Before writing Isla’s 16 month update I went back and read the 14 month updates and OH MY GOODNESS has she changed so much in two months!! Isla has been officially WALKING for over a month and we are having so much fun watching her toddle around and explore her world. She’s CONSTANTLY on a mission to discover something new.
The second biggest change this month has been in her communication skills. Isla has become a master at the sign language words I was unsure she’d ever learn (all done, more, please and thank you), is expressing herself more through language, and seems to really understand a lot of what we’re saying and directions we give to her. New favorite words include “keys,” “baby” (a child of any age), “shows,” “Me” (Grammy), “Meme” (my aunt Merri), and “bubbles.” Even if she can’t verbalize a word yet, she can point to pictures in books, everyday items, and people in a group when we say their name. She has also begun to “sing” or dance along to more songs – current favorites are ABC’s, If You’re Happy and You Know It, and Row, Row, Row Your Boat. We are constantly amazed at how much she’s learning!
Isla continues to be a very outgoing child. Most of the time, she’ll jump right into a new situation like when we go to a friend’s house or drop her off in the church nursery. She likes to say “hi” and wave to people when we’re out and enjoys watching older kids play, although she’d rather be a part of the action. She doesn’t have much fear and is pretty tough when she takes a tumble!
Isla’s current favorite toys are her “babies” and stuffed animals. She enjoys pushing them in her stroller, setting them up at her table and tucking them in bed (she says, “shhh!”). She just got a baby high chair that she enjoys setting them up in, too, and feeding her babies with food from her kitchen. Isla also loves to be outside, playing with her water table, splashing in a baby pool, blowing bubbles or exploring the backyard.
Pasta is Isla’s current favorite food, but will really eat anything. She sits on the floor in the kitchen when she wants a snack, since that’s what she’s been taught to do at church. She continues to be a great eater and always surprises us with the amount of food she will eat at certain meals!
I’ve started to see more of Isla’s toddler tendencies come out this month. If she has her mind set on something like going outside or continuing to play when it’s time to clean up, she’s not afraid to let us know she’s unhappy when she doesn’t get to do what she wants. 🙂 Despite these dramatic moments (which actually make us laugh most of the time), I am absolutely loving this age! Now, about that time freezing machine I seem to mention EVERY month…
Thanks for reading!! I’d love to hear any toddler tips you have for anything and everything! I need all the advice with this strong-willed girl! 🙂
XOXO, Jenna
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