Brand New World

IMG_2307

Originally uploaded by griffey

We love everything about fall, and I think it’s rubbing off on Eliza. Could it be the Little People toys we’ve gotten her (trick-or-treat house and hayride set)? Could it be the awesome trip to Bear Wallow Farm in Nancy, KY where she picked out her own pumpkin, petted animals, and led all her cousins through a corn maze? Could it be the beautiful fall leaves, which she now picks up to take home, along with rocks, pinecones, and other treasures? Could it be all the books about Halloween and her impending excitement about trick-or-treating?

Who knows, but these past few weeks have been Eliza (and mommy and daddy) heaven.

IMG_0915, originally uploaded by griffey.

Eliza has learned to say “What’s that?” and now we’re doomed. It’s not the dreaded “why,” but it’s pretty close. Because she asks all the time, about everything, even when she knows the answer perfectly well. “Eliza, it’s a spoon. You know what a spoon is. You’ve said it since you were 13 months old.”

She’s not saying “Who’s that?” yet, but instead points to strangers and asks “This one?” as in, what’s this one’s name? She doesn’t yet realize that mom and dad don’t know everything.

IMG_0841, originally uploaded by griffey.

I think the most fascinating process in Eliza’s growth and development so far is watching her learn about emotions: what they are, how to talk about them, and how to recognize them in others.

Every morning, daddy says, “How do you feel?” And she always says, “Happy!” She also reports on the well-being of her classmates at daycare. So-and-so cries. So-and-so sad. And she knows the word “scary,” and uses it more or less correctly, like when she pointed at the covers of some of Jason’s videogames and said, “Mommy, that’s scary.” So I moved them. She looks carefully at the faces in her books, and tells me which ones are angry, sad, happy, surprised.

But the best of all is hearing her say, “I love you,” which comes out more like “I duv u.” But we know what it means. And it’s awesome.

IMG_2067, originally uploaded by griffey.

Eliza has been going through what some call a “sleep regression.” Probably due to some crazy developmental stuff that’s keeping her body and brain too jacked up to settle down properly, she has decided she hates going to bed. This is the same child who was “Ferberized” at 6 months and has gone to bed easily and happily since then and slept through the night with no problem. All of a sudden, she is afraid of the dark, or doesn’t want to be away from mommy and daddy, or simply doesn’t want to go to bed. So for a week, bedtime has become traumatic for everyone.

We tried a nightlight. It made things worse (creepy shadows). She has plenty of “lovies” in the bed with her and her “bankie,” which is the same one she’s always had. We use the same iron clad (and, until now, successful) wind-down routine: bath, books, singing, bed.

Last night was a little bit better. I’m not sure what made a difference, though. Hopefully every night will get a little better until this phase is finally over.

IMG_1905, originally uploaded by griffey.

Eliza has had lots of “big girl” moments lately…

* She has started to use the potty, although not consistently, and certainly not if she’s too busy playing. She has gone successfully about 8 times. And she usually tells us when she needs to go.

* Is now drinking well out of cups with lids/straws (rather than spill-proof sippy cups) and is starting to work on regular cups.

* Knows what it means to “ask like a big girl” (without whining, saying please). Often needs to be prompted, but at least she knows the difference.

* Can jump!!!! Her feet finally came off the ground the other day, and now she’s doing it consistently.

* Can climb up on her step stool to wash her hands, and climb down when finished. Will do this when asked.

* Can draw a circle! It happened out of nowhere, but she has repeated it several times. Pretty impressive!!!

* Knows emotion words like mad, sad, happy, excited, and scared. Starting to tell us how she is feeling and notice how others are feeling, too.

* Occupies herself for much longer periods of time. Her favorite way to do this is to pull all the books off her shelf and look at them. Asks us to put her mattress on the floor so she can sit and “read” by herself. When Daddy asked if she wanted him to read to her this morning, she said, “I do it myself.”

Eliza & Noah

Originally uploaded by griffey

Eliza with her friend Noah at the Children’s Discovery Museum in Chattanooga, TN. She’s not quite to the “playing with” stage, more “playing around”, but she loves the company, so I call it a success.

IMG_8177.JPG, originally uploaded by griffey.

Monday, Eliza had her eyes checked at Vanderbilt. She does have a partially blocked tear duct, but it’s not bad enough to warrant surgery. Hurray!

Afterwards, we had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, merely for toddler entertainment value and certainly not for the food! Eliza was in heaven and still talks about the rainforest. The moving gorillas and elephants were okay, but her favorite things were all the fish tanks and the nighttime sky, which inspired her to sing several rounds of “Twinkle, Twinkle.”

Tuesday she started at her new daycare, and it was a freakishly easy transition. I feared the worst, but she was immediately comfortable with her new teachers and her new room. This place gives lots of daily feedback, and so far she has been praised for her “focus,” ability to follow directions, her patience (!?!), and how she is willing and excited to participate in any activity. They have also remarked on her singing and the astounding number of books she wants them to read daily. They have already read every single book they own, and it’s only day 4.

Eliza was fine at her other daycare, but at the new place, I think she will flourish.

IMG_8177.JPG

Originally uploaded by griffey

Huge day for Eliza today, as we both visited Vanderbilt Pediatric Eye Institute and her new daycare. The eye visit was to double check a blocked tear duct…turns out her right eye has a partially obstructed duct, but it isn’t serious and doesn’t need surgery. This visit also led to my favorite new medical phrase: “Lacrimal Lake”.

She also visited her new daycare today, and we spent a couple of hours almost seeing what she thought. A few rough patches, but I think she’s going to do ok. We’ll see how she does by the end of the week!

IMG_0658, originally uploaded by griffey.

Eliza is on vacation, between daycares, spending a whole week with Mommy. So far so good, but it’s only Monday.

It’s amazing to me how much activity you can pack into a normal day with a toddler. Today, we have already built a fort in the kitchen, colored in coloring books, played with blocks, played with ponies and other plastic figurines, gone to the park, gone to the grocery store, watched 1/2 an episode of Sesame Street, played with bubbles and water in the yard, had snacks and lunch, and a two hour nap. And there are still 3 hours until Daddy gets home. What do teachers DO with kids all day in daycare?? They must be more creative than I am.

IMG_1730, originally uploaded by griffey.

Today is Eliza’s last day at her current daycare. She has had her ups and downs there, but it has been a wonderful experience overall. She has learned so much. Most importantly, she has learned that other people besides mommy and daddy can take care of her and do a great job. She has also learned how to play with others, how to follow a routine, and how to clean up (not that she always does it).

A part of me is sad that we’re closing this chapter of her life. She has been there for one whole year, from 7 months old. But I believe she is ready for a change, new challenges, and new stimulation, new friends. But first, a whole week with mommy. It’s the last gasp of summer!