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
Saturday, September 19, 2009
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.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
July update - 11 months
Well, we are off visiting relatives, which for the most part seem to be the folks who read the blog anyway (sorry Jenna, Stephanie, and Karie). This week we are with the Phillips family in Cathlamet, WA. Apparently instead of celebrating the fourth of July, in Cathlament they have Bald Eagle's Day today and the town fireworks will take place this evening. Ani is now 11 months old and getting bigger every day.
She's mostly done with baby food and willing to eat just about any kind of adult food we can cut into small pieces. She says "hi" to everyone we meet, and some inanimate objects. She can also say Daddy very clearly and sometimes she can say "yay" "whee" "yeah" and "doggy". She loves the kitten at her grandparents house. The kitten is named Zoe and Anika adores playing with her. So far Zoe is very gentle and never puts out her claws so she and Anika are good friends.
On Monday we will fly to LA for a week to visit my brother Dave and his family, which should also be fun and exciting. Well, that's about it for now.
She's mostly done with baby food and willing to eat just about any kind of adult food we can cut into small pieces. She says "hi" to everyone we meet, and some inanimate objects. She can also say Daddy very clearly and sometimes she can say "yay" "whee" "yeah" and "doggy". She loves the kitten at her grandparents house. The kitten is named Zoe and Anika adores playing with her. So far Zoe is very gentle and never puts out her claws so she and Anika are good friends.
On Monday we will fly to LA for a week to visit my brother Dave and his family, which should also be fun and exciting. Well, that's about it for now.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Packing, Packing
I know it has been over a month since the last post, and I do apologize - I have been so remiss. But I am merely writing to tell you I shall be remiss some more. My digital camera is not near my computer so I cannot load any pics I may have taken in the last month to update you.
Anika has 7 teeth now - 4 on top and 3 on the bottom. She was 10 months old today, which is a wonderful age. Last night as i was getting ready for bed (Mike was out), she woke up and cried for me, so I sat on the bed and patted her tummy and she scooted her little body next to my leg and went right back to sleep.
It was a nice little moment. All she needed was to snuggle with her mommy and then she was safe and comfy and cozy and ready to drift off to dreamland again. I of course promptly abandoned her to finish getting ready for bed, but then we cuddled together for a while as she slept and I thought how wonderful it is to be a mom to a little person who is happier just being next to me than anywhere else in the world.
So we are packing up all of our belongings, because the summer of travel has almost begun! First we will move out on June 23rd and spend one night in a hotel (as my last day of work for the summer is not until June 24th). Then we will spend just under 3 weeks at the lakehouse (aka my parent's house in NC). After that it is off to Washington state to show the Phillips side of the family how much Anika has grown and spend some time catching up with all of them. It sounds like Jon will even be there so it will be one big family reunion.
After 1 week there, we move on to LA to visit my brother Dave and his family for a week. This will be our first time staying in their new house, so it will be very exciting. I just hope we will have been able to save some spending money because there are so many things to do in LA (and eat) if you can afford to go out.
Then its back to NC for a few days before we pick up Monty (who will be staying with Nana and Grandpa Locke while we are traveling) and head to our new little house by Willow Lawn.
After that, I train my replacement at VCU for 2 weeks, and then I start my full time stay at home mom daycare service. I'm open to catchy business name ideas so the government can snicker at my taxes "Julie's jubilant daycare" "Babes in Arms Childcare" "Julie's Playhouse" etc.
Anika has 7 teeth now - 4 on top and 3 on the bottom. She was 10 months old today, which is a wonderful age. Last night as i was getting ready for bed (Mike was out), she woke up and cried for me, so I sat on the bed and patted her tummy and she scooted her little body next to my leg and went right back to sleep.
It was a nice little moment. All she needed was to snuggle with her mommy and then she was safe and comfy and cozy and ready to drift off to dreamland again. I of course promptly abandoned her to finish getting ready for bed, but then we cuddled together for a while as she slept and I thought how wonderful it is to be a mom to a little person who is happier just being next to me than anywhere else in the world.
So we are packing up all of our belongings, because the summer of travel has almost begun! First we will move out on June 23rd and spend one night in a hotel (as my last day of work for the summer is not until June 24th). Then we will spend just under 3 weeks at the lakehouse (aka my parent's house in NC). After that it is off to Washington state to show the Phillips side of the family how much Anika has grown and spend some time catching up with all of them. It sounds like Jon will even be there so it will be one big family reunion.
After 1 week there, we move on to LA to visit my brother Dave and his family for a week. This will be our first time staying in their new house, so it will be very exciting. I just hope we will have been able to save some spending money because there are so many things to do in LA (and eat) if you can afford to go out.
Then its back to NC for a few days before we pick up Monty (who will be staying with Nana and Grandpa Locke while we are traveling) and head to our new little house by Willow Lawn.
After that, I train my replacement at VCU for 2 weeks, and then I start my full time stay at home mom daycare service. I'm open to catchy business name ideas so the government can snicker at my taxes "Julie's jubilant daycare" "Babes in Arms Childcare" "Julie's Playhouse" etc.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Milestones and Mother's Day
Anika finally has a top tooth. The little bugger broke free from the gums on Monday - making Monday Anika's favorite growth milestone day. She was born on a Monday, and now has cut all 3 of her teeth on Mondays.
Next Monday will be her 9 month birthday. I know, I know, you only get birthdays once a year, but 9 months is a very big deal for her mommy, who has now had her on the outside just about as long as she was on the inside. It only seems right that this particular milestone happen right around Mother's day.
For those of you who are interested in my other baby, Monty, he is adjusting to life with a little sister. She adores him, and he is being very patient with her (most of the time). I am proud to report that he has been seizure free for 9 months - so he is also celebrating his own anniversary. Hopefully his epileptic period will just be an anomaly we cannot explain but that never gets repeated.
To all my mothers and grandmothers who may be reading this post, Happy early mother's day. I never appreciated how hard it was to be you until I'd stood in your shoes for a while. Sometimes it used to seem like not that big a deal, since so many women are mother's and seem to be surviving - but this job is tough. Rewarding in new and surprising ways everyday, but still tough. Thanks for all being such great models for me.
Next Monday will be her 9 month birthday. I know, I know, you only get birthdays once a year, but 9 months is a very big deal for her mommy, who has now had her on the outside just about as long as she was on the inside. It only seems right that this particular milestone happen right around Mother's day.
For those of you who are interested in my other baby, Monty, he is adjusting to life with a little sister. She adores him, and he is being very patient with her (most of the time). I am proud to report that he has been seizure free for 9 months - so he is also celebrating his own anniversary. Hopefully his epileptic period will just be an anomaly we cannot explain but that never gets repeated.
To all my mothers and grandmothers who may be reading this post, Happy early mother's day. I never appreciated how hard it was to be you until I'd stood in your shoes for a while. Sometimes it used to seem like not that big a deal, since so many women are mother's and seem to be surviving - but this job is tough. Rewarding in new and surprising ways everyday, but still tough. Thanks for all being such great models for me.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Anika's top 10 list
Here is the list of Anika's Top 10 favorite things (or at least what I think she would say if she spoke English)
10. Electrical cords
9. Looking in the mirror
8. Scratching the sheets with your fingernails and making a fun noise. (preferrably at 3am)
7. The sound your little teeth make on a metal spoon
6. The wind in your face
5. The lines between things - like the edges of carpets
4. Daddy coming home
3. Mommy in physical proximity
2. Monty's tail
1. Playing with water
Thesis Time!
Its that time of year again when the grad students at VCU scramble to finish their degrees and enter that big bad world of (un)employment. So this week I am on two thesis committees, both planning to defend.
I am actually, secretly, super excited about it. At the moment, reading theses is the only theatre type intellectual stimulation I am getting so I am trying to enjoy myself.
I must add that one of my thesis students was in my grad pedagogy class last fall, and a quote from one of my required readings made it into her thesis. While it could very well just be kissing up to the committee, I choose to believe that I inspired her.
Anyone else out there trying to get an MFA in theatre who needs a thesis committee member, let me know. I'd love to. and I am apparently very inspiring.
I am actually, secretly, super excited about it. At the moment, reading theses is the only theatre type intellectual stimulation I am getting so I am trying to enjoy myself.
I must add that one of my thesis students was in my grad pedagogy class last fall, and a quote from one of my required readings made it into her thesis. While it could very well just be kissing up to the committee, I choose to believe that I inspired her.
Anyone else out there trying to get an MFA in theatre who needs a thesis committee member, let me know. I'd love to. and I am apparently very inspiring.
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