Dear Frankie Mabel: 16 months old

Dear Frankie Mabel, I’ve just been editing the photos from the last two months for this post and you’ve changed so much! I hadn’t realised how much more toddler like you had become recently – you’ve got more teeth, lost a bit of puppy fat, your hair’s longer, you grin cheekier. You’re growing up so fast. Could you please slow down? You’re 16 months old now and just as much of a force of nature as you always have been.

Everything you do is still done with 100 per cent effort and force. If you’re laughing, everyone around you laughs, and if you’re having a tantrum, the whole street knows about it. You explore the world with vigour and want to be in the middle of everything at all times, from the moment you wake up until the minute you go to bed. I love your enthusiasm. It’s almost catching. Almost – if I got a bit more sleep.

Your speech is coming on daily at the moment. You have loads of new words, love to learn animal sounds, particularly growling, and are now putting two words together. When I take you to bed at night, you say ‘bye bye dadda’, and blow him kisses, it’s so cute. You have also started to pick up the makaton signs that we use with Lottie. So hopefully you’ll be able to communicate more and more with her too.

You’re in teething hell at the moment, with four canines coming through at the same time. But once they are done, we only have the last set of molars to go and you’ll be done with the awful teething stage.

Your relationship with Lottie continues to blossom. It’s a love hate affair at times, but mainly love. You play really nicely together and I often find you sitting together and giggling. I hope the two of you grow to be the best of friends, you’re so different, but sometimes that can make for the best duo.

At 16 months old, your sleep hasn’t changed much, you generally sleep through and settle fairly quickly, but the light summer mornings mean you’re often up by 5am. I can’t complain though, you nap pretty well every afternoon too.

You’re now tolerating soya, which is brilliant as it opens up your diet so much. We went to the paediatrician last week and we are now safe to start the milk ladder too, so fingers crossed you may have grown out of your CMPA too.

At 16 months old, you’re loving

Kisses – Big old wet ones, which are just the cutest.

Cuddles – You come up to us with your arms open wide and you will snuggle for ages. You’re a really affectionate little thing and if you’re upset or worried or hurt, you’ll always come for cuddles. I hope you always do, as they’re just the best.

Climbing – Your climbing continues, and you will literally get up anything you set your mind to. You love standing on the toilet seat, the dining room table, the toy box, radiator covers, the list is endless and makes my heart race every time. You have total tantrums every time I take you down and tell you no, but one day you’ll understand it was for your own safety.

Dogs – every time we see a dog when we are out, you will either run after it, or practically try to climb out of your buggy, calling ‘woof woof, woof woof’. You adore nanny and grandad’s dogs too and think they are hilarious.

Water – paddling pools, splash parks, puddles, the bath, it doesn’t matter what form, or even what the weather’s like, if you see water, you’ll get straight into it. Even if you’re fully clothed.

Food – You still eat really well. You know what you like and don’t like, but if you do like something, you’ll wolf it down. Your favourites are bolognaise, meatballs, bananas, apples and toast. You wont eat biscuits or cake. Weirdo.

As each day passes, I swear you get more and more character. You are sassy, sweet, fiery and gentle, the perfect mix of extremes. You are the funniest little girl and you’re always making us laugh. But you have the most epic tantrums and your screams are just ridiculously loud and ear piercing. You’re exhausting, but in the best possible way, and I love watching you find new things to explore and do and play with.

I adore your gentle, loving side, but I equally love the way you stomp straight into every situation with a total lust for life. Don’t ever change gorgeous girl, you’re perfect and I could not love you more if I tried.

Keep roaring like a dinosaur, keep cuddling like a baby.

All my love,

Mama xxx