DCD is awesome!

Daycare Debbie told me this afternoon 'lil Miss sang "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". The 3 Little Ladies were singing songs just before 'lil Miss had her snack. While she snacked on some cheese and crackers, the other 2 girls were singing and playing at the table. Miss was all quiet and watching and then, when everyone was quiet for a moment, my smart 'lil Miss started singing! DCD and her oldest looked at each other in amazement and disbelief as they realized what she was singing.

Miss is learning all kinds of new things. Very recently she said, and signed, "thank you." She's learning manners!! She also signs and says "cheese" and "shoes", although, many times her "sign" just looks like "more".

Last night after I laid her down for bed I heard her practicing names. I heard "em-E" and "O-mA", "O-pA", "da-DY" and "pop-PA". She still often talks and sings before she falls asleep.

On our way home today we visited my dear dear friend Linda. She played nicely with her cell phone (thank you Oma!) and a pad of paper while I had a little visit. What a good girl! Later, Linda's kitty came out of the back bedroom and 'lil Miss was SO EXCITED TO SEE THAT KITTY!! I asked her to "sit on your bottom, please" and to my surprise, she immediately did. She used gentle touch and quietly (for a 1 year old) held out her hand for kitty to smell. A little later, Linda's mom served us a piece of pie and gave me a little plastic cup of water. It was the perfect size. 'lil Miss was SO thirsty! She needed more and more and, "Hey! I'll just do it myself" she finally insisted. So I let her try and she picked the cup off of the table and put it to her lips and drank ALL BY HERSELF!

Daycare Debbie is awesome!

she's walking!!

Big news- 'lil Miss is finally walking by herself. Sometimes. She can walk sevearl feet unassisted, but still prefers a finger. And she would also like you to go where she would like to go.




She started pointing last week. Very deliberately. Often it's towards the door because she loves to be outside. One of her favorite things is my flower beds. How long before she can help weed? I didn't get to any of my (many) beds last year and it is obvious! She's usually in bed by 7pm and it's still light out so I may be able to get some done in the evenings. Except that I'm also trying to get things done inside. So many things to do!

Obligatory photo:

What I've been up to:



My MIL was here last weekend. She does alot of handwork so I picked up The Man's sock. I couldn't believe when I picked it up it was all set to turn the heel. My absolute favorite part. I feel so clever when I make this tube bend. I got together with my gal pal L saturday and did some more. And now I want to do it all the time. It's going to be carried around in my purse again (instead of hiding in a corner of my office) so I can do a round or two here and there.



I also started a Nursery Bag for 'lil Miss. The fabric I found is fabulous. It's got orange, yellow and browns. Big flowers and butterflys. Cute but not cutsey. I'm trying to cross-stich her name on the front but I am remembering why I HATE to cross stitch. Yuck-O. I didn't want to pay $12 for a book with alphabet patterns. I didn't find anything on line I liked so I printed her name in huge font and stapled it to the cross stitch fabric. The back is a bit of a tangled mess. So far I have this much done. "/"



Today is try-to-get-as-much-house-work-as-possible-done-before-things-get-crazy-busy-day. My chore list includes preping meals for the week, lots of laundry (which The Man helped with this weekend- he rocks!). I also went through some of the clothes that aren't fitting Miss. Those need to go into the bins downstairs and I'll "shop" in the next size bin. I also want to get my office cleaned up so it's easier to work on my projects. You know, when I get my chores done!

Junk Day

Our little city has a Spring Clean Up Day. The City will pick up all the junk you haul out to the curb. Even appliances. I think the only restriction is leaves and grass clippings!! (Those get picked up on a separate day)

So last night The Man cleaned out the garage and created a big pile at our curbside. Not only did we get rid of a lot of space-sucking-stuff, we also found the rake! (last weekend I had to use the one with the heavy metal tines- it should be used for weeding or breaking up rock-hard earth, not raking leaves).

Last evening, through the night, and still this morning there are trucks and minivans, and even a car with a trailer, cruising up and down the streets picking through our "treasures". I wasn't surprised when a couple people picked out some scrap wood. But when I started seeing several trucks every 15minutes or so...

Our junk pile is noticeably smaller this morning. The stream of trucks has slowed, but the speed they drive past has increased.

First Steps!

Last night I called my parents and told them how 'lil Miss went from standing up against the cupbard door to monkey-crawling, then crawling. She first carefully put one hand flat on the ground (while holding tight to the cupboard with the other hand). She stood up and then cautiously put both hands on the floor and monkey-crawled a few steps (keeping her legs straight) before crawling on hands and knees.

Today she begain standing by herslef for several minutes at a time.

And tonight she took 3 steps! Then she leaned forward and put both her hands on the floor, keeping her knees straight. She held that position for a couple seconds before getting onto her knees and crawling. She lowered herself forward instead of onto her bottom like many babies. She certainly has a mind of her own! (I wonder she gets that?)

something new everyday

A couple weeks ago she started crawling. She just took off as if she'd been doing it for weeks already. She doesn't crawl much- instead she cries and whines for you to come hold her hand(s) so she can practice walking. She is cruising along the furniture, but hasn't pulled herself up yet. (any day now)

This morning she pushed herself around on her little car and she stood up and held on (but hated doing it). She can stand alone for several seconds and she's starting to take a quick-little-half-step, but then falls forward for you to catch her. She's very determined, but cautious and careful.

Miss is eating big-girl food. She is done with oatmeal! She still likes applesauce and yogurt, but everything else should be put on her tray for her to pick up herself. She loves cheese- even extra sharp cheddar!

She is often sitting up, on hands and knees or, more and more, standing up holding onto the railing of her crib. She says a sharp, high pitched ! HI ! when I walk in to get her. (one of the best things ever)

She knows "mamam" and "dada" or "dady" says "hi" and waves goodbye. She signs "all done" and understands "milk" but hasn't done it herself yet. She can use a sippy cup but prefers you hold it for her.

ready to go

Miss is still not crawling. Doesn't seem interested. She wants to WALK. All the time. She doesn't scoot and try to pull herslef up on anything. She just calls for you to come help her.

(This is what I imagine she is thinking)

Hey Lady, come here. Don't you dare leave me alone for a single second. HEY! I can't see you! Where'd youg go! I'm freaking out over here! Are you unable to hear me? HEY! Oh, there- I can see you- I want you to come over here. NOW.

What took you so long? Seriously. (cause she watched Grey's in
utero, so she knows the lingo) Now that you're here, give me your
thumbs. NOW. We do this all day long. Why are you not
getting this?

Ok, now I want you to follow me. Don't let go! I'm really
interested in this thing over here. What is this? Hmmm...
Don't let go. No, I am not ready to move on. I want to stay right
here at look at this here thing. Don't rush me! Ah, yes. It is
the same as last time we were over here. Exactly the same.
huh. I sense you are uniterested in this? Maybe you aren't looking
closely. Oh, you've seen it before? Several times today?
huh. Ok. We can go. Let's go! No, I do not want
to go down the hall, I want to go into the kitchen. I totally realize it's
almost nap time. duh. why do you think I'm avoiding the hall?
seriously.

Assisted walking is her favorite thing right now. She's pretty focused on it. Fixated. While I'm not eager to chase her, my back is a little bit tired of bending over. It is fun to see what she sees and finds so interesting. Door hinges. Door knobs. The phone cord. The bottom dresser drawer. The smallest simplest things. It's forced me to slow down and get some perspective. Because I know in no time she will be running and she won't want me to carry her. And she probably won't want to snuggle and cuddle. So I'm trying to savor every moment.

Can't Quite Reach

'lil Miss is trying really hard to get whatever thing that is just out of reach. She bends her legs, then "walks" her hands out in front of her and stretches. And reaches. And can't quite figure out what to do with her leg that is under her belly. She's so close!!