Anika is 16 months today. This past month she just barely figured out how to climb on top of the ottoman and launch herself over the arm of the couch in order to stand on the sofa. Today, however, she forgot how to do it. I must admit, I am not disappointed that she cannot remember how, but I am surprised.
At the moment she is a bit miserable. She has a stuffy nose and a cough and a horrible diaper rash, all of which seem to stem from the fact that she is getting all 4 pointy little canine teeth simultaneously. Up until now we haven't had much of an issue with teething. She is a pretty easy going good natured little champ. But this one is a bit harder on her. poor thing.
I posted last month about all of her words. Well she has lots more words now, and is getting to be a pretty good mimic. My current "favorite" word is when she asks for her Bib. It sounds a lot like "boob" and I just picture myself trying to explain that one in public. Monty is May may, Bridget is BB or Babbette, Da da and Mama are obvious, even though she used to say Daddy. She asks for nack when she needs a snack and says day day instead of thank you and peas instead of please, but uses please and thank you in the appropriate spots of the conversation. Her favorite song is "hush little baby". She hates getting her diaper changed most of the time, loves brushing her teeth, LOVES shaking the bell ornaments while we sing jingle bells.
Still is a big fan of bathtime, and adores her ponies from great Aunt Chan. The pink pony gets carried around the house while Anika yells "NAY". The brown rocking horse gets ridden, and Anika can mount the pony and make him sing all by herself - though she sometimes needs help getting down.
She can eat applesauce from a bowl with a spoon all by herself and probably 2/3 of the applesauce gets to her mouth. Just this week she has started furrowing her eyebrows to tell me she does not like the question I am asking her or she is not pleased.
Ani adores music of almost every kind. Loves to dance, clap, and is trying very hard to get the sign language right for "sing" so she can tell me when she needs a song. She gives kisses on command (or request) and loves to play chase up and down the hallway, though she prefers it if you chase her. Curtains are a big guilty pleasure, as mommy is displeased with playing in them but they are so much fun to hide in. Today I was wearing a long sweater and she decided to hide in that since I have moved all the curtains out of reach.
Most nights she wakes up once or twice before we have gone to bed, but she sleeps through the night until morning. Probably mommy and daddy are noisy with our tv watching and talking. She is very cuddly and still loves to be in the wrap that Jenna made for us while I am cooking dinner or we go for a walk. Hopefully she will still love it after being cooped up on the planes at Christmas time.
She used the potty for the first time this month. Mostly it was accidental, but after she pooped on the floor while getting down onto the potty, she did manage to pee in the potty. It was very exciting. Anika was a bit scared so we have not had a repeat performance. Plenty of time for that later. She does love to sit on the potty, naked or clothed, and we read books and sing.
I hope you have enjoyed this little update. Its good to remember how wonderful it is to have a 16 month old. I want her to stay 1 forever. It is so lovely. We are better rested now, and enjoying each other's company. This week has been hard with the teething and cold, but most of the time she is a joy and I can't imagine my life without her. So in case we don't meet again this month on the blog - Happy Christmas to all!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Phillips Family Photos
We took photos this summer while we were visiting my brother Dave and his family, but I don't think I have posted them yet. So here they are. Enjoy.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Words Words Words
It seems that 14 months is a time when toddlers often pick up new words. I thought it would be a good exercise to try and remember what words Ani is saying, what she is signing, etc. If I don't write it down now, I will never remember.
So,
words she can say:
Bah (ball)
Daw (dog)
on
on (sometimes it means again)
awlp (help)
MMMMoooore (more)
moo
Neigh
Daddy
yesh (yes)
nnnnoooooh (no)
nnnnooooh (nose - I know, it sounds the same as no, but the z sound isn't there yet. this is usually accompanied by pointing at her nose)
Ah dun (all done)
AAAAHHHHHHH (I am very frustrated right now!) - ok, so that isn't a word. But she is definitely using this one very often and trying to communicate so I felt it belonged here.
words she can sign:
more
light
milk
water (she can't actually do this sign yet. BUT, when I do the sign she makes a very specific hand motion not at all the same as mine, which I believe is her attempt to do the sign. So, she can sign water, but it is just a sign she has made up on her own)
food
please (this one is adorable - usually very emphatic and done with both hands, just in case mommy isn't getting the hint)
shoe
all done
Hope you have enjoyed the vocabulary update.
:)
So,
words she can say:
Bah (ball)
Daw (dog)
on
on (sometimes it means again)
awlp (help)
MMMMoooore (more)
moo
Neigh
Daddy
yesh (yes)
nnnnoooooh (no)
nnnnooooh (nose - I know, it sounds the same as no, but the z sound isn't there yet. this is usually accompanied by pointing at her nose)
Ah dun (all done)
AAAAHHHHHHH (I am very frustrated right now!) - ok, so that isn't a word. But she is definitely using this one very often and trying to communicate so I felt it belonged here.
words she can sign:
more
light
milk
water (she can't actually do this sign yet. BUT, when I do the sign she makes a very specific hand motion not at all the same as mine, which I believe is her attempt to do the sign. So, she can sign water, but it is just a sign she has made up on her own)
food
please (this one is adorable - usually very emphatic and done with both hands, just in case mommy isn't getting the hint)
shoe
all done
Hope you have enjoyed the vocabulary update.
:)
Sunday, October 4, 2009
And finally some pics.
Ani and her little buddy playing with water in the bathtub. Aren't they adorable?
Its music day! Heart and soul anyone?
Ani and her Aunt Sarah just before Sarah has to head back to the airport.
My happy girl rolling around on the floor just a day or two ago. Look at all those teeth!Friday, October 2, 2009
Why all 1 year olds should have a Dog
1. No need for Mommy to sweep after meals
2. someone who will eat the asparagus when you don't want to
3. there's always a friend to cuddle with, even if he doesn't like it and growls
4. there's always someone to follow around the yard
5. a buddy to sleep under the crib and chase away monsters
2. someone who will eat the asparagus when you don't want to
3. there's always a friend to cuddle with, even if he doesn't like it and growls
4. there's always someone to follow around the yard
5. a buddy to sleep under the crib and chase away monsters
Saturday, September 19, 2009
13 months
Well, I have more video and pics to post, but unfortunately up until a few minutes ago, I misplaced my camera. So you will just have to wait.
Ani is 13 months now and she is quite a character. She walks around regularly now - and has mostly given up crawling altogether. Last week she discovered running, which is so cute since it ends in lots of tumbles. I am sure it will get less cute when she gets faster, but for now it is adorable. Her arms are still in the air like frankenstein's monster in order to maintain balance, so if she keeps that up we may have to dress her like a monster for halloween and have her walk around the neighborhood.
After much debate, we have decided not to delay most vaccinations. Perhaps this is not much of a choice for most people, but there is compelling anecdotal evidence to suggest that waiting a few years on the vaccines is not a big deal and may be beneficial. We have chosen not to wait for the very simple fact that our pediatrician recommends we don't, and many of the early vaccines are for diseases that could be fatal if an infant catches them. We considered not immunizing her for chicken pox, which is recommended now, simply because it appears to be a stronger immunization if the just gets the disease in childhood. But since she is too little to respond when we tell her to stop scratching, we decided it would be best to give her the first dose, and then decided later if we want her to have the booster, or just be exposed to the disease after that.
So... this means that right now Anika is covered almost head to toe in little red spots. Apparently one mild but common side effect for both the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and chicken pox vaccinations is the appearance of spots that resemble the disease we are immunizing her from.
She is also enjoying playing each weekday with her buddy Bridget. They are just one month apart and very cute together. They are learning how to hug, and while one child usually ends up falling down and crying, they seem to enjoy it and keep trying. They are also just big enough to take turns riding on our little push airplane and pushing each other up and down the hallway, which is super adorable.
At 18 lbs 15oz fully clothed, she is still in the 5th% for her weight, 50th% for height, and 75th% for head size. An interesting combination, no?
As far as words go, Anika has made great progress with nodding. She now mostly knows the difference between nods and shaking her head no so it is easier to figure out what she wants. She can also ask for more using sign language, which she does regularly.
Most excitingly for mommy, she has begun to put herself to sleep with Mommy sitting near her crib, instead of rocking forever. It also means she is going longer in her crib at night, hooray!
She has now cut 10, possibly 11 teeth altogether. The last 2, possibly 3 molars have come in the last 2 weeks. We were surprised because she skipped the pointy incisor teeth and went straight to the first molars, but apparently that is what is supposed to happen. Go figure. All the other teeth were right next to each other but the pediatrician probably knows what she is talking about so I am not sorried.
Well, as the laptop battery is dying, this shall end the post today. Much love to all
Ani is 13 months now and she is quite a character. She walks around regularly now - and has mostly given up crawling altogether. Last week she discovered running, which is so cute since it ends in lots of tumbles. I am sure it will get less cute when she gets faster, but for now it is adorable. Her arms are still in the air like frankenstein's monster in order to maintain balance, so if she keeps that up we may have to dress her like a monster for halloween and have her walk around the neighborhood.
After much debate, we have decided not to delay most vaccinations. Perhaps this is not much of a choice for most people, but there is compelling anecdotal evidence to suggest that waiting a few years on the vaccines is not a big deal and may be beneficial. We have chosen not to wait for the very simple fact that our pediatrician recommends we don't, and many of the early vaccines are for diseases that could be fatal if an infant catches them. We considered not immunizing her for chicken pox, which is recommended now, simply because it appears to be a stronger immunization if the just gets the disease in childhood. But since she is too little to respond when we tell her to stop scratching, we decided it would be best to give her the first dose, and then decided later if we want her to have the booster, or just be exposed to the disease after that.
So... this means that right now Anika is covered almost head to toe in little red spots. Apparently one mild but common side effect for both the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and chicken pox vaccinations is the appearance of spots that resemble the disease we are immunizing her from.
She is also enjoying playing each weekday with her buddy Bridget. They are just one month apart and very cute together. They are learning how to hug, and while one child usually ends up falling down and crying, they seem to enjoy it and keep trying. They are also just big enough to take turns riding on our little push airplane and pushing each other up and down the hallway, which is super adorable.
At 18 lbs 15oz fully clothed, she is still in the 5th% for her weight, 50th% for height, and 75th% for head size. An interesting combination, no?
As far as words go, Anika has made great progress with nodding. She now mostly knows the difference between nods and shaking her head no so it is easier to figure out what she wants. She can also ask for more using sign language, which she does regularly.
Most excitingly for mommy, she has begun to put herself to sleep with Mommy sitting near her crib, instead of rocking forever. It also means she is going longer in her crib at night, hooray!
She has now cut 10, possibly 11 teeth altogether. The last 2, possibly 3 molars have come in the last 2 weeks. We were surprised because she skipped the pointy incisor teeth and went straight to the first molars, but apparently that is what is supposed to happen. Go figure. All the other teeth were right next to each other but the pediatrician probably knows what she is talking about so I am not sorried.
Well, as the laptop battery is dying, this shall end the post today. Much love to all
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Happy Birthday Anika
Ani turned 1 year old today, and I think she had a pretty special day. It actually started yesterday. We had a pre-birthday trip to King's Dominion to play in the water park. Aunt Sarah is here visiting so we took Sarah to the water park and we took turns going down slides and playing with Ani in the pools and kid parts of the park. Anika LOVED being in the water, and had a great time. I am happy to report that even though it was quite hot outside, there were no sunburns for baby.
Then, and this is most exciting, she celebrated by sleeping in her crib in her own room all by herself all night long for the very first time. It was WONDERFUL. Of course we cuddled a bunch extra during the day today to make up for the lost cuddle time.
Today we stayed in the house and played. Anika had cake before dinner with strawberries on top. She loved the strawberries but was not into the cake at all. I guess we are doing something right.
I hope you enjoy the video.
Then, and this is most exciting, she celebrated by sleeping in her crib in her own room all by herself all night long for the very first time. It was WONDERFUL. Of course we cuddled a bunch extra during the day today to make up for the lost cuddle time.
Today we stayed in the house and played. Anika had cake before dinner with strawberries on top. She loved the strawberries but was not into the cake at all. I guess we are doing something right.
I hope you enjoy the video.
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