Our 13 month old...

1. Loves to play outside whether that means running around barefoot in the grass, swimming in her pool, climbing up the slide, or using one of the swings.


2. Enjoys putting things into containers. For many months she only enjoyed taking things out, but recently she has found delight in putting small toys into various little cups and buckets.


3. Often hands a toy she's playing with to Paul or I. Her generosity is rather temporary as she often wants the toy back very soon after she's handed it over. I know we'll be working on the concept of sharing with her sibling. :-)


4. Loves to wave "hi" although she doesn't understand that people can't see her waving through the telephone. Her face lights up when someone (a stranger or someone she knows) acknowledges her wave by waving back or saying "hi." She's a very friendly girl!


5. Enjoys clapping her hands. I recently learned I can't sing "If you're happy and you know it" as one of her bedtime songs any more. Normally while I sing to her she rests her head on my shoulder and sucks her thumb, but when I sing the words "clap your hands," she lifts her head off my shoulder and claps her hands. It's really cute, but isn't a good choice when trying to get her ready for a nap or bedtime.


6. Wants to eat whatever Mommy is eating. If Mommy is eating it, it must be good!


7. Needs to have her fingernails trimmed 1-2 times a week. Thankfully she has gotten much better about sitting still while Mommy trims her fingernails.


8. Is constantly on the go. She gets a lot of exercise every day!


9. Loves to be tickled! Her laughter is one of the sweetest sounds in all the world to me. :-)

10. Squeals with delight. Not everyone is keen on hearing her squeal as it's rather loud and high pitched, but it is a happy sound!

11. Loves to cuddle. Throughout the day she periodically comes up to her Mommy or Daddy for hugs, kisses, and snuggling. Sometimes she makes the "awwww" sound while we cuddle (just like Mommy often does).

12. Has not grasped the concept of gravity. Left to her own devices she would step off the ladder side of the large slide in the back yard, dive head first off of the couch or our bed, etc.

13. Shakes her head "no" when she's near something she knows she's not supposed to touch. Sometimes she resists the temptation, and other times she doesn't. We'll keep working on that!