Kent be happier!: April 2010

Holy smokes, you’re 11 months old going on 11 years. I don’t think you could be any more of a kid and any less of a baby. All your mannerisms have changed, you sit on your knees and throws toys and tantrums. When and why did you grow up so much? With your first birthday knocking at the door, I am overwhelmed with sorrow and pride. My little baby is gone and in its place is you, a rough and tumble little girl. Lucky for me there are still hints of your baby-ness in the rolls of your thighs and that’s about it. I watch you learn, it is so fulfilling and entertaining to see you solve problems and you do! You never ask for help first, you just try and figure things out on your own. So intelligent. Today I saw you work your way over a wire to climb under the OMM table, then you were stuck but you managed to figure your way out and then back under and then back out. All on your own. Sure you knocked your head on the bar and fell on your face but you figured it out alone and being so tough you never cried or whined. Its just you. Smart and daring. Always doing things bigger kids are and striving to keep up. You are a little bully, too. You stand your ground and aren’t afraid of kids twice your size! That’s my girl. Aliya, not only are you smart but you are so sweet. You give hugs and smile ear to ear, especially, when your dad comes home from work. You are easy to please and have such a sweet temperament. This past few weeks you have been shuffled around and I haven’t been able to take you to all the places I like to, like the library, the play place at the mall and other play areas, but you just go with the flow. Thank you for bring so sweet and going to Lowes and Home Depot with me every day, sometimes twice a day and on days like today three times. We are going through a rough time right now since I am trying to wean you by your first birthday. It is hard on us both. You just nestle you head in my arm and start to bite my shirt and suck my arm, signs you want to nurse and I distract you or hand you a sippy cup of formula. I am sorry, its your God given right to nurse and I am taking it away from you starting with day feedings and eventually before bed and morning feedings. I love nursing you and if it wasn’t important that I stop, I wouldn’t. I wish I could explain to you how and why your dad and I came to this decision so you wouldn’t feel I was neglecting you. I love you so very much. My princess. I know this last month before your first birthday will shock and surprise me as much as the last 10 months did and I am looking forward to every moment of it. Happy 11 month birthday sweetheart.

New things-

Walking…? You are so super close! You have taken your first steps but you have yet to take the leap and walk. You walked from your me to your dad in the living room, then in El Paso you walked from the barstool to me and when we got back you walked across a table to your dad from me. You can do it, I have seen you, you stand and have walked up to 4 steps but something is holding you back from actually walking but I know it wont be long!

Cell Phone- Everything is a cell phone to you. It is unbelievably cute how you hold up random objects to your ear and start to talk, its even cuter when its actually a cell phone.

Books- You are obsessed with books the last few days. All you want to do it read and look at your books. A box full of toys and all you want is your books. Our little book worm.

Talking- not only do you babble all the time but you are starting you mimic words. You still say mama, dada, bye-bye, hi, and no (na-na-na-na while shaking your head) but you also say whoo whoo when you see a dog.

For some reason you are hating having your diaper changed, you must think its boring because you turn and try and crawl away and are just hard to handle, I hope this passes soon.

You are still obsessed with shoes and taking yours off. I can’t get you to keep a pair of shoes on for anything! No matter what type I buy you figure out how to take them off and throw them away, an expensive problem since your shoes are $30+ a pair!

Pointing- WOW! This is amazing, you and I can communicate now! You point at what you want and it makes everything so much easier. I know what you want. I love it. Duth or Pani? Food or toy? You just point and tell me! It’s awesome, I love having a way to communicate with you and can’t wait till you can talk and hold a conversation with me.

Teeth- You definitely have another tooth down below and I think the one coming in up top is out, but you won't let me check, so 7 maybe 8.

***Sleeping*** My sweet girl, you have given me such a gift by sleeping though the night. I think it has been almost a year and a half since I had a full 8 hours of sleep, until now! You have given this back to me and I couldn't love you more! Thank you!