As much as Anna Claire learned and grew physically her first year - the way that she seemed to ALWAYS be doing something new - she now seems to be growing mentally and interactively! She is developing a spirited little personality, and it's just the most fun to see her develop!
Just the past week she's learned to climb on the couch by herself (scary!), spin in a circle, try to jump (adorable because she bounces, but won't leave the ground), try to write in a book with a pencil, say "thank you", give a real kiss and try to drink from her bowl. (Truthfully, there's probably more, but that's all I can think of!)
She's also developing a will - I do not look forward to the days when we have to start disciplining her, because they are coming quickly! If she doesn't get her way - boy, watch out! We try to say "no" and restrain and/or redirect her, but sometimes she is just very persistent! You certainly don't have to teach them to get mad!! :) Lauren Malphurs calls toddlers "precious little sinners" and that is certainly appropriate!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
10-25-11
My baby is learning!
Last Thursday (the 20th) she tried to write in a book - understanding apparently that we write on paper.
Yesterday we played with dolls and she kissed her baby. Then we had to spin in a circle repeatedly!
Today, she brought me her baby upon command.
Overall, this phase she is entering is so sweet - she loves other kids and lights up when she sees them!
Last Thursday (the 20th) she tried to write in a book - understanding apparently that we write on paper.
Yesterday we played with dolls and she kissed her baby. Then we had to spin in a circle repeatedly!
Today, she brought me her baby upon command.
Overall, this phase she is entering is so sweet - she loves other kids and lights up when she sees them!
10-25-11 - Kisses
Today was precious! One of those extra special days! All because of one little thing - Anna Claire kissed us for the first time! Not an open mouthed slobber - but a real, sweet, little baby kiss - complete with the pucker sound! :-D I had run to town to deposit Andy's check since he hadn't felt well, and when I got home she grinned as big as possible and ran to be picked up - and then kissed me! Dad saw it and came over and she planted one on his cheek too! Oh, how precious she is to us!!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
10-22-11 - MID OF NIGHT
I haven't blogged as much recently - not because Anna Claire hasn't been growing and changing, but because I've been undisciplined. She hasn't hit any major milestones lately, but man, that doesn't alter the fact that she is the greatest blessing to her mom and dad. We absolutely adore her. I never knew how much you could love....
She's sick today. Been fighting it all week really, but has a super bad hacking cough tonight. She slept from 11 until 2:30, and I've watched an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba with her, and soothed her back to sleep despite the cough and congested nose. But then I thought about Vicks BabyRub. Looked it up and it it looks like exactly what she needs. So, I pushed past my better judgment and got it from the storage cabinet and tried to put it on her back while she rested. Nope. So, I've just come back from my second round of soothing her and getting her back to sleep. I think it was worth it though. I think it already has helped her breathe better. I read online that you can put it on the bottom of their feet with socks on and that helps a lot. So that's what I did. We'll see how it works, but I think anything helps a little. Poor baby. I would so rather me be the sick one!
Anna Claire tried to write with a pencil this week - She tried to write in her Jesus Storybook Bible - NO MA'AM! :) So I got some spare paper and she spent about .05 seconds trying to write on that. Neat to see her trying though.
She's mimicing like crazy. I sweep with the broom, so she takes the broom outside and tries to sweep the back porch. I brush my hair - she tries to do the same. I jump - she jumps. It's precious to see her imitate the world around her and learn. I still have to fight concern - I don't know if every woman does, but I think worry is one of our "acceptable sins" ....maybe even a "righteous sin" - yes, I know it's an oxymoron, but I can't tell you the number of women who act like it is good - even holy - to worry about your kids. I'm not talking about real possible problems, but even imagined ones that they create. God tells us to cast our cares on Him - to not be anxious about anything but to pray! (I'm preaching to myself!) I may know these truths, but I still have to fight not to be overly concerned with every developmental step she approaches. She says, "mama," "dada," "bye-bye," and "hey." ("Hey" is the CUTEST!!!) But of course, I'm ready for her to say another word, just to assure me that she is still developing well. I get concerned that we may be letting her watch too much television, that it might cause ADHD or ADD later or some other developmental difficulty. I know in my brain that God has it all under control, and that she will be exactly what He created her to be, but sometimes it is difficult to rest in that - to trust His goodness and to know that He will also give us the grace to deal with whatever we face. To know that she may not be perfect (and won't be!) but that she is perfect for us - our little James 1:17 gift!
Other cute things that Anna Claire is doing....well - she loves the hearth. She discovered it at her Nana Laurie's house this past trip, and she loves to sit on it like a big girl seat, to walk on it (makes me nervous!) and even to crawl up and down on it. :) I've got protectors on the edges of the hearth, but I'd still feel better if she'd stay off of it!
Oh, and she is into EVERYTHING!! I have only put locks on the cabinet doors where poisons are, so she's trying my resolve thoroughly in that department. My bottom drawer is where we keep plasticware, paper cups and plates and almost every day she wants to strow the entire drawer EVERYWHERE!! Or she wants to empty my bathroom drawer. Or she wants to unfold all the clothes and strow them. It's very difficult to maintain a house - let me tell you!! It's cute though and I try not to get frustrated, but this week has been hard with us both being sick. There's a certain basic standard of cleanliness that I prefer in order to feel sane, to feel ordered and this week we just haven't met that standard. That's probably not bad though - I need to learn to chill a bit, but even so - it's soooo hard for me to deal with not being able to find things, for the countertop space to be taken up completely so I can barely cook, etc. It was BAD, I'm telling you!
But her little expressions are so joyous! She smiles so easily - she greets people so well! She loves to play with Joey and take his ball away (and he LETS her!! Go figure!). She loves to be outside in the sunshine and walk around - playing in grass, or pinestraw or whatever. She likes to dance to music and will clap when the song ends. Andy plays for her on his guitar sometimes - he will make up songs about her and how special she is and she will clap in response. It's precious. I'd love to have it all on film, but sometimes you just have to enjoy the moment and the bonding.
Better get to bed. I'm exhausted and tomorrow's a-coming.....
She's sick today. Been fighting it all week really, but has a super bad hacking cough tonight. She slept from 11 until 2:30, and I've watched an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba with her, and soothed her back to sleep despite the cough and congested nose. But then I thought about Vicks BabyRub. Looked it up and it it looks like exactly what she needs. So, I pushed past my better judgment and got it from the storage cabinet and tried to put it on her back while she rested. Nope. So, I've just come back from my second round of soothing her and getting her back to sleep. I think it was worth it though. I think it already has helped her breathe better. I read online that you can put it on the bottom of their feet with socks on and that helps a lot. So that's what I did. We'll see how it works, but I think anything helps a little. Poor baby. I would so rather me be the sick one!
Anna Claire tried to write with a pencil this week - She tried to write in her Jesus Storybook Bible - NO MA'AM! :) So I got some spare paper and she spent about .05 seconds trying to write on that. Neat to see her trying though.
She's mimicing like crazy. I sweep with the broom, so she takes the broom outside and tries to sweep the back porch. I brush my hair - she tries to do the same. I jump - she jumps. It's precious to see her imitate the world around her and learn. I still have to fight concern - I don't know if every woman does, but I think worry is one of our "acceptable sins" ....maybe even a "righteous sin" - yes, I know it's an oxymoron, but I can't tell you the number of women who act like it is good - even holy - to worry about your kids. I'm not talking about real possible problems, but even imagined ones that they create. God tells us to cast our cares on Him - to not be anxious about anything but to pray! (I'm preaching to myself!) I may know these truths, but I still have to fight not to be overly concerned with every developmental step she approaches. She says, "mama," "dada," "bye-bye," and "hey." ("Hey" is the CUTEST!!!) But of course, I'm ready for her to say another word, just to assure me that she is still developing well. I get concerned that we may be letting her watch too much television, that it might cause ADHD or ADD later or some other developmental difficulty. I know in my brain that God has it all under control, and that she will be exactly what He created her to be, but sometimes it is difficult to rest in that - to trust His goodness and to know that He will also give us the grace to deal with whatever we face. To know that she may not be perfect (and won't be!) but that she is perfect for us - our little James 1:17 gift!
Other cute things that Anna Claire is doing....well - she loves the hearth. She discovered it at her Nana Laurie's house this past trip, and she loves to sit on it like a big girl seat, to walk on it (makes me nervous!) and even to crawl up and down on it. :) I've got protectors on the edges of the hearth, but I'd still feel better if she'd stay off of it!
Oh, and she is into EVERYTHING!! I have only put locks on the cabinet doors where poisons are, so she's trying my resolve thoroughly in that department. My bottom drawer is where we keep plasticware, paper cups and plates and almost every day she wants to strow the entire drawer EVERYWHERE!! Or she wants to empty my bathroom drawer. Or she wants to unfold all the clothes and strow them. It's very difficult to maintain a house - let me tell you!! It's cute though and I try not to get frustrated, but this week has been hard with us both being sick. There's a certain basic standard of cleanliness that I prefer in order to feel sane, to feel ordered and this week we just haven't met that standard. That's probably not bad though - I need to learn to chill a bit, but even so - it's soooo hard for me to deal with not being able to find things, for the countertop space to be taken up completely so I can barely cook, etc. It was BAD, I'm telling you!
But her little expressions are so joyous! She smiles so easily - she greets people so well! She loves to play with Joey and take his ball away (and he LETS her!! Go figure!). She loves to be outside in the sunshine and walk around - playing in grass, or pinestraw or whatever. She likes to dance to music and will clap when the song ends. Andy plays for her on his guitar sometimes - he will make up songs about her and how special she is and she will clap in response. It's precious. I'd love to have it all on film, but sometimes you just have to enjoy the moment and the bonding.
Better get to bed. I'm exhausted and tomorrow's a-coming.....
Thursday, October 13, 2011
10-13-11 - Ready to see Mama after Kim's house
Anna Claire stayed w Kim tonight. She played very well there - so much so that she barely acknowledged her daddy when he came to pick her up. So he walked to the door like he was going to leave and said, Wanna go see Mama?" He said she stopped playing, and seemed to realize suddenly that I wasn't there too, and started CRYING! It's pitiful but oh, so sweet! She loves her Mama and her Mama loves her!
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