Twelve Month Tidbits

Brace yourself for lots of updates!

1. Sleep: Well, I said there was going to be no-stoppin' us once we got down to one nap a day, and I was wrong. We're now back up to two a day. The sleeping until 7 and functioning on one nap a day was short lived. On one hand, I don't mind going back to a short morning nap and an afternoon nap because it gives me a chance to shower in the mornings (I was trying to shower at the gym or with Reese in her playpen--neither option was ideal). It does, however, limit our out of house time. Don't get me wrong: if the end result is a happier baby, I'm all about it. We'll just see how long this lasts.

2. Walking: Reese continues to take a few steps here or there around the house. When using her push-car or when walking with an adult she's practically at a run, but when she's on her own she is VERY tentative and shaky. She usually only makes it two or three steps before sitting down and going into a crawl. I've been trying to let go of her hands once she gets into the groove (kind of like a parent lets go of the back of a bicycle when the rider is still learning to ride without training wheels), but the second I let go, she stops, turns around and re-grabs my hand, leg, or clothing before proceeding.

3. Frustration: I feel like Reese may be in a transition period--both with her motor skills as well as her communication skills. (Or at least that's what I'm hoping.) She has been extremely frustrated lately--and she does a great job of showing it. When she plays she now tries to manipulate her toys in a more refined way: she tries to take apart the Easter eggs and put them back together, she tries to put her letters in the mailbox's slot etc. After one or two calm attempts to accomplish these tasks (or other similar ones), if she fails she begins to tantrum. She knocks over or throws what she's playing with grunts and growls. She also begins to tantrum if someone tries to intervene and help her with her task. (At least when mommy tries to.) She's very independent and knows what she wants to do and wants to do it herself--or so it seems. It's the same with her communication skills--she definitely has something specific she wants in mind but when I can't figure it out, or if I figure it out and it's not appropriate (like playing with the light sockets or sticking her fingers in vents), the tantrums begin again. Is this the terrible twos early or am I just blessed with a stubborn and independent child?

4. Outside addict: Reese wants to spend ALL day outside. If it were up to her, we'd be at the park, in the front yard, or in the backyard every waking moment. This would be GREAT if it weren't a million degrees outside. She loves to take her push car out in front of the house and walk up and down the sidewalk collecting acorns, leaves, and sticks. Because she insists on keeping every item she finds, I attached a Tupperware container to her car so she can "store" her treasures as we go. Her eye sight must be pretty good because I swear she can spot a tiny acorn a mile away. On several occasions she's bent down and dug in a crack or picked through the grass (in a spot where I saw nothing) and come up with a tiny acorn for her collection. When Reese wants to go outside, she goes to the front or back door and bangs on it. If I don't get the hint quickly, she stands on her tippy toes and reaches for the door knob. If she were taller this would be a problem, but for now we're ok. I can't wait until the weather cools off and then I'll be happy to spend all day outside and at the park!

5. Communication: While a few weeks ago, every question you asked Reese garnered a head shake, she now also nods and says "yeah." It's a nice turn around from the negative responses we were getting to everything--she now can answer most questions with a head shake or with a nod and "yeah." Reese also likes saying "bye bye" to everyone and everything she sees. In the morning (if she's not eating breakfast), she goes outside and waves goodbye to Dada as he leaves for work. Anytime she's told we're leaving she waves goodbye to everyone around.

6. Hair: Reese's hair is getting out of control. The front is long enough it's starting to obscure her vision. I try to put bows in it to keep it out of her face, but most of the time (unless she's really distracted), she take the bows out. She does, after taking the bow out, try to put it back in her hair, but placing it on top of her head doesn't exactly re-secure it. It's not quite long enough for pig tails or a pony tail (although I can only imagine how much she'll LOVE me trying to put them in), so we're in a strange place. I'm not sure if a haircut is necessary or required at this point. Reese has learned what a brush is for and she can use it to brush through her hair. Sometimes the brush is backwards, but she definitely gets the gist.

7. Eating: And to think that six months ago this child would eat almost anything. We're into the dreaded Tan Toddler diet. Reese is getting pickier by the day. Vegetables are nearly non existent (I've successfully snuck them in muffins twice and I fooled her with spaghetti squash once) and if it's not a chicken nugget, fruit, or some form of bread you're out of luck. If she were a chunky girl I wouldn't worry, but she's anything but. Her pickiness is made even more "fun" by the fact that (as mentioned earlier) she now knows EXACTLY what she wants to eat and unless you hit upon it, you're in for a storm of protest. I now cross my fingers and try to take deep breaths before each meal. I've ordered a toddler cook book with some ideas on how to sneak good stuff into a toddler's diet. I'll keep offering the "good stuff" to her in it's true form so that eventually (maybe five years from n0w) she'll like it, but I've gotta get the vitamins in her somehow.

8. Dancing: Reese still loves music and to dance. During the last few weeks, we've been listening to the digital music stations on the TV during play time (Toddler Tunes, Kidz Only etc). It works out great since we spend a lot of time playing in the living room and kitchen which is near our TV. Now when Reese sees the remote control laying around, she moves over to it, points it at the TV and starts dancing. That's my cue to strike up the music. Reese also knows that the CD/Radio in her bedroom plays music. So if she wants to dance in her room, she goes over to the shelf near the radio, points at it, and starts dancing. Tonight before bath time, Reese requested some dance time, some of her new moves are captured below.