Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Fifteen Months






(The following pics are from left to right and top to bottom : Rebecca with a "bracelet," Rebecca waving on a lawn mower, Rebecca crawling in her step stool and making the "oh my" face, half-naked Rebecca and Rebecca watching the wheels on the mower.

Rebecca turned fifteen months old today. She is no longer a baby, but an active, curious toddler - and it has all happened so fast!

Rebecca's vocabulary grows daily. She tries to say just about any word you ask and she understands a great deal.

She's even started gesturing and asking questions, like when she raises her hands, palms up, shrugs and asks, "go?" for "where did it go?"

We're trying to teach her to count to five, but she only likes to say "two." We count her stick-on ducks on the side of the tub, I say "one," she says, "two," I say "three" and "four." (There are four ducks.)

She's a little monkey. She loves to climb! She does pull-ups on furniture (and gets in trouble,) climbs on furniture (sometimes gets in trouble - depends on what piece) and climbs steps and ladders (got in trouble yesterday for that!)

Yes, yesterday, Rebecca decided to scale a ladder to a fort in a playgroup kid's back yard. I had turned my back for a moment and she was probably four feet off the ground. It scared me to death. I would have no problem with her climbing if I were there with her - but geez....she doesn't know danger.

Our little tyke also enjoys being outside. She loves pointing to "pane," (planes) "tees," (trees) "grass" and "birds." She loves riding anything motorized and enjoys pointing out and picking flowers. She even says "pretty."

She's a girl - I catch her singing (making a tune out of mumbo-jumbo sounds) along with music. She also loves to dance, loves to carry a purse and still enjoys jewelry, pretty patterns and makeup (she watches me and mimics my motions.)

She has recently been trying to jump. She squats down and then comes up to her tip-toes. It's so cute. She also walks on her tip-toes, on occaision, to entertain herself. She says, "up."

Rebecca is full of personality, as you can imagine. She makes the greatest faces, like her "oh my" face. (She'll show it to you if you ask...) She opens her mouth wide, her eyes get big and sometimes she'll pat her cheeks with her hands.

She knows a great number of body parts and helps with dressing and undressing. She especially loves shoes. If you tell her you are putting them on, she'll sit down in front of you, like a pro, and will hold out each foot to be shod.

What else??? She folds her hands for dinner prayer now, asks for "hand" if she wants you to hold her hand. She still makes animal noises and LOVES books. We read books before each nap, before bedtime and sometimes just during the day. She'll even go through them herself. I'll see her pointing at the pages and saying words. She also still enjoys "Signing Time" and is using even more signs with her speech. Her signs are also becoming more accurate.

Also, I'm trying some potty training measures. I think it's still a little early for her body to handle it completely, but why not start? She has yet to sit on the pot and do her business, but she has now peed three times on the floor. She took off her diaper once and peed in the living room - not fun. She has peed twice on the bathroom floor while her diaper was off and we were talking about going potty. (I tried to make her stay on the pot - I promise.) Anyway, I figure it's a start. I purchased training pants, so maybe I'll try that soon. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know!!!!!

Oh! It's all so amazing....

Pocket Bike

John purchased a pocket bike. His dad said, "it will be like a gorilla riding a tricycle." His dad was right - but John will tell you it sure is a lot of fun!

Blankie, Hoppy and Paci



Rebecca has developed some attachments recently. They aren't extreme, she just likes to have them around, especially for naps and "night-night."
She sleeps with "Hoppy," a soft, pink bunny rabbit that is nearly her height. She named the rabbit herself. After teaching her that a rabbit hops, Rebecca began affectionately calling her bunny, "Hoppy." She often uses "Hoppy" as a pillow or a snuggle buddy. I credit "Hoppy" for peaceful nights of sleep.
I now only give Rebecca a pacifier at sleepy times. On occaision, I'll slip one in during a road trip or a stroller ride if she's exceptionally fussy. She now asks for it if she's getting tired. "Paci," she says in a yearning voice. The request is usually preceded or followed by a verbal petition for "Hoppy."
She doesn't ask for a "blankie" for sleep, but she does like them - to cuddle with or to hide under. When she plays peek-a-boo now, she says "I see ya." It sounds like one word, but it's recognizable and uber-cute.

Farewell friends





Adam Messer and Jon Christophersen, two Carlson Software employees, departed recently to pursue educational endeavors. We will miss them!

First time swimming in a "big person" pool

My friend Amy accompanied Rebecca during her first swim in a big pool. Rebecca adores Amy!

Here's our cute bathing beauty...




Bluegrass Fair





From July 10 - 20, Leestown Road was even busier than usual due to the Bluegrass Fair. John and I decided to take Rebecca.

It was hot and everything at the fair was overpriced, but Rebecca enjoyed the cool duck pond, a ride on a "choo" and a circular adventure on a fire truck. We also watched an animal show.

Although it was nice to be together as a family, I was disappointed. The Germantown (hometown) Fair beats this fair any day! It lacked agriculture, livestock and that whole hometown feel. Thankfully, I was able to share the Germantown Fair experience with my friend Sarah in early August.