Dear Rio,
You are now 15 months old. A baby no more but a toddler who is always on the move. You have mastered walking and have recently become much more solid on your feet. Your individual personality has become more clear lately. You are gentle with a kind heart. It is so clear even from this young age. When Lily is upset or crying you always try to comfort her with a hug and a kiss. You are observant when around other kids. You don't take toys from others and are starting to understand turn taking and sharing. Following Lily around seems to be your favorite past time. If Lily is another room and I ask "where's Lily?" you will drop whatever you are doing to find her. Order seems important to you. If you know where something goes you like to put it back where it belongs. You like to help around the house. Feeding the dogs, sweeping, throwing away trash, and unloading the dishwasher will always capture your full attention. When I go out to pick up dog poop, you will find dog poop in the grass and just stand in the grass pointing to it until I pick it up. You will even follow directions. You will sometimes go get a diaper when I ask you for one.
You are starting to say a few more words although they are mostly in imitation. You still will not say Mama, Dada, or Lily!! Here are the things you do say: pop, ma/more, up, ah uh/apple, dow/down, go, Scow/Scout, quack. You snort to make a piggy sound and click your tongue to make a horse sound. You are fascinated by animals. You love to pet the dogs and spot birds in trees.
You are a pretty good eater. You will generally eat what we eat, although every day is different. I learned you really don't like cantaloup. Sleeping is better. You continue to wake up at 5:00 every morning. I have started letting you stay in your crib until 6:00am. You are not very happy about that but it has to be done.
You make me smile every single day!
Love,
Mama
