Once again wishing you a Happy St. Patty’s day from “Dad’s Lucky Charm!”
And just to show how things have changed in the last year, I offer you a side-by-side comparison.
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Funny how some things are totally different yet some are the exact same.
Since the vote for bangs came in as the overwhelming majority (both online and off) Simeon and I took Ana to Kid’s Castle Cuts for her very first haircut. She was excited the moment we walked in the door and instantly wanted down to play with all the toys. Then the hairstylist called Ana’s name and we were escorted to a tiny pink jeep for Ana to sit in for her haircut. Seeing that Ana was a still relatively young she popped in a Baby Einstein video to keep her entertained while she trimmed her bangs. And boy did it work! Ana was enthralled with the video and didn’t even seem to notice someone cutting her hair.
Her bangs turned out a little shorter than I envisioned, but I guess that just saves me the trouble of having to cut them myself in a few weeks. Sim worried that it looked like she had even more of a mullet than before, but once we got home I pulled her hair into little pigtails and he was much happier. Ana was adorable and we didn’t have to brush her hair out of her eyes once this afternoon. Yippee!!
Ana and I were going though her pre-bedtime routine when mid-story she insisted upon saying good-night to the dogs, excuse me, “nigh-nigh puppies” so she slid off my lap and walked over to her door. She pulled it open, poked her head out the door, and bid the dogs a good night. Then she came toddling back to me, but stopped abruptly halfway and turned back towards the door. Thinking she was trying to pull a fast one and flee her bedroom I started to reprimand her, but only got as far as, “Ana-” when she reached her door. Instead of walking through it, like I assumed she would, she actually pulled it almost shut–just like I do every night to keep the animals out of her room while she is trying to sleep. I was so shocked by her responsible behavior and at the same time I was incredibly grateful I hadn’t scolded her. Just when I think I have her all figured out, she goes and flips my world upside down. I really need to come to terms with it: I simply have the most amazing daughter.
Today is officially my fourth year of bogging! Hooray! Thank goodness it’s not a wedding anniversary, or I would have to buy you all appliances! Hey, I would if I could–Kitchenaid stand mixers for everyone!!–but I have a kid to raise and that would definitely cut into her college education (Note to self: start saving for Ana’s college education.) And since I am always planning ahead, I also coincided my blog-o-versary with my 500th post! Double bonus! Yea me!!
All kidding aside, I am so happy that I have been able to stick with blogging for as long as I have. It definitely takes dedication and perseverance to gather my thoughts and put them out there for all the world to see. But the positives far out weigh the negatives. I love knowing that all the important things (whether they seems so at the time or not) are being preserved and cherished in a way I could never have imagined. So thanks for sticking with me all these years! Here’s to many, many more!
Help
Pronounced: He’p
Meaning: Asking for assistance, mostly used when Ana is climbing something and either gets stuck or scared. May take the form of H’up when being used as a combination of “help” and “up.”
I am struggling with what to do with Ana’s hair and I thought I would put it to the Internet to help me out. I am trying to decide if I should give her bangs. Originally, when her hair was just starting to grow, the decision for no bangs was easy because her hair naturally “swoops” to the side in the front. But now that it’s getting longer, more often than not it ends up in her eyes and she looks like a ragamuffin. See?
So bangs? Or no bangs?
I have thoughts on either side. If we decide no bangs, I just need to patiently wait for her hair to grow long enough to put behind her ear or back into a ponytail. Presently I have tried to put the tiny clips in, but her hair is so fine they either slip out or are quickly pulled out by Ana herself. I can keep ponytails in longer, simply because she has to work a little harder to get the rubberbands out. But with the clips, as soon as I see her hand going for her hair, it is already too late. I had to hold her arm down just to take this picture:
If we decide on cutting bangs, my only issue is the maintenance. If her hair grows half as quickly as mine (or her father’s for that matter), we will be trimming her hair every other week. I know, I had bangs as a child. I am not worried about the cost, because I plan to do the trimming myself (the initial cut, however will have to be at a “baby saloon” to celebrate the occasion). What I do worry about is the squirm factor. I already have to turn on Blue’s Clues to keep her sitting still long enough while I trim her fingernails every week. And I would really hate for her to move while I am cutting her bangs and snip a chunk out of the middle. But I am willing to do it. Mostly because I know how much I hate having hair in my eyes.
So I want to know what you all think. Simeon doesn’t care either way. He says she will be adorable no matter what. And he is totally right. But what do you think??
Color
Pronounced: Caw-yer
Meaning: Used to describe the various hues of the world around us. Normally I am asking Ana “what color is ” and she replies back “caw-yer.” Also how she describes what she does with her DoodlePro.
Hello
Pronounced: Hi-yo
Meaning: A greeting. Formal form of “hi.” Most often used when pretending to talk on the phone or when acknowledging random strangers.
Note: Since Ana has started learning a new word literally every day I thought I would try to keep track of her ever-expanding vocabulary the way I do all her accomplishments: on my website. Make sure you check in regularly to see what my amazing daughter is gonna say next!
Ana had her 15-month doctors appointment this morning. Here are her stats from the appt:
Height: 31 1/2″ (85th percentile)
Weight: 20 lbs 12 oz (20th percentile)
Head: 46.5 cm (75th percentile)
Her doctor was a little concerned that she hasn’t gained much weight since last time. Only 8.5 oz in three months. (Thank goodness she hadn’t pooped yet, or she may have lost weight!) Apparently she is a little more active than your usual 15 month-old, because I know she eats plenty! But just to be on the safe side we have to go back in a month to check her weight. In the mean time she has to eat lots of fatty foods (butter, cheese, etc.) and let her eat as often as she pleases (like I didn’t do that already!). I guess the doctor saw a look of concern on my face when he said to up her fat intake, because he reassured me that we don’t have to worry about cholesterol until after she turns two years old.
Otherwise the appointment was pretty uneventful. She got two shots, one in each leg and only whimpered for about 20 seconds before forgetting all about it. She was more than happy to preform all the doctors tasks (walking around chasing bubbles, pointing out body parts, etc.) and even surprised him by saying “thank you” when he handed her a tongue depressor to play with. That’s my girl, always an over-achiever. I will make sure I keep you all informed on how “Mission: Gain Weight” works out.
Dear Ana,
Today you turn fifteen months old. It is so hard for me to imagine that you are only fifteen months old, because you seem like such a person to me. A couple weeks ago we had lunch with a friend of mine and her seven week-old son and I could not remember you ever being so tiny and helpless. You are so independent and amazing it is hard to believe that you were ever anything but.
You are suddenly filled with an interest in the world and everything around you. You love to go places and point out all the things you see along the way: “Car. Kitty. Car. Puppy. Baby. Tree.” There is always something for you to point out to me. And on the rare occasion there isn’t, you take the opportunity to point, say “kitty” and remind me that there was a kitty there. Once.
Last month we were in search of an activity for you and after trying out several, we finally decided upon Gymboree. Every day I am reassured that we made the right choice. You love going there so much. You wake up in the morning and say, “Pop, pop?” which is your way of asking if we are going to Gymboree today. Your favorite part of the class is when we play on the giant parachute while the teacher blows bubbles and everyone sing songs. There is a line in the song that goes “Pop. Pop. Pop the bubbles out” and it makes you so happy.
Gymboree has been amazing for you. Not only does it let you interact with other children, provides age-appropriate structure, and fun activities, but after attending just a few classes your father and I noticed a physical change as well. You have become much more confident in your balance, walking, and climbing. You use to be very timid and cautious but now you try things you wouldn’t otherwise have even considered. It has also help you to become more outgoing and friendly. You aren’t intimidated by crowds and are always the first baby to shout a friendly, “hi!” when someone enters the room. Yesterday your teacher made a joke that next week you will be leading the class.
Your warm and caring personality goes beyond the walls of our home (and Gymboree). You are mesmerized by other children and if they stand still long enough you always try to hug them. They are not always pleased to be smothered by you (particularly if they were just reprimanded by their parents), but you just want to share all the love you have and do everything to make others around you happy. Your most current interest lies in infants. The other day we were at Peanut Butter & Ellie’s Cafe (a children’s restaurant) and you were happy to spend your play time walking the perimeter of the room peeking into strollers and car seats in search of babies. Occasionally you even found a parent who was willing to let you see (or touch!) the baby and you literally shook with excitement. Everyone keeps telling me that this is very promising behavior and that you will make a great big sister. I am sure that when that day comes, you will be amazing, but I am not ready to share you yet. In the mean time, our cats and dogs provide plenty of hugging opportunities.
Your continue to blow me away with how much you talk. You learn a new word at least every day. However, once you feel comfortable with a word, your perfectionist crystal-clear enunciation starts to relax and your words become a little squished together or you drop off a syllable. Since I spend all day with you, I am usually the last one to notice because I now consider myself to be pretty fluent in “Ana-ese.” But your, “Up, p’ease” has now become closer to “upies” and “joose” is now “joo.” I can’t be too hard on you because what you lack in articulation you make up for in manners. You add please to almost everything, even “no, no, p’ease!” and I am continually amazed when you slip in a well-timed thank you, or as you say, “tay goo.”
Another milestone you have reached his month is you have finally started cleaning up or putting your toys back where you found them. As a borderline OCD mama, I have to say that this milestone pleases me almost as much as the manners. It took me awhile to realize you were cleaning up because I would go into a room where you had been playing, fully prepared to tidy in your toy wake, when I wouldn’t find anything out of place. I just assumed you went into another room without getting anything down. It wasn’t until I actually witnessed you playing with a toy then put it back on the shelf as you wandered out of the room. You can imagine my delight! I guess seeing your mama do it a hundred times a day it was bound to catch on eventually, right?
The sweetest thing you have started doing this month is whispering. Every night while we are getting ready to go to sleep, once I turn off the light I talk to you in a whisper. Generally shushing you or telling you, “it’s time for night night” or “good night, I love you.” A couple weeks ago during your last feeding of the day, you stopped nursing, looked directly into my eyes and whispered a string of jumbled syllables then went right back to nursing. Now it has become a regular occurrence and I love every incomprehensible second of it. Before I know it you will be asking me to turn off the light on my way out, so I am going to cherish you whispering me sweet nothings for as long as possible. Just try not to grow up too quickly, sweetheart. I guarantee it will happen faster than either of us is ready for.
All my love,
Mama