16 months

Dear Madison and Jackson,

This month has again gotten more challenging for mommy and daddy. Your need for attention has made our daily lives much more hectic. At the same time life has gotten even more fun. You are both so fun and love to laugh and giggle with us and with each other. Sometimes you play hide and seek with each other around objects like the bar stools (even though you can see each other THROUGH them). You laugh big belly laughs when you poke your heads around.
Eating has gotten better but still not wonderful. You're back to liking zucchini pancakes which is great because veggies are still a challenge. You are still getting jarred baby food in order to make sure you're eating a balanced meal. You both still love string cheese, grilled cheese, mac and cheese (macaroni with melted american cheese mixed in), strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, puffins, raisins. You both have about three 8 ounce cups of milk even though Dr. C recommends two cups a day. You aren't crazy about water so I started putting a splash of juice in the water for flavor. It seems to have helped but you don't guzzle it like you do your milk.
The last week or so you've both been sick with fevers on and off. Jackson had one one day last week and then Madison got it the next day. Then last night Jackson got another fever and still has it today.

When you've been feeling well you both love to sit on my lap. If i'm sitting on the floor you'll both (at separate times) come running up to me and crash into me and let me hug you. It's like you need a little mommy fix. I love it!

Lately you've both been all about mommy. We haven't had any situations like that yet and daddy doesn't like this new stage at all! If you need a hug, you want it from me, if you get hurt, you want me, if you're drinking your milk, you want to sit in my lap, if you want to read a book, you want to sit in my lap. I absolutely love it but it makes daddy very sad.

You both love ring around the rosey. You love the end when we all fall down. Sometimes you'll fall down right as I start the song.

Neither of you are saying any words on a consistent basis except for kitty.

You both started feeding yourself from a bowl with a spoon this month. It's pretty messy but I was amazed at how you caught onto it. I don't let you do it every day so it ends up being a fun treat for you.
I finished my June project of taking a photo a day of each of you. I now need to work on getting a book printed.

We're back to two naps a day if we're just hanging out at home. If we go out in the morning you are able to make it until 1 or 2 and then you only have one nap.


Dear Jackson,

You continue to be rough with your sister. When you try to hug her you end up pushing her down and she cries so hard! You also enjoy swatting at her and hitting her in the head with toys.

You "jump" when we say jump. You don't actually get any air but you lift your legs up one at a time and laugh.
Your hair is getting pretty long since I last cut it in March. The back has the cutest curls in it that I just don't have the heart to cut it but I think I'm going to have to do something soon.

You wear size 18 month clothes and size 4 diapers and size 5 shoes (you need new ones).

I absolutely love to snuggle with you.  I love your soft skin and the way you look up at me with your big brown eyes.  I still kiss you until you fuss to get down because I just can't get enough of you.

I love you buddy!!!

Dear Madison,

Your hair continues to get longer but with the curls it seems to be staying the same length. It's just getting fuller and more crazy when you wake up from a nap. I love to put a bow in your hair or put it in pig tails but daddy likes it better down. So I alternate.

You continue to be shy around new people but you warm up quickly. The other day the bag lady at the grocery store said hi to you and you started BAWLING!

You are still in size 12 months clothes but we moved you up to size 4 diapers because Jackson grew out of the threes. You're just now getting into a size 4 shoe, in fact we need to go shoe shopping for you.

You are still my little peanut and even though you are very feisty sometimes you are also very loving and happy.  You insist on being held when you drink your milk from your sippy cup and I just love how you settle into me.  I love how I can make you that comfortable.  You are such a little doll!

I love you baby peanut!!