How your toddler's growing: Has your soon-to-be toddler taken her first unsteady steps yet? If not, she probably will soon, so keep your camera close by. (Don't worry if your baby seems perfectly content with cruising for now - some children don't walk until 17 or 18 months or even later.) As your baby takes charge of her own mobility, she'll be better able to satisfy her curiosity about the world around her. So don't be too surprised if she ends up decorating the wall with that crayon she found on the floor; now that she's getting better at using her hands, works of art will soon start popping up all over the place...

How your life is changing: Communication with your 13-month-old is getting more sophisticated all the time. She's probably got the hang of "Dada," "Mama," and a few other recognizable words, though she's still quite good at making her desires known without much vocabulary. When she wants down, she'll point down; when she wants your attention, she'll tug your shirt. She's also understanding a good percentage of the simple language you use around her every day, so be sure to talk to her and read to her as much as possible.

How your toddler's growing: Your baby is growing up fast these days, walking, talking a little, and probably even using a spoon or fork when she eats. Every game she plays, whether it's pointing to different body parts when you ask her to or puttin g objects into containers and taking them out again, teaches her about the world around her. One of the things she's learning is that she's an autonomous entity, not just an extension of you. How can you tell if your child has grasped this concept? Watch her in front of a mirror; if she recognizes herself and isn't trying to reach out and touch the "other" baby, she gets it.

How your life is changing: The way your child interacts with the world around her will tell you a lot about her temperament - how she's likely to respond to different situations, people, places, and things. For example, some children are flexible a nd adapt easily to change, others need a more predictable schedule. You can modify your child's environment to help her succeed. She's depending on you to make her feel comfortable. By respecting her needs, you can help her develop to her fullest potentia l.

How your toddler's growing: You may observe a spurt in physical development this month. Your toddler is surer on her feet, loves to climb all over your furniture, and can connect with a kick ball if she concentrates hard enough. She can also hold i n her mind a clear memory of an object well after you remove it from her vision. Take advantage of this new capability by playing hide-and-seek with her favorite toy. There may be days when all that physical energy is more than you can handle. Rather than fight it - after all, you can't do anything to change it - flip on some music, grab your little one, and invent some new dance steps together.

How your life's changing: As your child's "no's" come more frequently, so will your questions about how to discipline her. Set clear limits by telling her what is and is not acceptable behavior. She won't always remember what you've said, but with repetition she'll start getting the idea. And do your best to set a good example; model the kindness, respect, and good manners you'd like to see her demonstrate.

How your toddler's growing: Happy birthday! Just yesterday he was a baby, and now he's 2. Your child spent the bulk of last year developing his motor skills, like walking, running, and grabbing. This year you'll see a lot of changes in his thinking . About now he can form images in his mind, organize categories, and arrange things in order. His memory is also improving, and a minority of children at this age will already know their basic colors. Some can count up to five or even to 10. (For more on what's going on inside your child's head, see our feature.)

How your life is changing: You might be able to have a two- or three-sentence conversation with your toddler. He's learning new words, getting a handle on grammar, and getting better at describing his needs, wants, and ideas. As his sense of himsel f as a distinct person grows, he'll talk about himself - what he's doing, what he likes, and what he doesn't like.

How your toddler's growing: As your child nears his third birthday, you may notice him becoming curious about other people's moods - he may wonder why Grandma is angry or his brother is sad. Attempting an explanation ("Grandma is angry because her car isn't working") helps your child learn that emotions are normal and it's okay to talk about them - and may reassure him that he didn't do anything wrong. Your child is learning something about his own moods, too, and his natural disposition - be it quiet, adventurous, reflective, or communicative - is becoming more apparent. You can gently encourage him to explore different sides of himself, but make sure he knows that whatever his temperament, you love and accept him. For instance, you can help a shy child meet other children but never ridicule him. A general respect for how he responds to the world will help him feel secure and confident. As children get older, they take more interest in socializing. Your child is probably beginning to think of his playmates as friends, and he's learning that small kindnesses - like sharing and giving - are part of friendship. Many children, especially tho se without siblings, create imaginary playmates. Imaginary friends can show up between 2 and a half and 3 years of age. They can be a healthy part of your child's developing conscience and value system. They can provide solace and take responsibility for the things your child wishes he hadn't done. But most children lose interest in their imaginary friends by age 6.

How your life's changing: Everyone talks about the three's being terrible, but they fail to see how much 3-year-olds love helping around the house! They want to be part of the world around them, and they love and admire you. Your little one may want to help you set the table, fold the laundry, or pick up toys - and now is your chance to get some eager help while putting good habits in motion. Don't forget to encourage him with big appreciative hugs and kisses.