Our Little Baby Blog

16 Months Old

It's hard to believe it's been almost a month since we last posted a blog entry. I love having an up-to-date blog, but I also seem to conveniently forget to update it when we get busy (or just lazy).

We continue to be amazed by how Anna grows bigger and bigger. At 16 months old, I swear there are days when she's two inches taller in the morning than she was when we put her to bed. Mike and I both find ourselves grunting a bit when we carry her long distances, a combination of her actually being bigger and her new skills at twisting her way out of your arms no matter how hard you hold on. The girl is good at getting out of tight spots. I'm also pretty sure she's studying how to unlatch her stroller belt, but we've still got the upperhand on that one, thankfully. That latch is tough even for me.


Anna is a giant mass of energy these days. The kind of toddler energy where you are SURE she should be tired by now, but then amazingly she'll want to chase a ball down the hall 20 more times and beg you to read a dozen more books. The playground isn't a treat anymore, it's a necessity. Despite my fears about her getting a sunburn (thank you, Aveeno SPF 55), I pretty much have to take her there at least once a day so she can run around. She's got a giant blue flowered hat (see previous pictures) and I have to laugh everytime I see it flapping around in the wind. Though she doesn't run all the time. Sometimes, even though I want her to run off the energy, she gets so transfixed by the dirt (pronounced duht) and rocks (pronounced rah) that I just have to sit down and let her dig for awhile. Personally, I think it's great that she loves getting her hands dirty. There's something about a girl who can climb trees and make a mud pie that really makes me happy :-) We're not there yet, but I'm hopeful.


New words continue to pop out each day. This weekend it was nose, toes, and shoes. She seems to really get out the first part of the word (noh, tuh, shhh) and the rest sort of disappears. Is that how it's supposed to work? Next week will she get the second half of the words? I haven't read the answer to this question in any of my books yet, but I'm curious about it. (note to self, read those books, seriously, they're just collecting dust)


Anna is also going through an especially clingy phase where she MUST be right by my legs, preferably pulling on my pants and needling her way between me and the couch/cabinets/door. She loves Mike, but if I'm in the room, she's got to be right ON TOP OF ME. I've gotta be strategic about everything. If I need to get something done that's potentially dangerous (unload the dishwasher/chop something with a knife), I've got to do it FAST when she's distracted or else I risk just having to let it go until she's asleep. It's a weird little game that I play every day. I have to plot how to do everything, including the little tasks I will send her on to buy myself a few minutes to finish things up, such as "can you go find baby?" "where's your bag?" It sends her across the room for a minute, until she sees me again and then realizes she needs to be by me again immediately. Mom tricks, right?


I have to say that I do love this stage. Anna is so much fun. I just want to pick her up and squeeze her tight every few minutes. I can't wait to hear what's going to come out of her mouth next or what will suddenly strike her as funny and lead to a round of giggles. Listening to her laugh may just be the best sound on earth. I've got to record it and save it for years from now when I need a boost of sunshine. (note to self, get out that video camera, seriously, it's just collecting dust also).

Have a great week, friends!