Every Single Month

You’ve hit the Sweet 16 Month mark! It’s the lesser known cousin to the other sweet 16, which won’t happen for another 176 months from now (and no…you won’t be allowed to date, ask me at month 1,948).

Why have I been doing these monthly updates of you two? I think it’s because years are way too short, and I’m way too forgetful. Too many grown ups ask themselves, “where did the years go”? And yes, I’ll probably ask myself that too. But it seems like I’ll have you two a whole lot longer if I measure my time with you in months, not years. I get you for 216 of those, not just 18 measly years!

For now, it’s time to recap Month 16. Your mom and I have noticed that you two went from babies to pre-toddler really quick this summer. It’s been a blast, but we’re quietly mourning the good ol’ baby times with you.

WHAT WE DID:
Went to the beach three times! About the beach…Gwen…you love it. You would run all the way in if we allowed you to. Gracen, you’re content playing in the sand, and messing with the toys we bring. It’s pretty neat to see you grow from completely hating it, to making the best of it.

We also made our way to the Ronald Reagan Library! This was mommy’s idea. It was so sweet of her to take us, because they were displaying a baseball exhibit, and she knows how much I love the sport! You two were the real stars though. All the elderly volunteers oogled and aah’d over you. You did so well in your strollers, and we rewarded you with a nice run on the White House Lawn (a replica of course). We toured a real Air Force One, and ate a really expensive bowl of chili. The day consisted of the perfect summer weather, large lawns for you to practice running in, and a history lesson of the 1980’s when your dad was a toddler.

GRACEN’S NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
You have two more teeth, bringing the official count to 6! You’ve changed your favorite foods from black beans to pasta. You say some new words too! Add “night night” “hi” and “oh” to the list. You’re not into the sign language stuff like Gwen, but you sure do talk a lot more! You do sign “more” and “all done” though. You also do this cute thing where you shake your head no after we have to tell you no (like not touching electrical outlets).

GWEN’S NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
You also have two more teeth, keeping ahead of the tooth game now bringing you to 8. However, these 2 new ones are molars, and you’re not a happy camper. You also love to dance to music! You’re new favorite food is goldfish crackers. You’d eat them all do if we allowed you. You wave at everyone, and it’s the cutest thing! You’re into the signing language thing, and now you sign “more” “all done” and “please”. You’re not too much into talking yet, but something tells me that’s about to change. Lately, you’ve been taking the toy phone and saying “hi” into it. I’m still trying to get that on camera.

We’ve loved Month 16! You two play a lot more with each other. You hug, you play, you laugh, you cry. It’s a cycle…and we love every part of it.