo below!:::

Seriously, 17 month olds don't care if you still need to adjust your camera settings :)

 Zara understands everything I say. She will throw her trash away when Jonas asks her to in German, she will get her shoes, her diaper, anything really. She goes to her highchair when dinner is ready or out to the car. She gives kisses when we ask and understands that we will be back when we drop her off. So she also understands when she is told "no" or that she is not allowed to do something. I am amazed by her understanding. She seems so much older than she did even a month ago! Unfortunately, I don't always understand her- or maybe it is more accurate that I don't always know how to handle a little person who seems to throw a tantrum at the worst moment. We are learning together and I am trying to handle those difficult situations with patience and love :)

We are finally sleeping in this house- because when Zara wakes up through the night I take her to the couch and we fall asleep shortly after. It is the only thing that works and I was desperate!

She puts headphones on and says "bye bye" and pretends she is going to run like I do.

She loves her toys, especially her stuffed animals. She carries them all around the house and cleans them with her baby wipes.

"Ball" is one of her favorite words and she gets excited when she sees one, especially the red concrete balls outside of Target!

She bites through oranges before they are peeled and gets mad if I try to peel them. So mad that she refuses to eat any peeled oranges sometimes. She loves fresh carrots and green beans! She loves so many different foods, I don't feel like listing them this month.

When she needs to show me something or show me where she wants to go, she just takes my hand to take me there.

Z loves to clean up- especially sweeping. She knows where things go and loves to clean up her bath toys too.

She pretends to read books while saying something that sounds like "Goya" over and over.

We have started trying out the toilet- she goes to her potty when we go to the bathroom.

She points to her mouth, nose, eyes, belly, hair and ears when asked.

She wears 18 month- 2t clothes, size 5 diapers and she does have enough hair for the tiniest ponytail.

Most of the time she loves to say "hello" and "bye bye" to people and socialize with humans and animals.

She loves to share my water- to pour it, play in it and sometimes drink it. Zara is also a known smoothie stealer!

My favorite game is basically tag around the house. She says "shhhh" and then runs to scare one of us. She loves when I chase her while her Papa holds her so she doesn't get too scared. She also loves peek a boo. We love to make her laugh!

Z loves Little Pim more than anyone in the universe. She wants no other show.

Zara will repeat words, they just don't always sound the same. It is still so cute!

She still loves her books, especially when they have animals!

There are a lot of teeth in her little mouth, but I can't get in there to count. Her smile is making her look like a little kid though!

She is messy, moody, playful and very curious. She has no regard for her own safety. None at all- so we have to watch her like a hawk. She loves us so very much and we are grateful for that love every day. Happy 17 months Zara!