Formerly the blog for my daughter Eliza, where we posted from her birth until she began Kindergarten, now all the old posts are integrated into Pattern Recognition.
I must admit, I didn’t necessarily want to fall into the “daddy” stereotypes, but one where I fall firmly is in the sort of play that Eliza and I enjoy. Lots more physical, more rolling around, flipping, hanging upside down than Bets would ever try.
The good news for me is, of course, she loves it. And is very clear when she’s reached her limit of excitement, and wants to just lay down for a minute.
Since starting daycare on August 1, Eliza has had: 3 ear infections, 1 sinus infection, a cold, and a stomach virus that led to horrible diaper rash. When will this winter from hell be over?
Everyone keeps telling us she’ll get stronger, that this is some sort of rite of passage that all little ones go through. But I just feel so sorry for her. She has had more fevers in the last month than I can count on both hands. I think she has forgotten what feeling “normal” is even like.
And by the way, she’s 13 months old now. But the 12th month was a rough one. So we’re going to just move on and hope for better days ahead.
Hobbies: driving (just kidding!), walking (or should I say toddling), putting thing into containers and dumping them out, finger painting, reading books with mom and dad, feeding her babies and stuffed animals, feeding mom and dad, mimicking sounds and words.
Favorite books: Where to begin? Especially loves all books by Matthew Van Fleet (lots of cool textures) and the “That’s Not My…” series (she has robot, monster, and snowman…guess who got her which book, mommy or daddy???)
Favorite foods: We’ve unfortunately slipped into toddlerhood in this category. Is now rejecting old favorites (read: lots of the vegetables she once loved!). Greatly prefers things like cheese, any kind of bread product, turkey, ham, yogurt, Goldfish crackers, and most fruits. Is on an interesting and strange strike against pears, though. Surprisingly doesn’t like her Dad’s delicious scrambled eggs. Hoping she’ll come around.
Favorite toys: She got lots of new stuff for birthday and Christmas, but she loves all the books the most. Also her new drum and instrument set from Nana. Still obsessed with any and all baby dolls. Also likes her shape sorter, which she can do with help.
Changes and milestones: has at least one of her molars and is getting the other three. Has been a trooper about it, though. Now sitting forward facing in her carseat. Started walking for real a few days before Christmas! Can climb steps frighteningly fast. Says lots of words and learns more almost every day. Her favorite new word is “ball,” which comes out more like “baw.”
Eliza had three, yes, THREE, Christmases. She got to open presents and eat wonderful meals at Pop and Nana’s in Georgia and also at Papaw’s house in Kentucky. And got tons of wonderful gifts (thanks, everybody!). Her favorites were, of course, all the new books she got. And two new baby dolls from Nana, including her first Cabbage Patch Kid.
Eliza did fine with all the traveling and sleeping in strange places. She also let all of the relatives hold her and play with her, even the ones she hadn’t seen in a while. Her favorite person of all was her four-year-old cousin, Hannah. She tried to indoctrinate Eliza into the ways of the Disney Princesses and My Little Ponies, but I don’t think it has had any lasting effect. We hope not!
Eliza’s one year checkup was yesterday, and she apparently had quite a growth spurt recently. They measured her at 31 inches, which puts her in the 95th percentile for height!! Still around 75th for weight and head. So overall, a big, healthy girl.
She sort of enjoyed the examination, thanks to all the cool gadgets, cherry-flavored tongue depressor, and nice doctor. But the vaccinations were not fun. She got over them pretty quickly, but I hadn’t heard her cry like that in a long time.
More on our almost-toddler soon. Will post a 12 month “profile” in the next few days!
We had a small party for Eliza yesterday, and she had her first taste of cake. We baked a cupcake just for her, a smaller version of the big cake (yellow with buttercream frosting and sprinkles). It was a HUGE hit, and she ate every single bite and wanted more frosting. That’s my girl!
We had a great crowd, and everybody seemed to enjoy the festivities. Eliza had help opening her gifts from some two-year-old friends, and she seems to like her new loot. She got lots of books, bath toys, a stuffed seal from Daddy, a toy phone, a cool shape sorter, and a gorgeous handmade vest.
The big day is tomorrow, 12/15. One year old! None of us can believe it.
Eliza is 11 months old today! She took several steps (3-4 at a time, 3-4 times) today! Walking is just around the corner. Uh oh…
Favorite foods: broccoli, cheese, yogurt, mandarin oranges, banana
Favorite toys: all her dolls and stuffed animals, empty bottles, anything she finds in the bathroom when we forget to shut the door
Favorite hobbies: “feeding” her babies, hugging them, talking to them, etc. Talking and talking and talking in her special Eliza language, trying to walk.
Much to her dad’s chagrin, Eliza loves the few dolls that people have given her as gifts. She calls them “babies.” She “talks” to them, gathers them all in her arms, hugs them, drags them around the house, brushes their hair, and sometimes pretends to feed them when she is finished with her bottle. Dad is proud to say, though, that she also likes the enormous Iron Giant action figure that he let her borrow. And her stuffed bats and monsters.
She has slowed down in her desire to walk and instead put her energies toward learning to talk. She has at least six words that she says clearly and consistently: mama, daddy, baby, cat, duck, and dog/doggy. She has also said “teddy” (for teddy bear) a few times and sometimes instead of “cat” says “kitty.” She clearly understands many more words: no (and usually obeys, shaking her head), bottle, shoes, socks, book, blankie, lion and some other animal words. I’m trying to teach her colors, and I’m starting to speak to her more in Spanish. So far she smiles, but she can tell it’s not our “real” language.
Eliza has a fifth tooth! It took us a little bit by surprise. We’re assuming the sixth one is on the way soon.
Still not walking, but trying really hard. Can now pull up and stand, letting go of the furniture, for about 10 seconds. Getting better and better with the whole balance thing.
Lots has happened since the last post: another ear infection, her first Halloween (Eliza was a bat!), a trip to Gatlinburg with family, and her first presidential election (Eliza helped Daddy vote).
