16 months

Madeline, the big girl, update.  Trying to keep a running tab of what she’s up to -

• She has 14 teeth. 
• She sleeps longer (8 pm – anywhere between 7-8 am). 
• She has cut her morning nap, so she has the one, long afternoon nap.
• No hair cuts to report!  We’re letting it grow out and have discovered that she yanks bows out, but will keep a rubber band in!  Score one for mom and dad!
• She eats pretty much anything we eat nowadays.  She has recently decided, however, that she no longer wants to eat green beans.  Whether this is a phase, or we just gave them to her too often, I’m not sure.  Knock on wood – she’s still going strong everywhere else.  Her favorite foods include:  avocado, eggs, broccoli, tomato, and FRUIT – any of it.
• She loves milk.  She easily drinks 20 oz. plus every day.  Clearly, we’re buying a TON of milk these days.
• She’s a dancing machine (still)
• She is completely fascinated with the vacuum cleaner
• She is a touch dramatic, complete with “wet noodle” and fake cries.  This doesn’t last long, nor does it happen too often, but she can really dish it out if she’s feeling up to it.
• She likes to “jump jump” – this could be on our laps, on the bed, or in an exersaucer jump-thingy at Mimi and Grandbuddy’s house.
• Her favorite words are Baba (this is mama), Daddy, DD (Deacon and Madeline are BFF), bunny, Acey (Avery)
• Speaking of Deacon and Madeline, when she wakes up every morning, she calls for DD and he comes in and sticks his nose in between the slats in her crib to give her morning love.  I think we lucked out in the dog department, too.
• Favorite animal sounds:  Sssss (for snake), woof, meow
• Favorite activity is reading!  She loves to flip through her books, or have you read to her.
• She’s starting to form sentences, or use multiple words at once, rather.  She’ll say her own version of Happy Birthday, hi ___ (fill in person or animal or DeeDee here), hi there, love you.
• She just talks.  There’s no telling (yet) what she’s really saying, but she’ll tell you a story if you let her.
• When she wants something, she says “please”
• She blows kisses
• She knows eyes, mouth, teeth, ears, hair, nose, toes, foot
• She’s in a mama phase.  Holding on to this as tight as I can before she goes back to strictly daddy J
• She enjoys saying a blessing before dinner and a prayer before bed.  Smiles and says her version of “yes” (sounds like “aye”) when we finish.

She’s just awesome.  Period.  We have truly been blessed with this little girl.