At 17 months, I feel that Mikayla took a big jump from being a little baby to being an independent toddler! This was her second Christmas,last year she was only 5 months old, this time around she had a better understanding of all the events and excitement that came with Christmas time. We went to the Vancouver Christmas Market, Glow at Milner Gardens in Langley and visited Santa at Oakridge! All were lots of fun! She loved the lights and rode a carousel for the first time – which she was obsessed with and loved it! It was such a fun Christmas! Who knew a carousel ride and Christmas lights would be so fun?!
Speaking
We noticed a few things right off the bat that she started to do at around 16 months. She was talking A LOT more. I wrote about how she would say words, and point and name things as she’d see them in my 14 month post. That continued into 15 and 16 months, because she then started to put together those words. For example, we’d ask her “where’s Zoey?” and she’d respond with “Zaa Za there! And point to Zoey. Or she’d say ” Zaa Za gone!” and throw her hands up with her hands pointing up like the shrugging emoji! 🤷
She’s starting to copy us, when we say YAY! She says YAY and throws her hands up in the air, like we do. We’ll read books together and she’ll point at animals and make their sounds. She tugs at your hands, pulls your fingers and say “Go” if she wants to go somewhere, or “Down” if she wants to go downstairs, or “Up” if she wants to be picked up. She’ll chat on her pretend phone, and it’ll sounds like she’s got something major going on.
Clingy
The second thing we noticed right away, was her ability to recognize and remember people. She knows who her immediate family is. If she hasn’t seen you for a while she’ll be super shy, sometimes even cry and sob. She won’t go to people as freely as she used to. At 14 months, we could leave her with anyone and she wouldn’t be mad or upset about it. Now, she’s clingy when I’m around and likes to be near me if she’s not familiar with everyone. If I’m not around she’s okay but when I’m around, she’d rather have me hold her.
Tantrums
The third thing we noticed as she turned 16 months was her ability to decide and communicate what she wants to do. In the morning, she’ll call for us from her room, we’ll go get her and she wants to go downstairs right away to play, but I’ll want to change her diaper. I ask her to lay down so I can change her, and she’ll say Nooooo and start crying. She then reaches for my hand to take me downstairs, and I’ll say first let’s change your diaper. She then continues to whine and cry and say NOOOooooOOOoooOO! This then leads me to finding a toy or book on her shelf, I’ll usually go, WOW! Look at this! And she’ll come over, forget that she wants to go downstairs and then after taking the book, she’ll let me change her diaper. It’s the same battle every morning.
Sleep
When it comes to sleeping. Mikayla is still sleeping through the night, for about 12 hours. However she’s had a few nights where she’s up and crying in the middle of the night, but usually goes right back to sleep after we calm her down. She naps once a day at 1230 or 1pm for about 2.5 or 3 hours. Then she’s in bed and asleep at 830pm. The 830pm bed time is going to change… We’re finding her sleepy around 6pm. So we’re working on getting her into her jammies and in bed by 8pm and work towards a 7pm bedtime. However, she’s just starting to NOT want to go to bed. With all the new toys she got at Christmas and her new found independence, she doesn’t want to stop what she’s doing to go to sleep. She’ll cry and protest at bed time but eventually fall asleep.
Mikayla’s growing up to be a busy toddler! Just like any other one. It’s fun just watching her learn about everything! Am I allowed to say that this is by far my favourite stage?! (Again? Cus I say this on every “Life with a…” post.)
Thanks to everyone who’s been on this journey with me, reading my blog, commenting and following along on Instagram and Facebook! I love you guys and really appreciate all the support! Can’t wait to see what 2018 will bring. Happy New Year to you and your family!
xo Amanda
Amanda is a writer, photographer, videographer and a content creator with a passion for sharing stories. With her family of 5, they share experiences, tips and ideas that empower Moms to make memories with their families right here in British Columbia.
