We have not been to the doctor, so we do not have new height and weight measurements. She's still in her 12 month and 12-18 month clothes and a size 3 diaper. Bedtime remains at 7:30 and she sleeps until 6:30 or 7. Hopefully that will continue as we get ready to go back to school. She still takes 2 naps but it seems like she may be trying to give up her morning nap since sometimes it starts late. I think she needs a morning rest and will probably really need it once she's back at the babysitter's. While I will miss the break in the morning, it will be nice to only have to work with one naptime. She usually naps with her pacifier but it isn't helping with the morning nap like it had been. Bedtime has involved some tears for the last few nights because we are bottle-free. Her bedtime bottle was the last to go, and although she didn't fall asleep with it, she must have really loved it. She has cried herself to sleep each night she hasn't had it except for one when we got home late and tonight. Hoping we've turned a page! She is also cutting her top molars which doesn't help. Other than the new molars she still has 4 teeth.
Eating is so much better this month. Avery would drink whole milk out of her bottle but will not drink it from her sippy cup. I'm working on adding something to the milk but so far we haven't had any luck. I think this has left lots of room in her stomach because she is quite the eater. She is completely off baby food and mostly eats what we eat. She likes to self-feed but lets us feed her also. She does like some of the Gerber toddler foods like Pasta Pick-Ups, shells and cheese, and meat sticks. They aren't the healthiest so I try to only use them when we're having something she can't. Avery loves bananas and spots them on our counter. She also likes peaches, canned pears, and mandarin oranges. She loves sweet potatoes and most of the vegetables she's tried except for carrots. I can't blame her, but she did eat carrot baby food. She can eat chicken, ground beef, and deli meat. She tries and likes most of the casseroles we eat. For breakfast she loves yogurt and cries when it's gone. She also has oatmeal, waffles, or pancakes. She drinks water or water with a splash of juice. If she is eating and we ask if it's yummy she says "Mmmm." She has definately inherited her parents' love of food. The only allergenic foods we're holding off on are peanuts and shellfish. There are still many foods she hasn't tried, but the new molars will be a big help.
Avery still enjoys her toys. She likes to walk behind her push toys and has taken a few single steps as she lunges for something. These days she is just busy...crawling quickly everywhere, pulling up to see what she can get into, standing alone for long periods, crawling and peeking under things, raising up on her hands and feet with her head on the floor, etc. She still loves her books as well, especially her new cat books. She enjoys being read to but also likes to look through the books herself. Her newest love is Mickey. She dances if we mention The Hot Dog Dance or when she sees his picture on her book set, and if it's on she's dancing, smiling, and clapping her hands on her knees. She loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and would watch it alot more than I let her.
Avery is just as easily entertained by your not so typical items like feminine hygiene products (sorry have to include or one day I'll forget) scraps of paper, paper napkins, etc. Everything is interesting and is waiting for her to discover. She still loves lights and fans and reaches out for the switches now as we walk by. Her whole face lights up as we turn them on. Every light in Lolli and Poppa's house is usually on when I leave. She also thinks it's fantastic when anyone puts on sunglasses. If only life's pleasures could remain so simple. Anything that's full must be emptied, and when she's done with it it's tossed behind her back. She's getting some good distance on her toss, which only lengthens my cleaning time at night.
Kisses are still freely given around here and are often initiated by her. I love to sit on the floor while she climbs and loves on me. She shares her food, drink, toys, and pacifier readily but doesn't actually allow you to remove the object from her hand. She is still everyone's friend in stores and restaurants and has realized that she can attract an audience easily. Avery and Giraffi are becomming tighter by the day. Sometimes I do find Giraffi on the floor when Avery's waking up, but if you ask where she is she quickly begins her search. One night as I checked on Avery before bed I found Giraffi hanging on the crib rail. Not sure what kind of monkey business had been going on there!
Avery certainly has a lot to say, but I'm not sure what she's saying. She started out strong with mamama but has abandoned that sound for new ones. For awhile, alot of things were dada but that is slowing down too. Sometimes I think she uses dada correctly. We also think we hear Doodie (my nickname for Felix - probably a poor choice), kitty, hi, uh-oh, and D (Dixie). We'll all have to watch out when her chatter turns to actual words. I hardly babbled until I fell on my head at about 14 months and talked later than that, and I turned out ok (at least academically).
Diaper changes and wiping hands and face are still not too high on Avery's list. She doesn't mind being told no and will usually shake her head along with us. She's not always happy when we take something from her that she's enjoying though.
Avery went back to the babysitter today and had a great day, other than being a little clingy with Jennifer and a little jealous of the baby. She amazed everyone with her new skills and huge appetite. She seemed to do a little better with good-bye than I did. She was happy to see me this afternoon but not happy when I wouldn't let her chew a wipe or get down to put her face in Jennifer's cat's fur. Sometimes life is tough.
I know this is a super-long post, but there are so many things I want to be sure I remember. I love the cuddly baby stage but this by far beats it. Avery and I had a fantastic summer home together and I'm already looking forward to weekends, holidays, and of course next summer. I know things will continue to get so much more fun, but I also wish we could freeze time right now. Ned and I are so lucky to have Avery blessing our life each day.
2 comments:
Happy 13 months, Avery!
I think you could write my 13 month post on Paisley b/c Avery and Paisley are doing so many of the same exact things and liking the same things! Paisley's FAVORITE is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and she too lights up with laughter when it is on or you even mention the hotdog dance or even if she sees anything Mickey! She has a birthday card that had Minnie on it and she looks and plays with that everyday! They like so many of the same foods and play items including the feminine hygiene products...LOL! Still so hard to believe that they are already 13 months!
Post a Comment