In the absence of leap year, we celebrate Jillian's 16 month birthday today! The last month brought lots of new discoveries for Jillian, which translates to challenges for us as parents of a very busy and highly curious toddler. Nothing gets by her, and everything (no matter how dangerous) just seems to invite her exploration. Toddlers by nature are designed to test limits, and assert their independence as they realize they are separate from their parents. Jillian is most definitely following the typical path of development in that department! She has my number, and she dials it frequently :)
Jillian continues to add new words at lightning speed, and often surprises us with what she repeats. So far, she has yet to repeat anything inappropriate, but I imagine that is coming soon! Some recent additions to her vocabulary include:
-"nack" (snack)
-"hi baby"--we didn't realize that Matt says this to her every night he walks in the door. One day she just greeted him that way--it is so sweet, and a greeting that she saves just for him.
-"tur-tuh" (turtle)
-"wimming" (swimming)
-"moon" (not what you think....this is Jilly-speak for 'prunes'! Yep, she eats them everyday for reasons you can probably guess)
-"beep" (sheep)
-"Jee-seh" (Jesus). The last piece of our bedtime routine is singing "Jesus Loves Me". I have done that since she was 3 months old. Last week, Matt finished reading, kissed her goodnight, and turned out the lights as usual before leaving us to rock and sing. Jillian immediately looked at me and said, "Jee-seh". It took me a few days of her doing this before I realized what she was saying.
-In addition to her beloved Elmo, Jillian has now branched out and learned to love all Sesame Street characters. She loves the books she has of them and they are among her most requested. She knows and says "Abby", "Ro-ro-ver" (Grover), "Eh-nee" (Ernie), "Bih-buh" (Big Bird), "Beht" (Bert), and "Ah-car" (Oscar).
Our little lady continues to be a social butterfly, and loves to be where the action is. She has really enjoyed the parent/child yoga class at the local children's yoga studio, and we just might sign up for another session. Toward the end of the 5-week class she started doing the motions to the songs and some poses at home, which is really cute to watch. While at class, however, she preferred to covet the bucket of shakers...
and loved the ride in the parachute with the other kids. Can you find the bald baby?
At open gym, she loves to chase her friends (here she is with Ellie) and play in the likely germ-infested foam pit.
But, even the wild child has to take a moment to rest! Here she and her friend Jayson take a break from the action at MOPS (I really could not believe the two of them just climbed up in the chairs and sat there. A rare moment for sure)
Other preferred activities of our now 16 month old include running errands with Mom (seen here in the Easter aisle at Target)....
Bedtime stories with her best guy....
And trying to grow up way too fast.
Jillian, you are one remarkable little human being. I love watching you grow and change every single day.
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