Madeline is 16 Months Old!

Well, Miss Madeline, you are sixteen months old, and you are a sweet, adorable stinker! You are a happy, lovey-dovey little lady, but you certainly have given us a real showing of your nasty side. I think we are heading into the terrible twos, and you've shown your independence with a pouty lip, furrowed eyebrows, and all. Luckily for us, your nasty side really only comes out when you are overly tired and/or hungry, but there have been a few times that you let me know loud and clear that you didn't get what you wanted. Unfortunately, you don't always get your way or what you want. Patience is not something you have learned yet, but we are working very hard on it.

Posing for pictures has been a little bit of a nightmare for us because you are on the move constantly. Sitting still for a picture is just not on your agenda...hence the reason we have no recent family portraits YET. Our last session gave us nothing worth buying, so we'll make another go of it in January. You love your vacuum, fuzzy slippers, purses, books, and baby stroller the most out of all your toys. However, Tupperware, wooden spoons, mommy and daddy's shoes, mommy's broom, mommy's hair brush, and your toothbrush are among the many other things that you love! You LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your books, and when the mood strikes you, you will sit and be read to for several books. Some of your favorite books are Clara Wraps Up Warm, The Belly Button Book, and The Great Fuzz Frenzy.

You love to chit-chat, and your vocabulary has blossomed 200% over the last month. There are lots of things that you say -- in fact, so many words that I can't even begin to list them here. You also repeat as much as you can muster out of that little mouth of yours. You love your toy phone and pretend to chat on it as you roam around the house with a purse on your arm. Unfortunately, please and thank you haven't made it into your vocabulary quite yet, but we are really working on those two words at every given teachable moment.

You are still loving your same favorite foods --- hot dogs, ham, cheese, any type of snack/chip, milk, green beans, cheerios, ravioli/spaghetti type foods, nutri-grain bars, oatmeal bars, and yogurt. At some point, you started to boycott applesauce and mandarin oranges (two of your previous favorites)...I guess you ate too much of it and grew tired of it.

You have started to enjoy trying to climb into chairs and make your way into little tight spots to sit and play. It's rather funny to peak in a tight spot and find you sitting there pleased as punch with yourself playing with your toys or reading your books. You love to rough house, but you love your "girly" things too...I think that's the perfect balance for your spunky little personality.

Madeline, you are a sweetheart, and your Daddy and I love your zest for life. We are blessed to be your parents (no matter how much you may try our patience on certain days)! We look forward to starting 2010 with you in our new home.