Busy, Busy Girl

I have been a very busy little girl. I recently turned 14 months old. I'm officially walking now. I've been taking steps here and there since I was about 12 months old and getting a little better and a little better all the time but in the last couple weeks I've pretty much perfected it and in the last few days I'm now walking more than I'm crawling.

I still have just the eight teeth - four on top, four on bottom. Still don't have too much hair but it's growing.

I like...not I LOVE to talk. I talk, talk, talk ALL. THE. TIME!! Some are actual words and a lot is just jabber chatter but I have a lot of fluctuation and emotion behind what I'm saying. To me - I'm really saying a lot, even though Mom and Dad can't understand all of it - yet.

I love to look at "pictees" (pictures) and point and ask, "oooz at?" (who's that)

On my most favorite things to do is to take a bath. I get so excited and repeat, "Baf, baf, baf, baf" over and over and over until I'm in.

I do have a long list of words though:
Dog, Blythe, eat, eyes, woof, up, please, bye-bye, nana, cheese, cracker, snow, tree, Santa, baby, pinky, hop, Minnie, yes, no, go ride, pictee (picture), who's this, book, monkey, bath, blue, green, pants, toothpaste, diaper, shoes, socks, hi

I've been working on my animals sounds. The ones I have down are;
Snake - hiss, Cow - Moo, Sheep - Baaa, Dog/Puppy - Woof, Tiger - Raaar, Monkey - ooo  ooo

I also know Santa says "Ho-Ho"

If we're out shopping I say "hi" to nearly everyone I see. They don't always hear me but sometimes they do and they respond back with a "hi" and a smile.

I know where eyes, nose, feet, belly and hair are. I do better at point out others eyes and nose than my own. I always just point to my chin for everything but on someone else's face I can differentiate.

I'm a very good sleeper at night and most days am a good napper. I go to bed for the night around 7:30 - 8:00 and get up 12 - 13 hours later.

Most days I take two naps that are 1 1/2 - 2 hours each. Occasionally I boycott one of them but like I said, most days I get both in.

I still need to have my pinky (taggie blanket) to suck my thumb. I won't suck my thumb without it and I won't calm myself without sucking my thumb - so therefore I need both my pinky and my thumb to fall asleep.

Something else that makes me so happy that Mom and Dad thinks is so weird is how much I like to hang upside down. Daddy will hold me by my legs upside down and I just love it. I will hang there happy as a clam, looking around. If he tips me up I push to go back down. If I'm fussy this makes me settle down.

 I think I'm big stuff when I'm up on the couch. It makes me so happy.

That's about all I've been up to. I love to laugh, snuggle, give kisses and play with mommy, daddy and Cohen. I'm growing fast and turning into a big girl.

Thanksgiving Time

I haven't even updated about Thanksgiving! Wow! We spent a few days back with family over Thanksgiving. We spent time with Granny, Grandpa Cota, Great Grandpa and Grandma Jones, Grandpa and Grandma Dahlstrom and both sides of their family, Ranzenbergers and Reisers.

We spent a night at Ranzenbergs and I got to play with Ryland. We had a great Thanksgiving.

Cohen and I with Great Grandpa and Grandma Jones

Some of the Grandkids and Great grandkids with Gram D.
Back: Brent, Flynn, Jasmyn, Cody, Trey, Lamista, Mercadees, Serenity, Gram, Reese, Daddy, Me, Cohen
Center: Bruce, Josh, Brian
Front: Shahn, Trevor, Dustin

Two Little Monkeys Rolling on the Bed

I love when I get to crawl and roll around on beds and couches etc...I get in a silly mood when I do that. One night before Cohen and I went to bed we were playing on his bed and I was silly as ever. We were making eachother laugh and Daddy was making us laugh too.

Reading With Daddy and Cohen

Most every night Mom or Dad reads me a few books before they put me to bed. Once in awhile Cohen will join in on the snuggles and story time. This was one of those nights....

Legos with Cohen

Cohen has been really into playing with Legos lately. They are too small for me but he got his Duplos out too and has been also playing with those. I like playing with them too so often we will both be playing with them. I like when I get to play with my big brother. He's pretty cool!

Trick or Treat

It wasn't my first Halloween but it was my first Halloween I got to go out and watch the kids trick or treat. I think next year I'll get to trick or treat myself. It looks like fun!

I was a good girl and glad the rain stopped and it wasn't too cold so I could go along.

Me, Dad and Cohen

Bella, Parker, Cohen and Me

Our friends the Lombardos. 

Me, Aiden, Andrea, Bella, Cohen and Parker

Carving Pumpkins

Last week we carved pumpkins at our house. I didn't get to help much but Mom and Dad tried to get me to grab some of the "guts" inside. I wasn't having any part of that. I would just look inside. Mom carved a Minnie Mouse pumpkin for me this year.

I'm ONE!!

Today is my first birthday! I had a great day! I started my morning as usual with breakfast. Then I got to do one of my favorite things - take a bath. I love baths. It's so fun to splash in the water. After my bath I got to do another one of my favorite things. I watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Then it was naptime, lunch time, pick up Cohen from school, nap time again - then it was time to celebrate a bit. We had my favorite thing for dinner - pizza! After dinner our neighbors came over to celebrate with me with cupcakes and they were so thoughtful and brought me gifts.



I loved my owl cupcake Mom made for me. It was yummy! And our neighbor friends spoiled me with great gifts. I got some new toys, some clothes and pajamas. Cohen got me a Minnie Mouse phone and Mom and Dad got me a Minnie Mouse car (ride on toy).

Saturday Mom and Dad hosted a family party for me. My grandparents, God parents, Aunt, Uncle and cousins all came to celebrate with me. Mom made ham and swiss sandwiches, turkey meat balls, and served chips, a fruit tray, a veggie tray and cake pops. She made me a special owl smash cake - just for me. Except I shared with Cohen because he really wanted a piece of cake.

I was spoiled again with many nice gifts. I got a doll from my Great Grandpa and Grandma Jones, card and money from my Great Grandpa and Grandma Cota, A baby Cinderella doll and princess potty chair from the Reisers and Ranzenbergers, a doll stroller, clothes, books and money from Grandpa and Grandma Dahlstrom, my very own little rocking chair from Grandpa and Grandma Cota, a Little People ferris wheel, a fleece snow suit, stocking hat and a home made clown from Granny, a play house, alphabet puzzle and outfit from Dolly, Kari, Reese and Flynn and an owl picture frame, animal crackers and a Minnie Mouse blanket with my name from the Jones family.

What have I been up to lately? Well, first I'll tell you how big I am (or how small I am) ;) At my 12 month check up I weighed 15 lbs 9 oz (2nd percentile), was 28 1/2 inches long (24th percentile and my head was 45 cm (52nd percentile).

Mom and Dad say I'm a pretty good little girl but I hear them say, "she's something" a lot. :) I think it's because I'm a bit more mischievous than Cohen was when he was my age - but that's ok. I like to open up drawers and empty then, or empty the dog toy box, or anything....really. I am a happy girl, I love to play with toys and love when Cohen plays with me. He makes me laugh. I am a good sleeper. An awesome sleeper really. I got to bed around 8:00-8:30 at night and sleep until about 8:00 or 8:30 i the morning. I enjoy just laying in my crib until someone comes to get me.

I normally nap around 10:00 -11:00 for a couple hours. I get up between noon and 1:00 depending on when I fell asleep and then have lunch. I play until it's time to pick Cohen up from school at 2:30. When we get back home around 3:00 I take my afternoon nap. I wake up just in time for Daddy to get home, we have dinner, play and head to bed.

I really like my Minnie car. Mom and Dad and sometimes Cohen push me around the house on it. I also really like my baby dolls. I give them hugs, kisses, sometimes feed them their bottle. :)

Eating - I really like to eat. :) For breakfast I usually have a banana...YUM! Bananas are one of my favorites. I either have peanut butter toast or cereal with it and my cup of milk. I'm doing really well with my sippy cup. I haven't had a bottle for a month or so and got the cup all figured out on how to drink it myself. It took a little while as I never wanted to even try to hold my own bottle and was the same way with the cup but I got the hang of it. I have three meals and sometimes a couple snacks during the day. I'm a pretty good eater. I am a good girl about eating fruits and veggies but my Dr. told Mom they need to give me as many calories as they can - so while Mom and Dad still want me to eat my healthy foods they also need to work in high calorie food with some fat.

I'm not walking yet but I'm really good at walking behind my push toys and I have take a few unassisted steps. I'll get it soon and then watch out!

It's been a great first year getting to know my family, learning so many new things and I can't wait to see with this next year has in store for me. By this time next year I'll be a whole different girl!! :)

Enjoying some of my owl cup cake on my actual birthday! 

Checking out my new ride from Mom and Dad. 

Opening gifts.

Me and my super hero. <3

Mommy and I opening my Minnie phone from Cohen. 

Birthday Party

Me with the cake Mommy made me. 

I love my brother. He's so funny!

Me with Grandpa and Grandma C.

Me with my Godparents, Danette and Dewey.

Me with Granny.

With my aunt Kari, uncle Brent, cousins, Reese and Flynn.

Me with Grandma and Grandpa D. 

Cohen and I with Mom.

Us with Mom and Dad.

Cohen helping me open gifts.

My cake Mommy made.

Cake pops Mom ordered.

My birthday theme.

My monthly pic!

First Steps

Last night I took my first official steps. I'm definitely not a walker yet but I did take three steps from Mommy to Daddy. I need to gain a little bit more confidence and I'll be ready.

Mom and Dad said they thought I was testing myself yesterday. Several times throughout they day they'd catch me standing and squatting, then standing, going up and down to see what I could do without falling. I'll never tell if that's what I was doing or not... ;)

Apple Orchard

Last weekend we went to Big Apple Orchard. It was my first visit to an apple orchard. I just rode in my stroller and watched Cohen pick apples but I did get to have some tastes of yummy treats while we were there.

Eleven Months Came and Went

I turned eleven months old earlier this week. I weigh approximately 16 lbs and am about 28" long.  Each day it seems I'm turning more and more into a toddler and less of a baby. Mom said she can really notice lately how much I'm changing and losing that "baby" part of me.

I'm doing a lot more jabbering and working on actual words. Some I know or are working on are "na-na" (banana), "da-da" (Daddy), "bah-bee" (baby - my doll), "bus" (toy school bus). 

I know where my belly is, I say "mmmmmm", wave bye-bye, and blow...like I'm blowing out a candle or something. 

I love to eat. Sometimes Mom and Dad aren't quick enough to get me my food. Dad says they have about 30 seconds once I'm in the highchair to get the tray. If the tray is already on they have about 10 seconds before I'm squawking about where my food is. I found my squeally, scream and Dad loves it let me tell you. :) 

I am not too picky yes when it comes to what I want to eat. I like most anything on certain days. Some days I'll eat an entire scrambled egg and other days I'll throw every piece of it on the floor. The most sure thing for breakfast is a banana and toast with butter. Mom made the mistake of trying to give me toast and jelly one morning. That didn't go over so well. 

I love fruit and most veggies - all the ones I've tried so far anyway and like my brother I love broccoli. 

Mom and Dad are so happy with how I am sleeping now. I go to bed around 8:00 and wake around 7:30-8:00 in the morning. Sometimes I see Dad and Cohen before they leave to take Cohen to school and some mornings I don't see them until they're home in the afternoon. 

I love my taggie blanket. Mom and Dad started calling it my "pinky". Dad said that was a good name for it because my Great Grandpa Jones calls me "Pinky" and my taggie has these pink tags on it that are a little rougher texture than the other satin tags but those pink ones are my favorite and the ones I always have to find before I can start sucking my thumb. I never suck my thumb without my "Pinky" but if I have my Pinky my thumb instantly goes in my mouth. 

I'm getting pretty close to walking. I can stand for a few seconds on my own but once I realize I'm doing it I immediately sit down. I do walk from toy to toy or toy to chair etc... and walk behind my push toy on the carpet and the hard floor. Mom and Dad don't think it will be long before I am confident enough to take off. 

I still love to watch and touch our dog, Marlie. Everything about her is awesome. She's very patient with me but sometimes gets annoyed by me so she jumps up where I can't reach her as easily. I'm still learning what "nice touches" are rather than smacking her face or pulling her mouth or ears but I am getting better. 

I miss Cohen when he's at school but am adjusting. The first couple weeks I was a little crankier than usual. Mom thought I was probably missing my main form of entertainment - the best big brother ever. I do enjoy playing in his room while he's gone and lucky for me he doesn't mind that I do that either. If I try to mess with what he's playing with at the time though - that's a different story. He doesn't really appreciate that. 

He makes me laugh and laugh though - really like no one else does. I do my biggest and loudest belly laughs at things he does. I really, really love him.

I like playing with my Leap Frog music table, Little People bus, Minnie, my baby (doll), ball jungle toy, shape sorter, even though I can't actually sort them yet I still like to play with it. I also like to be read too and I always want to turn the page.

We've been going on walks and I really enjoy the fresh air and riding in the stroller.

Hard to believe I'm almost ONE! It's been a fast, fun year. 

New Tricks and Words

I'm learning a few new tricks. One is where my belly is. Mom and Dad ask me, "Where's your belly?" and I pat my belly. I also love to bounce. Either when someone is holding me or when I'm just sitting there. If they ask me if I can bounce I bounce up and down - Daddy even caught me bouncing to music yesterday - so they told me that is called dancing. :)

I love to be held upside down. Completely upside down. I think it's so funny. I also have been getting up on my hands and feet and putting the top of my head down on the floor. Mom and Dad think that's pretty funny. 

Mom and Dad think I'm starting to get some words figured out. I have been playing with my doll quite a lot lately and I have a word for her that sounds a lot like 'baby' it's more like 'ba-bee" I definitely know and say "Da-da"and they think I also say "na-na" for banana. 

Ten Months Old Today

I am ten months old today! Double digits!! What have I been up to in the past month?

Well, I'm sleeping better - not that I was sleeping bad before but Mom and Dad say I'm sleeping like a rock star now! I got to bed around 8:30 and wake about 12 hours later.

Naps: I normally take two naps a day. A couple hours after I wake and the second one around 3:00 p.m. I usually sleep for a couple hours each time.

Eating: I'm eating a lot more solid food - all three meals and snacks. I usually have 2 or 3 bottles still. I always have one before bed and one before my nap. Sometimes I have one more late morning. They are usually 5-6 oz.

Some of my favorite foods are pizza, grapes, bananas, peas, broccoli, sweet potatoes, toast, scrambled eggs, vanilla yogurt and graham crackers.

I'm walking around things and cruising along furniture, and walking behind my push toy. I'm also really working on forming some actual words but I'm not quite there yet. I say "Ba" or "Baa baa" for everything I recognize or like for example, "Ma-ma, Da-da. Minnie Mouse, Marlie, Cohen, bananas, bottles" One of these days I'll come up with some differentiation.

I love playing with Cohen - and I have to say I think I'm really growing on him. He likes to play with me too. Every time I wake up I hear him ask Mom, "Can I go see her?" and he comes in my room to talk to me. He always makes me smile. The other night he really had me laughing the hardest I've ever laughed. We're really starting to bond with each other.

Some of my favorite toys are Minnie Mouse, the Leap Frog music table, the shape sorter and stacking blocks.

I also love Marlie. I'm starting to be a little more gentle with her but I love rubbing my head on her soft fur. She tolerates me pretty well.

My only "tricks" are 'so big' and patty cake. Mom, Dad and Cohen are trying to teach me some new things so stay tuned.

I'm a very smiley, happy little lady - until I'm tired or hungry. Once I'm fed or nap I'm a happy, happy girl again. I love watching the big kids run and play. Mom thinks I even might imagine the day I can try to keep up to them. :)