16 months

16 months

(This post is a little delayed. Wanted to get the Chattanooga posts in first and we have been busy packing boxes. We close on our house and begin moving tomorrow!)

Andi is at her most fun stage yet! (In my opinion.) She is constantly talking, mimicking, figuring out how things work, and exploring.

Andi is saying so many words now. Too many to list. I think she really knows what a lot of things are and what they are called. She will surprise me by pointing and saying something to identify it when I did not even know she knew what that thing is or how to say that particular word. She impresses me everyday with her brilliance! Andi is starting to put words together into sentences! She will consistently say, “Andi’s turn,” “baby/Daddy/Pearl sleeping,” “walk on grass,” milk in cere (cereal),” “hungry,” “Andi ni-night,” “Daddy kisses,” "hold" when she points of asks for something she likes and wants to hold it (like seeing a stuffed dog or a figurine of a frog, etc., “shoowee diaper,” “good-girl (she will say this to Pearl), “bless you,” “tank tu” (thank you), “rock a baby” (rock a bye baby), and “love Mommy.” Other new words are “TV,” “Barney,” “shark,” “raf” (giraffe), “aben,” (Amen), "moto" (motorcycle), "pick" (says this when she wants to "pick a book" or pick a crayon or pick out her clothes), "bike," “jump,” “color” (she got pretty familiar with kid’s menus and crayons while on vacation)“cap,” (clap), and the list could go on forever!

When I put Andi down in her crib when she is really tired and cover her up with her blanket, she giggles. Then she will say, “rock a baby” asking me to sing to her “rock a bye baby or any other song.

When we go into her room in the morning to get her out of her crib, she stands up and says, “jump” and then attempts to jump (bounce) up and down.

New Animal sounds: donkey “hee-haw,” baby “wah,” mouse "squeak," piggy "oink," chicken "brock," turkey “gobble-gobble-gobble.” This is by far her best sound. She says it so clearly and slowly. Too cute!

When ever we are on the phone and say "bye" before hanging up, Andi always yells out, "bye-bye."

Andi is really getting good at putting things away. If she gets something out, we will tell her to go put it back or put it away and most of the time she will. If she spills her snacks, I will ask her to pick them up and she will pick up each piece one-by-one and put it back in the cup (maybe eating a couple along the way). Andi will now also nod her head, shake her head, and turn around.

Andi enjoys rubbing lotion on herself (and anyone else) and will bring over the lotion bottle and pretend. She also likes to wash herself in the bathtub and brush her own teeth. I will start the brushing of her teeth, but she quickly says, “Andi’s turn” and reaches out her hand for the toothbrush.

Andi still struggles with wanting to drink milk out of a cup. I bought a couple of cups with Elmo on them to try to encourage her to drink her milk. It must be very watered down, but she tries because Elmo likes milk. :) So, Andi still is given a bottle before bedtime (just so she will get her milk. She never asks for a bottle, but I give her one just so she will get her milk.) Andi usually eats cereal with milk in the morning but is now a fan of scrambled eggs too. She still refuses to eat fruit. Won’t even look at it or let me put it on her plate. But she will eat mushrooms, green beans, NOT carrots, LOVES black beans, and green peppers. I think the bright colors throw her off. Maybe? She also will not even attempt to try ice cream or snowcones. She turns her head, makes a yucky face, and says, “no!” Such a funny girl. She loves Pizza. She woke up on day this week asking for pizza. She also will ask for tacos. Guess we eat those two foods a lot in this house. :) Andi will most likely eat what we are eating. When in doubt we come prepared with a Gerber Graduates pasta bowl. She will still eat her purreed fruits and veggies and meat sticks. She likes to feed herself (mainly finger foods) but also tries to use a spoon or fork (both new words she now says). She will still let me feed her though. She is a really good eater, just particular about what she likes and dislikes.

Andi continues to be an excellent sleeper, sleeping through the night about 11 hours straight. Andi has been waking up each morning around 7:15. Her bedtime is typically 8:30 pm. She lets us know by asking for her pacifier. Andi still takes two naps a day. Usually about 9:30 in the morning until 11:30 and then another nap around 3:00 pm until 4:30 or 5:00 pm.

Andi wears size 18 months shirts and onesies and 12 months dresses, shirts, and shorts. She is in a size 3 diaper (I decided that for the past several months, I have been buying diapers too big.) I recently bought size 3 because I got more diapers for the money and sure enough, they fit.

The day after we got home form Chattanooga, TN (July 21) Andi had a bad couple of days. Teething. But worse than before. This didn’t last just one night. This lasted two days and one night. Fever of 102 and lots of crying, moaning, and clinging to her momma. Poor baby. I was thankful that this was after vacation and not while we were there or on the 13 hour car ride home. Her first set of top molars. Andi now has a whopping 10 teeth. Top 4, bottom 4, and 2 molars!

Andi has started making a pouty face. She will furrow her brow and look at you like, really?! Pretty funny! She has also gotten a little shy. It takes her a few minutes to warm up to someone. This past Sunday was the first time she has ever cried when I drop her off for Bible class, even though she kept asking to go by saying, "Bible, Bible." It didn't last but a minute or two. Andi has become a little bit of a momma;s girl (and I am ok with that). :)

We love our precious angel and each day is more fun and we look forward to every moment of life with her.