babee tales

Natalie's physical development has reached the stage where she is very comfortable on her feet - she now darts around the house. Her strengthening limbs also mean she is more into climbing - she gets up and down the sofas and beds all on her own.

Interestingly, at 16 months she is also developing character or personality traits, some endearing, some funny, others exasperating.

As the omniscient Daddy figure I am offering valuable tips for those who are interested in getting to know Nat better.

She has this coquettish (i.e. coy, bordering on flirtatious) smile that she reserves for folks she wants to impress, e.g. Mommy's friends. She certainly never throws these our way! To be sure you are in her good books, you need to get one of these.

She likes to repeat certain words/phrases read to her from the mountainous stack of flashcards that Mommy has made. In fact, she does a fine job generally of echoing words, but here's a little secret I'll share - you need to offer the right bribes. In fact, once you do so, you won't be able to get her to stop.

She is getting over her usual dislike of strangers but still likes to be warmed up to first. This is hereditary (and not from me). You need to approach her with something more distracting than the prospect of a big bad stranger in mind - that means some adored creature like a cat or bird or fish or some cool object.

She has a penchant for throwing unruly tantrums at bedtime. This is also hereditary. So do not be offended if she is cross past 9pm. After all, even her adult version has the same predilection.

The Wife and I will attempt to offer more photographic and videographic evidence in the days ahead.