The Evolution of Speech

Sorry about the last post. I was really tired. I am not sure if I explained why…:-)

In my exhaustion, I failed to mention all of the personal growth you’ve had in the last month! Wow kiddo – you’re taking off! Your vocabulary is exploding. For the record – no matter what daddy says – your first was….drum roll please…..BALL. He’ll argue that it was Dada – which it probably was – but it wasn’t anything more than babble.

But now – my sweet babbling brook – you have about 15 good words. Let’s see if I can list them:
-ball
-wawa (water)
-baba (bottle – which you only get in the middle of the night – and that’s changing in about 2 weeks)
-Didi (Hadley)
-moo (cow)
-baa (sheep – and you say this with a little giggle to make it sound more like a sheep. It’s so cute!)
-boon (balloon – you love watching the hot air balloons fly over our house in the morning)
-moon
-mama/mommy
-dad/daddy
-Ba
-my/mine (you LOVE these!)
-poon (spoon – which is so funny because that’s exactly how your sister said it!)
-baby

You love reading. LOOOOOOOVE it. You would read constantly all the time. If anyone sits on the floor, it’s an automatic invitation for you to sit in their lap and hand them a book. Your current faves are (in no particular order):
-Belly Button Book
-I love you, Goodnight
-Eric Carle’s ABC Book
-Good Morning, Good Night
-Moo Baa La La La

And then last night, during family story time, you discovered to joy of The Adventures of Isabel. This was one of Hadley’s first favorites, and I think it will be one of yours, as well.

I would be remiss if I didn’t address the sleeping thing again. I think we may have figured out – at least a bit – what is going on. You’re a bit attached to me. So when you’re in my arms in the middle of the night, you realize that nowhere else will do. So we’ve switched it up a bit and daddy is handling a bulk of your mid-night wakings. It’s working. He can get you cuddled, cozy and back in your crib in about 15 minutes. You little bug – you love your mama.

And I…loveyoumadly.
mama

Eighteen Months

You have sleep issues.

There, I said it.

Just when we got through the multiple times a night cry-fests you go and a) stop napping on the weekends (ARGH!!!) and b) created the new daily wake-up time of 5:15 a.m.

You're killin' me kid.

But you're cute. And we love you madly. And we're holding onto the logical thought that this is just a phase. And you'll once again fall into a normal sleep pattern. Whatever that is.

I am going to go take a nap under my desk now.


iloveyoumadly.
mama

PS - you're officially talking now. You've got about 15 words. I think your whole world is going to change in the next 6 months!

17...and a half....Months

My sweet little Bear.

You are one funny nugget. You've got more personality in your pinky finger than most people do in their entire body. That's not to say I know what to do with all that personality all the time! But I sure do have fun with you.

You've become a bit of a "barnacle" these past few months. It all started with our anniversary trip to Telluride. Nana and Papa came out for a long weekend to stay with you guys. You did really well. And then we left the following weekend for Salt Lake City, and left you with Grandma and Andpa. And that's when it all started going downhill. You woke up multiple times a night, not going back down, crying hysterically and requiring that you be held. At. All. Times. This has basically continued until very recently. Daddy and I decided to systematically get you BACK TO NORMAL! It's working. Without going into too many bring details, we've instituted a very strict bedtime routine for both you and your sister, involving family story time in Hadley's bed, a short rocking chair snuggle upstairs in the dark with you, and then putting you down before you are asleep. This is the key. Sometimes you cry, sometimes you're fine (you mostly cried.. A LOT... until this last week. We think you're getting it now - we're not leaving you). Anyway - as much as we completely adore you and love you to death, it's been a bit exhausting. Add your sister's occasional nightmares and we're downright walking zombies.

But on the bright side, this has been the summer of grandparents! You've seen them all - multiple times. You also got to spend time up at Taylor Lake with your cousins Sophie and Josephine - this was the first time you ever met the Carters. It was so special for all of us. Aside from the cold and rainy weather that prevented a lot of outside activity, you were a trooper and had a lot of fun.

You've also had this chronic runny nose. I feel horribly for you. We actually had to use Benadryl for a few consecutive nights - multiple times - this summer. Though it helped you sleep, I always feel a little guilty about using it - like we're cheating you of the opportunity to heal yourself. But it was like the last straw - you were already so off kilter it really was just one less thing you needed to deal with in the middle of the night!

And yet through all of this you still have the uncanny ability to make everyone around you laugh! And no one - I mean no one - gives hugs like you. You link your little fingers around our necks and squeeze so tight! It's like getting a shot of pure joy right down to my soul.

I love you so much. At the end of the day you are still one of the sweetest, most loving and intelligent kids I know. I absolutely love every second of being your mommy.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

Bodhi

So the DeRoma's came over last night for dinner. It was great fun. As you know, we've pre-arranged your marriage to Bodhi, so we were THRILLED when you wanted to lavish him with hugs and kisses.

The best part? When he finally figured out what was going on and leaned in to kiss you - and you french-kissed. Slowly. Like out of a soap-opera.

I don't remember the last time I laughed so hard!

iloveyoumadly.
mama

Sixteen Months (or Separation Anxiety part deux)

Things have improved around here a bit since my last entry. THANK GAWD!!!! You are still not quite back to normal, but the shrill shrieking and fear of being in your crib seems to have subsided. You still require a lot more rocking in the chair and being lulled to sleep than you did before, but I will take it any day over what we went through the last 2 weeks. Besides - I know that sooner than not, you won't want to have these cuddly moments with me anymore. Does it a physically hurt me a little bit to be deprived of 45 minutes of sleep here and there throughout the night? Yes. But I love you so much it mostly just makes me feel good that I can comfort you when you need it.

So the weekend with Grandma and Andpa actually went really well! Though one night you did require Grandma to sleep on your floor (or so she says. I love her dearly but she is a bit random). But it was GREAT bonding time for the two of you. As we expected, you transferred your attachment issues from me to her while we were away. I think she loved every ounce of your neediness. :-)

While they were here you had great fun with their puppy Val. She was so patient with you as you hugged and loved and sat on her. You love puppies so much! You squeal with joy whenever you see one - small and yippy, big and fluffy - you don't care. It's precious.

So here you are 16 months old and I am completely blown away by how much you have grown this summer in terms of development. The way you interact with us, with your sister (OH how you love her!), with your friends at school...it's wonderful! And your understand of what we say to you has grown incredibly as well. I love watchin every minute of it.

You aren't a baby anymore.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

Separation Anxiety

So the last week has been interesting. You went in for your 15 month check-up - all is well! You're tall and skinny. Go figure. :-)

But you also got your shots - and ran a fever for a few days. Of course, we figured it was nothing other than a mild reaction so we didn't do anything. Once again, I win the "mother of the year" award.....you had another ear infection. GAH! Needless to say, we haven't slept much in the past few days.

But last night? Last night was HANDS DOWN THE WORST NIGHT'S SLEEP EVER!

Here's the story:
Grandma and Andpa arrived yesterday afternoon with Val. They are here to watch you and Hads so daddy and I can head to SLC for work for a few days. You were great! Lots of hugs and love for everyone - so I figured this 'separation anxiety' you've been going through might be over. But no. Since Nana and Papa were here last weekend to watch you guys while daddy and I went to Telluride - FOR A VACATION!!!! - the smarty-pants that you are realized that another set of grandparents must mean we're leaving you again. So last night when you woke up - at 11 p.m. - you screamed bloody murder every time I tried to put you back in your crib, and clung to me like a barnacle. So you know what we did? We - OK YOU - ended up sleeping next to me on the air mattress in the playroom, as I watched. No sleeping for me. I know tonight will be some of the same, and I need to get on a 7 a.m. flight. Poor mommy. Please know that I love you madly and feel so badly about making you so upset. But I am still leaving. And you will figure out that it is OK to hang out with Grandma and Andpa for 2 days without me.

I hope you still love me when I get home.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

FIFTEEN MONTHS

Well hello my naughty little nugget. :-) Ok - maybe not naughty. But ....well, mischievous. You are so damn cute - it's what saves you sometimes, I swear. Before I get too far into this entry, let me once again tell you how much I love you. Like "my heart explodes with pure joy" kind of love. I feel it's necessary to mention that because this might sound like I am venting to you about your naughtiness. I'm not - but I think it's worth mentioning in detail so we can recount some of these stories at your wedding. Kidding. Not really.

Issue #1: you bite. At home we see this coming because one of us is almost always playing with you when it happens. And if it is just you and Hadley, even she sees it coming now. This just means that rarely do we need to do more than stop you before it happens. But it's a different story at school. Apparently you've become a bit of an Alpha Female (mama-pride kicks in here) and inflict your powers upon any unsuspecting toddler that gets in your way/sits in the Elmo chair/generally breathes in your direction without permission. I exaggerate - but you get the idea. You haven't broken the skin on anyone yet, so we haven't had to sign any papers or anything. But everyday when we go to pick you up (this is generally Daddy's role)there's the dreaded fear that we'll have to chat with Brittany about your biting. Sigh.

Issue #2: Getting in trouble makes you laugh. And run away. Laughing. Discipline does not work for you. Yet. We'll find a way. This is in stark contrast to your sister who cries if you look at her cross-eyed. it's not like you get in trouble a lot - let's get real - you're 1. You can't get into that much trouble. But you sure think it's funny when we're not happy with you!


But as we shake our heads and (secretly) laugh, we are also overcome with your capacity to love. Honestly B - you are the. most. affectionate. child I have ever known. Just thinking about how you hug me makes me tear up and get all gooey inside.

You are my Baby Bear.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

Hind Sight is ALWAYS 20/20

So you know how I just told you that this week has been hard, and we are trying to be patient as you work your way through this transition? Well it turns out this entire week you were suffering silently with Hand Foot & Mouth disease. You poor thing. I feel so bad. And there's nothing we can do about it other than just ride it out.

I love you nugget. I hope you feel better.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

Fourteen Months

You turned 14 months on Monday! And it was a BIG BIG day. You moved into the Tod 1 room at school. I had to check Hadley's blog to make sure - and I confirmed - that this is a whole month and a half earlier than when she moved over. I bring this up because it hasn't been the easiest transition. But then again, no transitions for you are. You are so sensitive and so loving - just like your sister - but you also tend to form very strong bonds with people you trust. In this case, you formed a wonderful bond with your infant teacher, Diana. So strong in fact that everyone - including Andrea, the Director - was curious as to how you would react to moving over to the Tod 1 room. Andrea thought moving you over "cold turkey" - meaning no 1/2 day visits or anything - was the best route, given your issue with transitions. Daddy and I agreed. But MAN! You are not loving it right now. You quickly formed a bond with Brittany - but that means that anytime someone other than that is in the room, your go ballistic. We'll make it through this - I know we will. A few weeks from now this will all be a distant memory, but in the meantime you're breaking my heart...

On a positive note, you seem to be adjusting to all the other parts of this transition pretty well....sitting at the table for meals and snacks like a big girl, playing outside, circle time....and really, you're even surviving the one nap a day thing! Although so far none of your naps have lasted longer than 1 hour, which makes for an ornery little B Bear at night. :-) On Monday, your first day in the room, at around 10:30 a.m. you found a soft pillow on the floor and fell asleep! According to Brittany this was adorable (it sounds adorable!!) - and lasted about 15 minutes. But other than that, you've taken a nap with the rest of your class on your little bedroll. Hopefully, as you adjust to all of this, your naps will increase in length.

I love you so much baby. It breaks my heart every time we go through one of these "transitions" with you because you just don't like them. But I know we will make it through this, and you will come out the other side my shining star like you always do.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

13 Months

What a big month this has been for you! You are walking. It's official. You still fall down a lot, and you mostly look like a drunken midget with your teetering, but there's no denying that walking is your favorite mode of transportation (aside from being carried in our arms.....). :-) I think that means you'll be heading to the Tod 1 room soon! I have never been one of those moms who doesn't want their kids moving to the next room - I say "Bring it on!" It means you'll continue to expand your horizons and learn how to play and learn with the older kids. I think some moms get nervous because it is such a big change from being pampered and coddled in the nursery to having rules, organized play and eating at the table. But both you and Hads always seem to embrace new opportunities. It is exciting!

One thing we need to work on in the coming weeks is your acceptance of milk from a sippy. You have no issues drinking water in a cup - but you still demand your milk in a bottle. We're working on it - eventually you won't have a choice!

The other transition you seem to have difficulty with is babysitters/separation anxiety. Even though your only babysitters (aside from Ba who isn't babysitting much right now due to her school schedule) are teachers from school (Linnea and Katie) - and people you trust - you are not fond of being left alone at home with them. Especially when it comes to bedtime. Apparently you have given both girls a run for their money at bedtime - something you never do for us. You are such a happy girl 99% of the time - something even strangers comment on about you - but MAN! when you get upset, there's no stopping you until you just wear yourself out. I think the only way to get over this is to continue to expose you to other people putting you down. Oh darn. I guess that means daddy and I need to go out more often.... :-)

I am anxious to see what the next few weeks bring for you. As the weather SLOWLY turns to Spring (I actually think with this ridiculously cold and wet weather we're having that we may just skip Spring and go straight to 98') I look fondly toward the days where we all just play outside and you and your sister chase each other around the yard. What fun you two are starting to have together! There isn't a luckier mom in all the world.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!

I cannot believe my baby girl is 1 today! I am so conflicted....thrilled that you continue to grow and develop and amaze me every day. And sad that I won't have any more babies to snuggle and hold. I guess that is the definition of a mama. Maybe you'll find it in your heart to lavish me with hugs and kisses from time to time.... :-)

You are going to walk any minute now. In fact, it could be happening at school as we speak! You are so ready. You find so much joy in being able to quickly stand up and then stand on your own for a few seconds! It is so cute. Your whole world is going to change. Or maybe that's my world..... :-) The freedom we both will find in your ability to walk will be amazing! For you, it will open up so many doors! You'll be able to do pretty much everything your sister can do, and for me it will mean I don't have to carry you around or hold onto you when we're outside watching Hadley ride her bike. You'll be able to run around behind her! (Or in front of her as the case may be!)

I tried very hard to find you a cake with a frog on it. I can't find one. I thought about making you one, and then quickly thought better of that idea. Your party is Saturday - come 4 p.m. you will have some sort of frog-themed cake. I promise. Saturday's attendees include Uncle Brad - your one and only God Parent (at the moment anyway), Aunt Lolly, Uncle Dero, Aunt Mags and Bodhi and of course, your Ba. It should be fun!

I get all teary just thinking about how much I love you. Slow down the growing up a little bit, would ya?

iloveyoumadly.
mama

Eleven Months

My sweet sweet BEAR!! My heart aches a bit as I write this. I no longer have any babies…you’re officially becoming a toddler.

First of all – let me shout something from the rooftops: YOU’RE EATING SOLIDS LIKE A CHAMP!!!!! And I mean all solids: you not only take food from a spoon (VOILA!!) but you eat chicken, beans, peas (sometimes), sausage, bagels, bananas, and your favorite…french fries!! It is such a relief to know you won’t be 4 years old taking only bottles of milk. Ha.

And though you may have been slow to start all your gross motor development you sure are making up time now! You went from doing nothing from your Larson Belly Crawl to “almost cruising” during the 2 weeks your daddy was in China! He was so amazed when he came home – you were a completely different baby girl! Oh – and did I mention you got all 4 of your upper teeth during this time, too? So your entire face changed! You’re adorable.

We’re less than a month away from the big FIRST BIRTHDAY! In fact, I ordered your invitations today. I want to put you in the freezer and cheer you on at the same time.

iloveyoumadly.
mama


BTW - did I mention that you fell down the stairs? Yep - that's right. One night while your daddy was in China the three of us were upstairs getting you ready for bath. I thought you were right behind me in the bathroom, but I turned around and both of you were gone. Hads opened the door to get something out of your room, and apparently you decided to take a trip down the stairs! You rolled ass over tea-kettle almost all the way down, but somehow miraculously stopped yourself in the sitting position on the second-to-last step. I almost threw up, grabbed you and started crying. I am such a delinquent mother. I still haven't told your daddy.....

Bottle Starving

In an effort to try to get you to eat more solid foods, we've started bottle starving you a bit. Nothing cruel or unusual, just eliminating your after school bottle so you'll be more likely to eat dinner. Apparently it's working! This photo is from last night - you were pounding down the pasta and broccoli! Granted, you needed help to get it to your mouth, but when you did - WATCH OUT! You almost bit off your daddy's finger!

iloveyoumadly.
mama

Ten Months

OHHHHHHHHHHH you are growing up so fast! You - quite possibly the most scrumptious baby on the planet. You discovered your knees. I mean, that you can get up on them to see what marvelous things have been out of your reach all this time. You aren't crawling yet - you still seem to prefer the Larson Baby mode of transportation on your belly. But you're THRILLED with the prospect of being able to reach up and grab the top of the busy zoo and all it's magical delights, and your new found affinity for crawling up and over our laps as we sit with you on the ground, and .... here's the big one.... THE STAIRS!! OH THE JOY!!! You love the stairs. Except you're not quite strong enough to navigate them by yourself. (Really - you're not even close). But oh how you'll try! If we aren't paying attention, you will scoot your way into the dining room and before we know it you are up on your knees with your hands on the first step contemplating your next move. Hadley loves this game! She scrambles up to the top of the stairs and tries to encourage you climb up. And since you worship her every move, you squeel with delight at the prospect of actually reaching her on your own. It's so great!

You're also getting what appears to be multiple top teeth. It's weird though - I can see them, but I can't feel them. I am so anxious to see what kind of smile you'll end up with.

One of the sadder developments of the past month has been that we discovered you are constipated. Or at least you have very.hard.poops. And as your mommy and daddy it is awful to watch. It isn't everyday, but quite often. So we've resorted to giving you a bit of prune juice in your morning bottle. We had to experiment with the amount..... let's just say I've done a lot of laundry over the past month. :-) But I think we've got it down now, and it appears to be working. We've decided to just keep this going for a while since you don't object and seeing you struggle in pain when you are constipated is just heart-breaking. I really hope you grow out of it!

You are such a beautiful little girl. Your huge blue eyes, silky blond hair and china-doll skin melt my heart. Well, that and your unbelievably advanced gift for understanding the power of a hug.

You are one snuggly girl.

iloveyoumadly.
mama

Nine Months

WHOAAAA! How are you 9 months old already? As you can see, it's been a while since I've updated this little journal of yours. The last two months have been a bit intense. One day after you turned 8 months old, I had major surgery. I spent pretty much the entire second-half of December on the couch unable to do anything but get up occasionally to go to the bathroom! I am recovering now - back at work and doing really well. But the worst - absolute WORST part about this situation - is that I am unable to pick you up or carry you. I can hold you in my lap if someone else puts you there, but that's about it. It was so emotionally difficult the first few days - I really had no idea how hard it was going to be not to be able to carry you and hug you and overall be your main source of comfort.

But on a really positive side, you and your daddy are now inseparable. Oh my, how you love him so. During my initial recovery, you - of course - came down with a WICKED ear infection. Your 4th ear infection. In 8 months. You were up all night for about a week, and poor daddy had to help all by himself. I couldn't do anything. So you were both up all night for days, rocking in the chair, singing songs and cuddling. Aside from being devastated that you were in so much pain and that I couldn't do anything to help you, it was so heart-warming to see you two bond. I have my 6 week check-up in a week and a half, and I am hoping he'll say I'm all healed and in the clear. But my guess is it's going to be until the middle of February...... in the meantime, your relationship with daddy is growing stronger everyday.

So on the topic of health, yours is still all over the place! Like I mentioned above, you've now had 4 ear infections in your short little life. They've already started mentioning tubes. We'll see. COME ON APRIL!!!!! And right now you're suffering from your first round of constipation, which brought with it a ripe case of diaper rash from your hard little poops. If it's not one end, it's the other I guess.

You are now fully sitting on your own, and even learning how to stand when hanging onto things like your toy piano! It's so exciting to watch. You can go from sitting to your army crawl really quickly, and pretty soon I bet you'll be able to get your belly off the floor and really crawl! Though I don't think it matters much - your army crawl is so fast! It's really funny to watch. Your sister was the same way - so it's either that we have tile floor which makes the army crawl really easy, or it is some genetic thing that made neither of you decide to get up off the floor.

Because of my surgery, you were really fortunate over the past month to see all of your grandmothers! Nana came first, then Grandma and Grammy, Gramps and Uncle C just left today. You loved all of them so much! Gramps thinks you might be one of the funniest babies he's ever met. He's convinced you look at us all like we're fools - especially when you throw that knowing smile. You don't give up the smiles easily. Most of the time, you smirk at all of us trying to get you to smile - as if you're sitting there going, "Seriously, people. You're not funny. Bring your A game."

Man I can't wait to see what you're going to be like in a few years.

iloveyoumadly.
mama