Walking & Talking

You are doing so many new things that it's hard to keep up. A few of them are: you hug and kiss. Sometimes when you hug, you pat us on the back. I guess because we do that. When you kiss (which you don't do quite as frequently) it usually involves sticking your tongue on our lips. You are getting to be a super fast walker as well. Yesterday at Walmart, you didn't want to be in the basket or even to be held. You wanted to walk. Which was fine, except that you wouldn't walk in the direction that I needed you to. You had your own agenda.

Daddy roared at you one evening and so for the past two evenings you've been walking around "roaring" which is really just screaming at the top of your lungs. It's impossible to watch t.v. or talk on the phone while you are practicing, but it's funny.

You are less than two weeks away from your first birthday. You still shake your head no, and now you shake your head yes. You call me and daddy and the dogs "da." Sometimes I am "mama" but not very often. Alot of times I will say a word and you will repeat it to me, like "Hi", but you don't usually say it on your own. I think you are more interested in conquering the physical world than speaking.

You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone...Or Not

I left you overnight with your grandma and grandpa for the very first time. And, do you know what? You didn't even know I was gone. As soon as you saw me this morning, you looked up from grandma's arms and said, "Dada?" You little stinker. You were supposed to miss me! At least a little bit. I'm pleased that you did well. It would have been hard to leave you if you'd been bawling. But, I thought maybe when you saw me you'd be happy. And, you were...unfortunately, you were just happy because you were hoping I brought Daddy with me.

Pointing, Pillows, & The Wave

You are really something else, Little Miss. Tonight was the first time you've ever manipulated your mommy and daddy. Daddy told you that you couldn't touch the buttons on the t.v. and so you started to cry like he was breaking your heart and then you bee lined it over to mommy for comfort. Daddy said you are a girl, and therefore, already know how to work the system. After you had a good fuss in my arms, I set you down and you walked over to the t.v. (about 6 or 7 feet away) letting your intentions be known the whole time by pointing your finger at the buttons on the television. You may have been pitting mommy and daddy against each other and manipulating that way, but as far as deviousness goes--you've got a thing or two to learn.

You've also started to have a thing for throw pillows. You pick one off the couch or off the bed and walk around the house with it in the evening when you are tired. You hold it in front of you with both hands and then when you get tired, you lay it down on the floor, and then you lay down on it sucking your two fingers and holding one ear (ala your grandpa Allen).

You wave hello and goodbye all the time now as well. Your wave is very circular. In fact it looks like you are doing wrist rotations. It's so cute. I can't wait until we get our new camera because our old one broke and I don't have any new pictures of you to post.

Pinch an Inch

So, your newest skill is pinching. I think I preferred the dancing. You really enjoy pinching Mama's stomach. And since your fingernails are always sharp--even when I've just trimmed them, it hurts! You do it over and over, and I tell you "no" but I think you like the way it feels. Sometimes you pinch me when you are frustrated because I won't let you do something. But, mostly I think it's just a new (painful) discovery. You don't pinch Daddy. But, then again, Daddy wouldn't mind so that probably takes some of the fun out of it.

User

You've been preferring your daddy over me for awhile now, but I think it's getting even more pronounced. Sometimes you cry if I take you away from him. I'll admit that I don't like it a bit, and I'm not ashamed to use my (excuse me, your) boobs to win you back. Grammy uses necklaces and jewelry to lure you in.

I think that you view daddy as a peer. He's always playing with you and making you laugh. I get to put you in bed, which isn't your cup of tea and change your clothes (another thing you hate). Mommy is also more strict than Daddy (which no-one ever would have suspected before you were born). However, when you are tired there is only one person that will do. Thank goodness that is still me. I deeply suspect it is because I possess something that is soothing to you, but I'm willing to be used. Because I love you so.

No Fear

Well, little girl. You are always doing new things. A few weeks ago I realized that I can't keep up anymore. You are walking all over the house, and you look just like Frankenstein when you walk. You chase the dogs, you hug Trudy (Sophie won't let you that close or you'd hug her too).

One of my favorite things that you do (I guess everything you do is my favorite) is put food on your toes. In your car seat I always hand you something to eat to keep you happy--you DO NOT LIKE sitting still. Anyways, you like to put your feet straight up in the air and then stick food on your big toe. I don't know why. I should mention that is always after you have ripped your socks off. Socks frustrate you. And, we may as well just forget about shoes. When I put shoes on your little feet you scream until you've taken them off. That's my hippy baby. We don't need shoes, do we?

We went over to some people's house last night and they had two huge dogs. The other baby there was terrified of them, but you didn't show the least hesitation. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. You really don't show fear very often at all unless someone is trying to hold you. Then you cling to me or to your daddy and lay your head down on our shoulder like you are shy. You aren't shy. You're just a stinker. A cute little stinker.

Dippin'

We went out to eat this past weekend and you happened to watch Daddy dipping his fries into some ketchup. Ever since you have been a dipping fanatic. You dip your cheerios into your yogurt, your bread into Daddy's bread. Doesn't matter what it is, you are dippin' it.

Dental Hygiene

I bought you a toothbrush a few weeks ago because you love helping us brush our teeth. As long as we brush yours too. So, you have your own toothbrush that you stick in your mouth. Then you help mommy brush her teeth with it every night in the bathtub. Rarely do you actually make contact with mommy's teeth, but you certainly try, and it makes you smile. Today I was in the bathtub and you were walking around the bathroom with your toothbrush and Trudy Lou happened to be laying there. So, you very sweetly attempted to brush hers. Thank goodness she didn't comply.