16 Months

Lucy:

• is a good little helper and can follow simple instructions...and is usually very proud of herself for doing so.
• repeats a lot of what we say and is working on some new words – her new favorite is MINE! (“MY!”) and we are working on please, which comes out "Eeeeee?!" with a big smile.
• likes to give hugs, kisses, and high-fives (and the kisses have gotten beyond head-butts and closer to the real thing). I think her favorite person to give all three is her daddy.
• is weaned off the pacifier, which actually wasn’t too bad (but kudos to Husband for initiating the process and taking the first night).
• rocks her babies and stuffed animals and covers them with a blanket.
  
• sometimes lays in bed at night singing and talking to herself.
• has a bunch of new teeth just waiting to pop through, which has caused some night waking and crankiness.
• learned Old MacDonald from Grandma Betty, and sings “ee-i-ee-i…” (still working on the “o”)
• has learned how to throw a good old fashioned toddler fit and there is a “tragedy” which seems to warrant one about once per day.
• climbs furniture and whatever else might look like it’s off limits.
• has taken to calling the dog “Dobby” (dah-bee). She just has the consonants turned around, but now sometimes I catch myself calling him that too!
• loves her fleece monkey jammies with the monkey feet.
• takes books and "reads" them aloud. The farm animal book is a hit at the moment (tests my animal sound skills – goat, anyone?)
• starts out with “Mommy!” if ever left to cry after a tantrum, but when she realizes I’m not buying it, she switches to “Daddy!” STINKER.
• definitely has a sense of humor and knows when to turn on the charm.
• is learning how to blink/wink, which is quite funny.
• really gets the waving thing and is also known to run up to us randomly and say “HI-ee!”
• is very good at signing “more” and occasionally “all done” and “milk.” We're trying to use a few more.
• is busy, busy, busy! She doesn’t sit still for long, and cuddle time is at a premium.

Although this month has definitely brought frustrations as my daughter starts to express her…independence…I often catch myself looking at her and thinking how lucky we are. However tired or frustrated I am, I still cannot resist that little toothy grin. And she knows it. :)