16 Months

Oh. My. Word.

16 Months already?

This time last year, she was a mere 4 months old.

Chubby cheeks. Leg and arm rolls galore. Almost bald head. Round little face!

She could: hold her head up, roll over front to back and back to front, scoot on her back, make raspberry noises, blow amazing spit bubbles, babble, smile at us, and laugh. That was pretty much the extent of her daily doings; beside nursing, pooping, and sleeping.

Really.

And now she can: not only walk, but run; loves to jump (even if her toes never leave the ground); dances and stomps; can both throw and catch the ball (on the bounce); sit and read by herself; turn the tv/dvd player on/off; and slide going head first (post to come!).

Oh...and eat!

Good grief this kid can eat!

She's enjoying communicating more and more!

Words: mommy (mom-eeeeee), dada, Rie Rie, dog, cat, car, duck, ball, shoe, sock, no, ballon
Phrases: oh wow, what's that, all done
Sounds: sheep/lamb, cat, dog, duck, bear, lion, monkey, cow, chicken, horse, snake
Signs: please more milk (yes, all in a row), water please, brush teeth, wash hands, car, NO, help, milk, water, all done, bird, fish, rabbit, book, bye bye

When asked (and in the mood), can touch her: nose, eye, tongue, teeth, hair, ears, toes
Understands way more than we know, such as: sit down, stand up, walk, no!, stop! (like before she gets to the steps at the edge of our front porch!), go get a book/whatever, bring me xyz (when she has something she's not supposed to have!), what do you want, use your words (or signs)

A few nights ago, she was all stuffed up and couldn't sleep. So I brought her back out to the living room to sit for a while. She sat up and pointed to my nose, something she always does right before we snuggle. I told her to lay her head down and go night night. She popped it right back up and started signing more. I said, "More what, sweetie?" She signed please. I said, "Please more what?" And she signed water. No tears. No grunts. No screaming. No tatrum. She knew what she needed, drank her water, laid her head down, and promptly fell asleep.

It was a breakthrough. With no prompting, she started to tell me what she wanted. Now, I know I had to keep asking what; but she knew she could tell me what she wanted. Amazing.

If she doesn't want you to mess with her, she'll swing her arm back and forth in front of her and shake her head no! She knows what she wants, or doesn't. When she's mad, she throws her head back and freezes. So dramatic! Then she sits back up and does one of a few things: screams, grunts, shakes her head no, lays out and throws a full fit, or forgets about it and moves on! She's got the going limp, refusing to walk, lay out and scream, just try holding me up by one arm stuff down, especially in Publix or Sams or whenever my hands are full. Not to fear, we're working on nipping that now!

Yes, she's only 16 months; not two!

Anyone want to loan us The Strong Willed Child?

She's started dropping a nap recently, but it was her afternoon nap that she was dropping. So after talking around at church to some friends, we gradually started moving that morning nap to get it bumped up to the afternoon nap. In the process though, there were a few days where she just played in her bed. One afternoon, she started fussing a little too much. So I walked in. She looked up at me with those big eyes, holding her lovie and paci, and said, "Mom-eeeeeeeeeeeee" in this sweet innocent voice...at the top of her lungs. What do you think I did...? Yup, picked her up and we snuggled and played!

She's started connecting what sharing means. Our friend Cady was over here the other day, and her lamby (lovie) was on the floor. Addie picked it up and brought it to her. As determine as I've seen her be, I have been a tad concerned about her not being kind to others; but that sweet spirit is starting to unfold.

I love her big, blue eyes and curly hair. Her giggle that comes from deep within. I love it when she lays her head on our shoulders and loves on us, pats our back when we pick her up, and those oh-so-lovely open-mouth slobbery kisses. I love going in to get her up from her nap and the first thing she does is say dog and start barking...after she flashes you that sweet smile of hers. I love every bit of her! We continue to pray for guidance in raising this precious angel as God would have us. She is the most incredible blessing, and we are so thankful for each and every moment we share with her!