Rhyan: 16 months

I tell my patients daily, "I absolutely love being a mom". I think its because Rhyan makes it easy! She has the sweetest personality and is so. much. fun. Although, we are starting to see her frustrated side as she now at times attempts things she cant do (like fit into the bookcase... she wants to sit in it) and gets mad and yells. Its kind of funny for now, but i can totally see the tantrums coming. So we're enjoying every tantrum free moment until then :-)

At 16 months some of the fun things rhyan is doing:

• rubs her belly in a circular motion if you ask her if her food is "yummy to her tummy"
• blows kisses and waves when she's ready to leave or go night night. even if its not time.
• pinches her nose and says (in a very low tone) "bum bum"
• continues to point to her belly button, toes, foot and hair
• now also shows her teeth, tongue and again, points to her nose. we're almost there w/ eyes
• puts her hands together to "pray" at each meal (doesnt close her eyes, though)
• is still a dancing maniac and has dance parties w/ Daddy regularly
• can sit on a riding toy and finally go forwards as well as backwards
• has the two top canines coming in. no official appearance, yet.
• still loves the water
• is down to ONE NAP a day! It starts just after lunch (12:15ish) and lasts till 3ish. Sometimes she wakes up around 2:30 but stays in bed till 3, at least.
• signs "more" and "all done"
• still gasps at everything exciting or new
• can turn on the dishwasher and the gas stove (and has gotten popped for this, alot!)
• sticks her finger up her nose now that she's found it. we try to ignore it. :-(
• loves to get a book and have us read to her
• tries to do the motions to "itsy bitsy spider"
• shakes her finger when i sing the 5 little monkey's song ("no more monkey's jumping..."
• still does "bad face". idk if we will ever get tired of that!
• still eats alot. lately, she's loving fried okra. and black eyed peas. pretty much any bean/pea she will eat. and the girl can eat her weight in fruit of any kind. apples, oranges, pears, watermelon, cantaloupe, peaches, bananas, etc... she is also liking chicken more.
• likes to fake cough or fake yawn
• thinks us faking falling down is hilarious, and likes to do it herself (on a pillow... its so cute)
• thinks spud is the greatest thing ever and tries to hand feed him his food. if he doesnt eat it, she will. *sigh* i dug 6 pieces out of her mouth last week. at one time!
• still sucks her fingers when very tired or upset and still wants to cover it w/ a bib or shirt.
• says "baaa" (ball), "up", "bubbnnnn" (button... for her belly button), "boo boo", "daddy", "puh" (spud), "ahh duh" (all done) and possibly a couple of others we cant understand.
• loves her shape box and can correctly get the circle and occasionally the square but mostly she gets frustrated w/ it and throws the shapes. but returns to it moments later.
• tries to put on her shoes, my shoes, any shoes!
• gags herself w/ her fingers from time to time? the dr says its a teething thing...
• occasionally makes a high pitched noise when we ask her what a kitty cat says
  
• is not really a momma's or daddy's girl, but definitely wants me for comforting. she loves us both, and we both adore her.

So, as you can tell, our days are full of "free" entertainment via Rhyan! We love every minute!

Following is her approximate schedule at 16 months with one nap a day:
7:15ish- get her up, get dressed, brush teeth
7:30-8 free play time
8am- breakfast (still something and fruit. eggs/toast/fruit or oatmeal/fruit or pancakes/fruit)
8:30- play time with mommy (i pick the activity... blocks or shape box or little people, etc)
9am-outside play
10am-come in and get washed up and have reading time
10:30- 30 min of independent play (not officially, really... i havent implemented room time)
11am-tv time
11:30ish-lunch
12:15ish- nap
3:30-4 get up from nap and eat a snack
afternoon is free play and play with daddy/family time
5:30-6 dinner
bath, get ready for bed
7pm bed