What fun you are these days! Although we have our tough days (and always will), we find you are bringing us more and more joy as the days and weeks pass. We smile and laugh with you daily. We marvel at the new things you say, learn, and know. And we are amazed that the fun has just begun. Daddy and I are so thankful! Here's a run down of the month:
Eating and Sleeping:
Again, most is the same in this "category." Your appetite continues to vary by the day. It depends on the day how much and what you'll eat. You'll love something one day, and then turn your nose up at it the next. The best we can do is to continue to offer you good food, and encourage you to eat it! The trick is to also keep you from feeding your meals to the dog! You're getting there...
We are also still working on eating with utensils. Spoons are easier for you than forks. Sometimes you'll get really excited to use a fork or spoon, and then you'll proudly hold it, while you eat with your hands. Silly girl. :-)
You added the sign of "eat" to your signing repertoire - that's helpful!
Sleep continues to go very well. Sometimes there are a few peeps or cries in the night, but you have gotten very good at putting yourself back to sleep. The only time that doesn't work as well is when you're teething. We had a few rough nights over the last month, but we've had lots of good nights since (and a few teeth to show for those bad nights!). Hooray!
Likes and Dislikes:
Likes:
- Helping with chores - no joke! Your favorite is helping Mama unload the dishwasher. You help with the silverware - taking each spoon, knife, and fork out of the dishwasher and handing them to Mama one by one. You also like putting the washed laundry in the dryer.
- Turning the lights on and off. You think it's the funniest thing.
- Climbing the stairs like a "big girl." More often than not you like to climb the stairs on two feet rather than crawling - same with going down the stairs. It makes us a little nervous, but you do really well!
- Pointing out everyone's body parts...especially eyes. You like finding your belly button too. :-)
- Books - even more than last month. You love being read to, but you are also completely content sitting alone and "reading books" to yourself.
- Nothing new here - same as last month. You are mostly a very happy, content little lady. :-)
We just had your "15 month appointment" (1 month late) today. You did awesome! After developing a fear of the doctor right around a year, you did better today than you have since then. You cried for your shots (4, you poor girl) and measurements, but you were great for the rest! Proud mama!
Anyways, you were 22 pounds, 9 ounces, and 32" tall. I was surprised that you didn't weigh more than you did, but Dr. Khan said your growth has really leveled off (and that it's normal).
You are mostly in 18 month clothes. Some of them are all of a sudden seeming tight! Wow. Is it possible we'll be moving into 24 month clothes soon? Still size 3 diapers, 4s at night.
You really have worked hard at popping teeth. Since last month you have your bottom left hand side one (just to the left of the front), and your first molar (bottom left). You also JUST popped out a new one on the top (just to the right of your front tooth). I think the top left will be following soon, and perhaps the bottom right molar too...
Talking:
The language explosion continues! Incredible! It's a new word every day, and we are losing count of all the words you can say. Some new favorites: bubbles, banana (which you say bananana - CUTE!), baby, yogurt (gurt), ham, eggs, book. The list goes on and on. You are really starting to figure out animal sounds and body parts too, which is daily amusement for you - and us!
You continue to be very chatty. Although you do use lots of words, you also love to just chatter with "Linnea gibberish." It's so sweet. You talk with such conviction. We don't know what you are saying, but whatever it is, it's important!
Other Happenings:
- We celebrated Thanksgiving at Grammy and Grampy's again this year. We marveled at what a difference a year made. Last year you were literally the centerpiece of our table - sitting in your Bumbo seat chewing on your hands. This year you got to sit with us at the table and eat our Thanksgiving feast! We had a fun and relaxing day.
- You scared us one morning this month by climbing/falling out of your crib! We heard you chatting in the morning, and then heard a huge thud followed by screaming. Mama ran down to your room, and found you looking very surprised in the middle of the floor! Needless to say, we moved your crib down to the bottom level (we thought it already was...but discovered it wasn't!).
- The three of us got to go to a geocaching event together. It was on 12-12-12 - dinner/gathering at Champp's. We had a great time as Team BlueNorge and were so glad we could all be there. Lots of people liked meeting you, WeeNorge! :-)
- We've had fun getting into the Christmas spirit! In the last month we've enjoyed doing holiday activities with you. We visited a Christmas market with the Imbodens. Our relator Brent hosted a Christmas party at his office. You and mama got a picture with Santa (you weren't so sure of him...) and you got a temporary tattoo, which you really liked.
- Speaking of Christmas fun and traditions, we got our tree earlier this month. It was an interesting experience to say the least. You were fussy from the start, but then had a total meltdown before we were able to find a tree! We left with you and mama in tears and no tree! Plan B was to make a quick stop at a tree lot close to home. Mama was sad that the tradition was broken a little, but it all turned out okay.
- We got our first significant snow fall of the season - a storm that dumped a foot or more in most areas. This was really your first time experiencing snow since last year you were too little to really be in it. You aren't really sure what to think. The times we've taken you out you haven't really liked it - you're not sure how to move in all your snow gear, and I don't think you like being cold and wet. Uh oh...you are a Minnesota girl so you better get used to it!
We love you like crazy,
Mama and Daddy
