The Year of the Parent

Last year (2012) was definitely the year of the baby.  We were figuring out how to function with a new little person in our house.  This year, however, the "function" part was old news... suddenly what took precedence was the parenting aspect of the arrangement.  What would she eat, when would she go to bed, what activities were free expression and what would lead to a firm "no"?  Just how much whining could we ignore before we went absolutely batty?  I can definitely say that we made it out of this year alive... but the battle is not over yet. lol

Amongst all of the questions about our growing parenting styles, we also had so so SO much enjoyment watching Emily grow, learn, express and explore.  From walking to kicking to running to dancing to jumping to climbing... she's all over the place.  From crying to showing to words that we can understanding... she's communicating.  She's getting herself "dressed" (socks, shoes and hats) and, with that, comes her own sense of style.  She has a favorite TV show, a favorite blanket, favorite books.  She FINALLY likes to cuddle and will give hugs and kisses unprompted.  How much love I feel for my small little person is unreal.

2013 has been a good year.  And I am very excited to see what 2014 has to bring!

Christmas Wrap Up

I know.  Christmas is old news by now... but, I figured that I should at least say something about the holiday before I get my blog printed out for the year!  Surprisingly, this will not be a picture heavy post... as i didn't really take any photos.  I have noticed that, over the last 20 months of my daughter's life, I have really been more "in the moment" with her, and not stuck behind a camera.  Every now and then I'll put out my camera phone and snap a shot of her doing something cute, but I don't live back there like I did for years (maybe to avoid social interaction? lol).

Christmas Eve... Jacob had to work, so Emily and I spent the day together.  We went to OMSI and played in the kids area until she was pooped, and then headed home and (she) took a nap... her last nap in her crib... ever.

Playing in the sand at OMSI

Last nap in her crib  =(

While she was napping, I hauled her toddler bed out of our closet.  Her Nana and Papa got it for her at a garage sale a few months back, and I was waiting for Christmas to switch it in... not because of "Christmas" but because a) I had taken the entire week off of work, so new that, if the transition went poorly, I wouldn't have to worry about getting up early for work the following day(s) and b) I knew we'd be out late both Christmas even and Christmas day, so she'd fall asleep in the car anyway.  ;)  So, I pulled out the bed, and, when she woke up, made the switch.

She was thrilled.  The moment that I got the mattress on the bed with a new sheet and pillow, she grabbed her blanket, crawled in and laid down. lol.  She was very happy about it... and still is... it was a super easy transition.  We are so lucky with her!

After Jacob got home from work, we packed up the car and drove up to his parents place (about a half hour from our house) for Christmas Eve dinner and a white elephant gift exchange with his extended family.  Lots of good food, good fun and fun presents.  Emily was up WAY too late... and we suffered for it all night long (she kept waking up and crying until one of us would go in there... she never left her bed though!).

First night in her new bed!

The next morning we packed up the car again and headed down to my parent's place (about a 2 hour drive).  Thankfully, the drive was good--Emily slept the whole way, and there was (surprisingly) very little traffic.  We opened presents at my parents house, and then went to my grandma's place for Christmas dinner and more gift opening.  After Christmas Eve, Emily had the unwrapping thing DOWN and we had to protect everyone else's presents from her... which she was really  not a happy camper about!  Last year she didn't really get it... this year it was "watch out". lol

We left at a little after 6:00 to drive home... two hours before Emily's bedtime.  She fell asleep in the car and didn't wake up until the next morning.  The whirlwind of present opening wore her out!  ;)

Jacob and I didn't bother to buy any gifts from Emily this year (or last year) because we knew that "Christmas" doesn't mean anything to her right now (and that her grandparents/aunts/uncles would get her plenty of stuff), but, next year I don't know if we'll be able to avoid it again!  I'm just hoping that she'll be a little nicer to Santa next December.  ;)

Playing Twister with her cousins after Christmas dinner.

Checking out her new blocks!

20 Months!

(About a week late... oops!)

Weight/Length- No idea.  I'm not that great about remembering to weigh/measure you while you're awake, and and the only time I have to write these posts are when you're asleep.  So... this category may have to wait until your 2-year appointment!

Eating- I am having a really hard time getting you to eat fruits and veggies (unless it's apple sauce or bananas).  I need to try some more "healthy" types of things.  You like breads (crackers, etc.) but not much else.  I think I need to experiment a bit.  Last month your favorite word was "snack", this month it's "cook".  You continuously are telling me to "cook" when you're hungry.  Which is, like, every 2 hours.  You snack a LOT!

Teeth- Still have 16!  We were thinking that one of your 2-year molars were coming in, but I don't know that it ever did.

Sleep- Down to one nap!  Sometimes it's hard for you to stay awake long enough to eat lunch.  I try not to put you down before noon, because I know that you won't take another nap and be super cranky if you go down to early, but this week it was a bit difficult some days!  One day I actually asked you if you wanted to take a nap and you crawled into bed and laid down.  =)  Speaking of beds, you have a brand new toddler bed now!  We switched it out on Christmas Eve.

 Clothes-24 month/2T clothes, size 4 diapers and size 8 shoes (girl... 7 in boys).  I swear that you skipped a shoe size. I think you went straight from 6s to 8s!

Personality- We're starting to see a bit more of the "Terrible Twos" more regularly now... and, honestly, it's hard not to laugh at you sometimes when you're throwing a tantrum.  You were pitching a fit in a restaurant the other day and a noticed some of the other patrons laughing at you, too.  You are just so obviously dramatic with your fits.  Not to say I'm wanting to laugh ALL the time!  That's for sure.  You have also started to be quite "shy" and will hide your face around new people and/or shut your eyes REALLY tight like, if you can't see them, they can't see you.  Also, you are a bit of a neat freak.  You are quick to point out a "mess" and you get a little upset every time you get food or something on your hands.  You MUST wipe them off.  =)  You also love to sweep and wipe things up.

Likes/Dislikes-

• You LOVE Elmo... commercialism at work!
• You love swimming and the big water slide at the community center.
• You like using the potty... even though you don't use it all the time, you still get pretty excited about using it.
• You like your new bed and pillows.  I think you like the freedom of putting yourself to bed... though you don't ever really get out of it on your own (after waking up, that is).
• You like wearing hats.  You have a couple of stocking caps that you like to put on your head and walk around the house with... even if it's the only thing you're wearing.

•  You dislike being told "no"... I have a feeling that this is going to be a big one for the next year or so.

Milestones-

• You pooped in the potty!  Woo hoo!!!  =)
• You really got into opening presents for the first time.  You opened all of your own, and then got mad when I wouldn't let you open everyone else's, too!
• You got a new toddler bed.  The transition was a lot easier than I was expecting.
• You are learning a lot of new words and can repeat the alphabet letter by letter.  You are starting to recognize a few colors, and can count 2/3rds of the way to 3... (I saw one, you say two and three).

Number 2!

EMILY WENT NUMBER TWO IN THE POTTY TODAY!  =)

I had to share with the world because I was sooo happy/excited.  She TOLD me that she needed to go, and she DID... and it was a big one.  Her uncle Dustin would have been proud. lol

I was going to take a picture (to share with her dad, not with you all, I promise), but she flushed before I got back with the camera.  =( 

OK.  That is all (for now).  I have a couple of other posts coming up, just need to take a moment to write them.  =)

Santa's Favorite

'nough said.