Dear Addison,
And again, I say it. This is my favorite age!! Could it have possibly been better, or more fun, before this?
I am sure that part of the reason why I always say that is because every month, we've known you a bit longer. Gotten to know your unique personality just a little more, spent more time with you to discover your preferences and abilities, and built more of a relationship. "Dada" and I are crazy about you! Adding to that is the fact that you are literally changing every day - learning new words, new skills at what seems like an hourly pace, it's no wonder that I am really enjoying this stage.
Of course, there are new challenges. Some of those new things you're learning every day include how to climb higher and higher onto more dangerous pieces of furniture, how to run away FAST when you have something you shouldn't, and that hey MOM, I really would rather stay here at the park right now than go back inside so I'm gonna tell you about it. With your quick mobility and ever-budding independence, things like trips to the store aren't quite as easy anymore. You used to sit contentedly in the cart, smiling, waving, and reveling in your throne as you were pushed around. Now you start asking to get down within about 2 minutes. That would be fine if you walked alongside me, but instead you take off down every aisle, squeeling with glee. Good thing I'm a runner.
I definitely feel like we're moving into more of a train, teach, instruct, repeat phase. Reminding you over and over not to drop your food on the floor, what things are "hands off!," not to climb the stairs without mom, not to climb onto the table period. We're learning together, little one.
Language
I'm still trying to keep track of your words as you add them, and have about 65 written down that you've used consistently (a few of those are animal sounds - maybe shouldn't be counted as "words"). Your pediatrician was really amazed at that number, ("I'm sorry, did you say six-TY?!") but you showed off many of them while we were there and he's now a believer. He joked we should start working on your ABCs. :) Most of your words are still just one syllable (or you MAKE them one syllable), and some sound a lot alike (snow and nose, pray and plane, bottle and potty etc) but it's clear what you're saying in the different contexts. The cutest is "snow" (which comes out as "nnnoo") and the most random is "eyebrow." For water, you've chosen the Spanish agua instead of using the English. ¡Muy bien! You're still rocking about 10 signs. Here's a little vid of some of your animal sounds (I'll try to do one with real words soon):
Your comprehension is crazy! I can say something quietly to myself, like "Okay, we're going to leave in a couple minutes... I'll need my water bottle, and I wonder where Addie's shoes are?" You'll zoom off and a couple seconds later emerge, proudly carrying your shoes. I only have to say "can you put away your (cars, picture frame, book, spoon, etc)" once, and you (usually) do it right away. This is also nice for giving helpful directions like, "will you close that door?" and "I need you to lie still for this diaper change."
Mobility
Not sure if there's much to update in this category anymore, since you've mastered walking and waddle-running and keep working on climbing higher. Maybe once you try out for the swim team I'll have things to add here. :)
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| did i mention you have crazy hair?? |
Eating
A lot like last month, it all depends on the day or the meal. Sometimes it's GREAT and sometimes it's NOT great. You're definitely up for trying anything - last week you ate curry chicken with cauliflower, sweet potatoes, quinoa and lentils for 3 nights in a row. So I don't feel like you're really a picky eater... just that food in general doesn't really "speak" to you. It's more like a chore to endure. Except for Italian food, which always ends with a clean plate! The most tiring thing right now is that meals take sooo loooonnng. You like to deliberate over (savor?) every bite, so each meal can take 30 minutes or more, which is a long time for a super-energetic toddler to sit still in a high chair (and for your super-energetic mom to sit, too!). Fun lately has been using utensils on your own more and more, which always provokes a proud grin:
Favorite foods: mixed vegetables, cucumber, avocado, yogurt, Italian food, scrambled eggs with cheese, grapefruit. Least favorite foods: bread, chicken.
Size
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| who you callin skinny?? |
All good in the hood here. You usually sleep 13 hours at night and take a two hour nap midday. Of course you can surprise me with both longer and shorter naps some days, but you almost never show tired signs (even after short naps) so I can assume you're getting the sleep you need.
Are we potty training?!?!
This is totally unexpected, and I'm just following your cues here. This is worth its own post which I'll write soon, but I have been shocked at how excited you are about using your little potty. Yesterday you used it four times and all four times, you ASKED to go by saying "potty" and running to the bathroom. Whaat?! I was not ready to really do this thing, but I'll roll with it, especially since you're asking and all. I've got some really cute pics but will spare you and the world. :)
Personality
So much is the same - you are energetic, funny, and happy.
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| OHMYGOSH THIS STEERING WHEEL IS AMAZING |
You love all animals, especially Aslan (Zee Zee),
You are happiest outside - totally unphased by the cold!
And you are always "busy" - carrying stuff around, moving things place to place, etc. You have gotten really friendly and outgoing with strangers - almost no stranger anxiety anymore, even with men. The other day you ran up to a woman at Petsmart (whom we've never met) and wanted her to pick you up for a hug.
I am still surprised at how much more of a little person you are becoming. What a gift and what a joy you are every day!! We love you!
Sweetness all over this page:)
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