Thursday, February 11, 2010

Sixteen Months.

Dear Cub,

Today you are sixteen months old.


SIXTEEN MONTHS OLD. THAT IS OLD. I have proof.

Here you are at sixteen days:

(with your Memere)

and again at sixteen weeks:


So, yes. Sixteen months. Wow.


The time has flown. I knew it would. These letters usually consist of your latest developments and behavioral patterns and such, so, here it goes:

1) You sleep great.
2) You eat great.
3) You play great.

Does that sum it up enough? Your favorite foods still fall under anything that can be categorized as "food", you go to bed and take a nap like a champ and if you aren't tired or if you wake up early, you simply play in your crib until we come and get you. You play well on your own and play well with others. I love sneaking into the children's wing at church and spying on you in the nursery. It's too cute. You smiled and chatted and cooed at your check-up. The pediatrician said you're doing great. You even made him laugh. Way to go!

Now. Just because, as your parents, we think you are a glowing pile of amazingness, does NOT mean that we don't face the necessary challenges that accompany toddlerhood. For example, just a few nights ago, you decided you did NOT want to pick up your legos. Putting our toys away is a pretty big deal, something we strive for every day, and yet, you randomly decided that you had better things to do. Like play with a ball. So, Daddy had to sit you down and lay out our expectations for you. You did not like it, not one little bit. But, he sat there with you the whole time until every last lego was picked up. You cried. He was resolute. The job got done. Two minutes later you were laughing and toddling around. With your ball.

And today? Your picked up your legos like it was no big deal. Ah, the joys.


We are currently learning our manners. You still sign for "please", but are able to say "thank you" and "excuse me" (I DID ask your doctor if it was okay that you still signed for some words and he said that yes, it was, and that it wasn't a sign of developmental delay--communication is communication!). As with the legos, sometimes your manners are flawless, and sometimes you burst into tears as if to say MANNERS?? I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. It's comical. Stressful at times, but comical. You test new boundaries every day, but you also learn every day. It's all about consistency, Cub.

And, we have so much FUN. Toddlers have always intimidated me, but now that we are facing that stage, I can honestly say that Yes, it is challenging (as is every stage, to some degree), but it is also FUN. The laughter and the stomping of little feet and the running on tip-toes--it's all kinds of fun. Your limitless energy can be exhausting, but in a good way. I love ending the day feeling tired. It's been a little tough with all of the cold weather, which confines us to the indoors for the most part. But, thanks to play groups and our own little family dance parties, we're able to come up with creative ways to expend energy inside. But, I'm not gonna lie--springtime can't come soon enough!!


You have a little sister on the way, and you love to come up to my tummy and exclaim, "Mimi!" You pat my belly. You have no idea what's going on in there and let me tell you, things are about to change big time. But, the change will be good. You will be a great brother. Just try not to make her eat butter by convincing her that it's ice cream.

Your Dad and I are so proud of you. Your Dad beams every time he walks in the door and you exclaim "Dadda!" and toddle to him. You two are quite a pair. I love it.

And I love you, sweetie.


Love,
Mama

3 comments:

  1. You have a pretty amazing little kid there, my friend. However, I am in denial that he is already this old. ;) Great pictures!

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  2. I'm impressed that you have a 16-month old who actually picks up his legos. How the heck did you get him to do that? My 2 year old will put away 1 thing and completely give up so matter how hard we try to get him to comply.

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  3. Lots of practice. LOTS OF PRACTICE. And sometimes we help him out, too, by putting a couple away ourselves, to be sure he totally gets what we're asking of him.

    Did I mention practice? :)

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