16 Months

This busy, busy toddler is quite the challenge these days. I don't remember June being challenging in the same way. Lil is loud. She plays loud. She protests loud. She loves banging things to make loud noises. And if she's not happy, she is very vocal. She is getting better about getting dressed, but even that is difficult most days. And sleep...well, we won't even go there. I'm grateful she takes good naps.

Fortunately for us as she gets older and more capable, she has calmed down in some ways. And she's eager to help. She likes to help unload the dishwasher. After dinner, she collects the napkins and puts them in the dirty laundry. She is also getting tall enough to help bring things to the table and clear the table afterwards. Of course it takes more time, but her eagerness to help makes it worth it. And it's better than listening to her scream.

Lily is also getting better at moving around on the playground. I know why there's mulch at the park, but man does it make it hard for toddlers to get around. She loves climbing on the structures, throwing the ball, and playing with the musical instruments that are built into the playground. We've been so lucky to have THREE park-worthy days of weather in February. I know it's just a tease of spring, but it's so nice to leave the house without jackets and hats and gloves.

Lil can now say: mama, daddy, doggy, puppy, sassy, yeah, ball, a hybrid of hi/bye, thank you, uh-oh, and will shake her head for no, and use signs for water, more, all done, milk and down. She's also starting to "read" letters because she sees June doing it so much. When she sees letters, she'll recite the sounds in perfect cadence like June. She doesn't know what she's saying yet, but she can also repeat a few strings of letters from the Alphabet song, another common sound in our house, thanks to June.