This morning Reese began her day with a trip to the pedi for her one-year check up.
Her exam began with the nurse taking her measurements. She was less than cooperative for the head circumference measurement as well as everything that happened on the scale. Her weight numbers were lower than I expected, but the doctor said that it could be due to her round of c-diff last month. Nothing like a month of diarrhea to slow down weight gain. Since overall she still gained weight, though, and she is showing growth in other areas he's not concerned.
Reese also received three shots this morning. She was NOT happy. They said that the final shot has a reputation for stinging as well as muscle soreness. I gave her Tylenol when we got home, but the first hour after the appointment was a pretty fussy one. At first she didn't want to walk or crawl--I'm guessing it made her leg feel bad. Once the Tylenol kicked in, though, she seemed to be fine. Fingers crossed for a fever-free afternoon.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Happy Birthday Reese!
On Saturday, we celebrated Reese's first birthday (two days early) with a small party. Both sides of her family were fully represented and she enjoyed all of the attention, food, and gifts.
Reese's party was scheduled to start at 3pm. I thought this would work perfectly since Reese's afternoon nap usually ends around 3 and is followed immediately by her afternoon snack. While somewhat non-traditional for older birthday parties, I was hoping to serve her cake first as her snack. Everything seemed on track until Reese decided to wake up at 6 AM on Saturday morning. She didn't go down for a morning nap, but couldn't stay up until 1 for her afternoon nap. Instead, she fell asleep at noon and woke up after just after an hour of sleep. (She usually stays down for at least an hour and half, sometimes upwards of two hours now that she's only taking one nap.) So, best-laid plans were laid to waste and I felt a little panicky about how this might effect her demeanor for the rest of the afternoon.
Luckily, all of the excitement and family kept her interested and awake for the rest of her party. After all the family arrived, we served Reese a birthday cupcake and ice cream. At first she wasn't sure about the cupcake, but once she got a taste of the icing, there was no stopping her. She had a few spoonfuls of ice cream, but seemed to prefer the cake.
Reese got many exciting gifts and enjoyed playing with the bows, bags, and boxes more than the toys at first.
She got a rocking horse from Grandma and Grandpa Righter.
She received a doll house, golf clubs, and a wagon full of blocks from Grandma and Grandpa Bailey.
She got a box of wooden blocks from Aunt Kim and Ehren.
She received a toy cell phone, a talking mail box, and a rolling phone from Aunt Kate and Uncle Richard.
Mommy and Daddy got Reese some bath toy letters, three books, and some blocks.
It was an exciting and exhausting day for everyone!
Nap Time Changes
Last week was an interesting week for Reese's nap times. On Monday and Tuesday she woke up at 7AM! I felt like a new woman after snoozing through the five and six o'clock hours! Thanks to her "late" start to the day, she didn't want to take a morning nap. So, we survived two consecutive days with only an afternoon nap. Even on the days when she woke up before 7 last week she decided to be a one-nap girl. She's not exactly sunshine and happiness all morning long, but when I try to give her an opportunity to nap before lunch she immediately stands up in her crib, throws her elephant out, and jumps up and down crying. (She won't "cry it out"--and throwing the elephant is her new protest move.)I knew the transition to one nap was coming, I just didn't think it would be so sudden. I'm kind of excited, though, because it may mean that we can go to some more events--Baby Bloomers at the Children's Museum and Storytime at the bookstore have always fallen during her morning nap time. Now there's no stoppin' us.
Dada's Birthday
Reese and Kevin's birthdays are only 8 days apart. Two weeks ago, we celebrated Kevin's birthday at home with his family. Grandma and Grandpa Bailey as well as Aunt Kate and Uncle Richard came up to Austin with food and gifts. Reese used Dada's gifts to get some practice with unwrapping.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
First Step Fake Out
On Wednesday (8/12) afternoon Reese took her first independent steps. We were playing with her carton of eggs in the hallway and she repeatedly grabbed for an egg, stood up, and handed the egg to me. After a few eggs, I simply moved back from where she was standing. With an egg held in both hands, she walked toward me for about five steps until she reached where I was sitting. I was thrilled! I called Kevin to tell him the news. All subsequent attempts to get her to walk unaided have been a bust, however. It shows she's capable, I just don't think she has the confidence yet. We'll keep an eye on it.
Also, Reese has become more cuddly this week--at least with Mommy. Before her naps, she'll lay her head on my shoulder and let me rock her for a few minutes before she lays down. It can be a nice break from her independent streak. It just seems like she functions in one extreme or another: she either wants nothing to do with me, or she's glued to me and doesn't want to be put down.
Also, Reese has become more cuddly this week--at least with Mommy. Before her naps, she'll lay her head on my shoulder and let me rock her for a few minutes before she lays down. It can be a nice break from her independent streak. It just seems like she functions in one extreme or another: she either wants nothing to do with me, or she's glued to me and doesn't want to be put down.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
11month Notes
1. As of late, Reese's favorite activity is putting items into containers. She loves her stacking cups and rings (which she can now stack in order) as well as any kind of box or container. She loves putting blocks, plastic eggs, plastic letters, and anything else she can get her hands on inside a box or cup.
2. Last week Reese had a nap time episode that I wanted to chronicle so that someday it will be laughable. When I put Reese down for her afternoon nap she began to cry a little after I shut the door--a norm that comes and goes. I left her in the room to settle down but within fifteen minutes the cries had escalated to screams--piercing ones. Thinking she was still upset from my departure I left her for a few more minutes hoping she would calm down and go to sleep since I knew she was tired. The screams got worse. Worried that she had gotten stuck in her crib railings, I went into her room. She was standing in her crib and pointing at the floor. When I looked to where she was pointing I saw that she had either thrown or dropped her elephant onto the floor. I retrieved the elephant, laid her back down, and she was out within minutes. Guess elephant is indeed an integral part of her bedtime/naptime routine.
3. Reese has another cold. She either caught it at the gym daycare or from a shopping cart although her exposure to both has been limited. I'm worried that the cold will (if it hasn't' already) lead to an ear infection. Her nose is runny and she coughs on occasion, but otherwise seems fine. She HATES having me wipe her nose. She's been a little clingy and cranky, so I'm keeping an eye on it and we may end up at the pedi before the week is over. The guy must think I'm crazy since we're in there so often. (We already have an appointment for her 12mo check up and vaccines scheduled for the 24th, but it might not be able to wait until then.)
4. Reese is playing favorites when it comes to brushing her teeth. She lets Daddy do it without fuss, but if I give it a try she throws a FIT. I've tried every variation I can think of (including imitating Daddy's method) without success. Some highlights include:
1. I let her try and brush her teeth = she throws the toothbrush in the sink or on the floor
2. I hold the toothbrush and try to brush her teeth = screaming, batting, and head turning away
3. I brush my teeth while she has her toothbrush (hoping for imitation) = she grabs my toothbrush and throws hers on the floor, then she brushes my face, her clothes, and everything else (except her teeth)
She also won't let me brush her hair--even though it's getting long and a little out of control. Ahhh, the joys of an independent, strong-willed child.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Nice Petting
Reese and Annie have worked out the dynamics of their relationship much more than Reese and our cat, Madeline. So far, our cat has been an object of fascination as well as a great moving target to chase around the house. I give the cat credit, she puts up with a lot; but I guess when you're a 12 year old cat, you have to since you can't move quite as fast. This is what happens when/if Reese gets close:
** Disclaimer: For all of you cat lovers out there, I must state that the cat purred through most of this "nice" petting. When Reese started shrieking she made a run for it.
** Disclaimer: For all of you cat lovers out there, I must state that the cat purred through most of this "nice" petting. When Reese started shrieking she made a run for it.
Steps to Walking
Reese is getting more interested in walking. She hasn't taken any steps on her own, but her new favorite thing to do is to walk behind her car. She's learned how to steer it and now moves around really quickly. Kevin and I say she's in "hyper drive" because she almost runs behind the car now. Yesterday she tried to walk while holding onto her stuffed animal. After a few near falls, I put the animal into the small space where the car can extend for a seat. Apparently this idea struck a chord with Reese because she immediately wheeled her car over to a pair of Daddy's shoes and began piling them on top of her stuffed animal. Once she was done, she stood up, and continued to push her fully loaded car around. Putting stuffed animals and other objects in the "driver's seat" became the game of the day yesterday.
(The video above was taken about two and half weeks ago. Reese was a little more wobbly then and hadn't figured out how to steer her car. I do love, though, how she figured out how to dispose of her road-block.)
Reese is also doing some walking with support. She can walk (sometimes almost at a run also) if an adult holds her hand while walking side-by-side or holds her arms above her head. She's been spontaneously standing (getting up from sitting or squatting without the help of an object) for a few weeks now, but once she gets to standing she usually just looks around and then sits back down. We'll just have to wait and see when those first steps come.
(The video above was taken about two and half weeks ago. Reese was a little more wobbly then and hadn't figured out how to steer her car. I do love, though, how she figured out how to dispose of her road-block.)
Reese is also doing some walking with support. She can walk (sometimes almost at a run also) if an adult holds her hand while walking side-by-side or holds her arms above her head. She's been spontaneously standing (getting up from sitting or squatting without the help of an object) for a few weeks now, but once she gets to standing she usually just looks around and then sits back down. We'll just have to wait and see when those first steps come.
Coloring
On a whim we tried coloring a few weeks ago. This experiment stemmed from my inability to resist buying new school supplies at the store. (The teacher in me gets pretty excited when back-to-school time rolls around and the aisles are full of nice new crayons, markers, and pencils. What's wrong with a $0.25 splurge anyway?)
I got the crayons out and showed Reese how to scribble. She was very interested in the crayons. She turned them around, touched the tips, and eventually put the crayon to the paper a few times. At first she just banged them up and down and made dots, but eventually she made a few lines. Here's her first "masterpiece."
I got the crayons out and showed Reese how to scribble. She was very interested in the crayons. She turned them around, touched the tips, and eventually put the crayon to the paper a few times. At first she just banged them up and down and made dots, but eventually she made a few lines. Here's her first "masterpiece."
Eating Milestones
As of two weeks ago, we've officially kicked the bottle habit and we're exclusively using sippy cups. As of this week, we're also beginning the transition to real milk. Reese continues to feed herself three meals a day and two snacks. Her eating preferences change with the wind, so its anyone's guess whether or not a meal that was previously loved and devoured will produce similar results upon its next presentation. (For example, the video posted below shows her eating mashed potatoes--she hasn't eaten them since.)
Other food-worthy notes:
Reese is beginning to use a spoon by herself. She's able to scoop up sticky foods and get the spoon in her mouth. She doesn't use the spoon for the whole meal. Sometimes she uses the spoon to scoop items up and then picks them out of the spoon's bowl to put them into her mouth. Other times, she will use the spoon in one hand (usually her right) and simultaneously pick up food with her left hand. Her favorite "spooning" dish is currently apple sauce with oatmeal flakes mixed in. When feeding herself with the spoon it's a good idea to stand back, though, because she has used the spoon as a catapult a couple of times and covered me, the counter, and the floor with applesauce. It's always good for a laugh when I shout out in surprise when applesauce lands on my face.
Reese is also growing interested in using a "real" cup to drink out of. Currently, I let her take sips from my glass, or through a straw if I'm drinking something appropriate for sharing. I also let her try to give herself sips of water from a small cup at least once a day. She gets the water in her mouth, with large portions running down her chin. Two days ago, she took a few successful sips, set the cup down, then picked the cup back up, turned it upside down and watched the water pour out onto her tray. The water, mixed with her food, became a great playtime activity until she started dropping wet cheerios on the dog and screeching. (Funny? Yes. A habit I want to encourage? Not really.)
Strange observation: The tray on Reese's highchair has a rounded area where you can set cups. Now when Reese eats, she sometimes insists that her cup be placed in this area; after she sips, she works very hard and intentionally to get it back to it's place.
Other food-worthy notes:
Reese is beginning to use a spoon by herself. She's able to scoop up sticky foods and get the spoon in her mouth. She doesn't use the spoon for the whole meal. Sometimes she uses the spoon to scoop items up and then picks them out of the spoon's bowl to put them into her mouth. Other times, she will use the spoon in one hand (usually her right) and simultaneously pick up food with her left hand. Her favorite "spooning" dish is currently apple sauce with oatmeal flakes mixed in. When feeding herself with the spoon it's a good idea to stand back, though, because she has used the spoon as a catapult a couple of times and covered me, the counter, and the floor with applesauce. It's always good for a laugh when I shout out in surprise when applesauce lands on my face.
Reese is also growing interested in using a "real" cup to drink out of. Currently, I let her take sips from my glass, or through a straw if I'm drinking something appropriate for sharing. I also let her try to give herself sips of water from a small cup at least once a day. She gets the water in her mouth, with large portions running down her chin. Two days ago, she took a few successful sips, set the cup down, then picked the cup back up, turned it upside down and watched the water pour out onto her tray. The water, mixed with her food, became a great playtime activity until she started dropping wet cheerios on the dog and screeching. (Funny? Yes. A habit I want to encourage? Not really.)
Strange observation: The tray on Reese's highchair has a rounded area where you can set cups. Now when Reese eats, she sometimes insists that her cup be placed in this area; after she sips, she works very hard and intentionally to get it back to it's place.
Catching Rainbows
Last week while I was making her dinner, Reese crawled around the corner and out into our formal dining area. Usually she "makes the circuit" and crawls down the hallway and back into the kitchen to "surprise" me. When she grew quite and I didn't hear the slap, slap, slap of her crawl, I got nervous. With Reese, quite = trouble. I peaked my head around the corner and I found her staring at the wall in the formal dining room. I quickly realized that she was busy "catching" rainbows. During the late hours of the day, the setting sun will shine through the glass on our front door and project prismatic displays on the wall. Reese saw these "mini rainbows" and was transfixed. She stared at them and then crawled close to the wall. She was confused, though, because when she got close, the images would disappear. (Her body blocked the light from hitting the wall.) When the rainbow she was hunting would disappear, she would turn her attention to another one. This went on for about five or ten minutes.
At times, it felt a little like watching a cat chase a flashlight, only cuter I guess.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Delinquent Blogger
I've been a delinquent blogger lately. I plan on posting quite a few updates in the next few days to make up for it.
My main excuses are as follows:
1. I've been working on a memory book that chronicles Reese's first year. I bought her a pen-and-paper baby book before she was born, but since the launch of her blog I haven't done a good job of keeping up with it. To compensate I've created a hard-cover photo book using snapfish's website.
2. Reese has been dealing with more health issues. Following her back-to-back rounds of antibiotics to fight an recurring ear infection, Reese developed some pretty severe diarrhea. It turned out to be c-dif. It was scary news to hear from the doctor since c-dif can be dangerous if the conditions are right. For Reese, a wait-and-see approach coupled with some pro-biotics seemed to clear things up. (But only after almost a month of terrible diarrhea.)
3. Reese is keeping me even busier than before. As Kevin and I have conceded, in some ways she's gotten the worst combination of the two of us: she's as stubborn as a mule (that would be Kevin believe it or not--self-admitted), as well as tough but clumsy (that would be me), and to top it all off she's VERY independent (both of us at play there I think). Put this all together in the frame of a little girl who's not quite walking (more on that later) but WANTS to be, and it's a recipe for disaster. Just last night she took a scary spill. She was trying to walk from the tub to the toilet while I was filling it up for her bath. In the process of turning around, she slipped, fell backwards, and bit her lip. We didn't realize she bit her lip at first, and all we saw was a screaming child with a mouth of gushing blood. Our first thoughts, "Oh my god, did she bite the tip of her tongue off?/Did she bust a tooth out?/Where's all the blood coming from?/Did she hit her head?" We finally got her calmed down (it took awhile) and the bleeding stopped before putting her to bed. She's doing fine now and hasn't been scared by the incident because she's still on the move today. If I take my eye off of her for even a second she's into trouble or about to hurt herself. It makes for long days and no time to do anything else.
My main excuses are as follows:
1. I've been working on a memory book that chronicles Reese's first year. I bought her a pen-and-paper baby book before she was born, but since the launch of her blog I haven't done a good job of keeping up with it. To compensate I've created a hard-cover photo book using snapfish's website.
2. Reese has been dealing with more health issues. Following her back-to-back rounds of antibiotics to fight an recurring ear infection, Reese developed some pretty severe diarrhea. It turned out to be c-dif. It was scary news to hear from the doctor since c-dif can be dangerous if the conditions are right. For Reese, a wait-and-see approach coupled with some pro-biotics seemed to clear things up. (But only after almost a month of terrible diarrhea.)
3. Reese is keeping me even busier than before. As Kevin and I have conceded, in some ways she's gotten the worst combination of the two of us: she's as stubborn as a mule (that would be Kevin believe it or not--self-admitted), as well as tough but clumsy (that would be me), and to top it all off she's VERY independent (both of us at play there I think). Put this all together in the frame of a little girl who's not quite walking (more on that later) but WANTS to be, and it's a recipe for disaster. Just last night she took a scary spill. She was trying to walk from the tub to the toilet while I was filling it up for her bath. In the process of turning around, she slipped, fell backwards, and bit her lip. We didn't realize she bit her lip at first, and all we saw was a screaming child with a mouth of gushing blood. Our first thoughts, "Oh my god, did she bite the tip of her tongue off?/Did she bust a tooth out?/Where's all the blood coming from?/Did she hit her head?" We finally got her calmed down (it took awhile) and the bleeding stopped before putting her to bed. She's doing fine now and hasn't been scared by the incident because she's still on the move today. If I take my eye off of her for even a second she's into trouble or about to hurt herself. It makes for long days and no time to do anything else.
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