Cooking with Mama!

You might remember this post?

That was then . . .

. . . THIS is now!

(I have to pry that Bumbo off of her legs every single time . . .)

I wish I could soak up more of her!

Newest Sign: "Help"

It really has been fun teaching Ross new signs. I'll admit, I don't teach her everything and often times I forget . . . but it truly has been helpful when we're trying to decipher what it is she wants.

This week we started using the sign "help."

Help = flat bottom hand lifts the fist up

Here she wanted help opening the toy cabinet. And, again, although her sign isn't exactly the same, she clearly was showing me her version along with trying to say the word.

Here's a happy baby!

Let the Summer Begin!

If only we could all be so easily entertained . . .

Sleep Schedule

Ross is 13 months, but will soon be 14 months. For many months now, she has been on a pretty great sleep schedule . . .

8:30am-10:00am: Morning Nap

2:00pm-4:00pm: Afternoon Nap

7:30pm-6:30am: Nighttime Sleep

However, lately that morning nap has been a bit unpredictable . . . sometimes not falling asleep until 9 or after . . . and occasionally not falling asleep at all.

So . . . as much as it pains me to give up my morning "ME time" (i.e. exercise/shower), it's time.

Today was the first day that we intentionally skipped the morning nap. And, I have to say, it went pretty well! We went for a (very sweaty) jog in the stroller first thing . . . and was finished with a shower by 9:30am. Granted, I had to do quite a bit of multitasking, but I think it's safe to say every mother's used to that.

If things go as planned, then her new schedule will be a bit like this . . .

1:30pm-4:30pm: Afternoon Nap

7:30pm-6:30am: Nighttime Sleep (maybe even a few minutes longer with the new transition?? . . . wishful thinking, I know.)

Happy 6th Birthday, Alex!

We celebrated Alex's birthday this year at Frankie's Fun Park!

This was certainly a new experience for little miss Ross.

We just didn't know what to do first . . .

the games?

the horses?

the motorcycles?

And what about the cake!?!?!

We definitely don't pass that up!

It was such a great day!

In fact, it couldn't have been any more perfect . . .

that is, unless we managed to get one of those dern stuffed animals!

Happy Birthday, Alex!

Aiken Bluegrass Festival

This is the first time I've had the chance to go to the Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and despite the weather, it turned out to be wonderful!!

Later in the weekend we all went to see my grandmother, Mammer!

What a fun time!

A "My Gym" Update

As of right now, Ross is the oldest baby in her "My Gym" class. In less than a month she'll be moving up to the next age group (with all her old buddies).

(Although, currently it seems as though she doesn't mind being the eldest all too much...)

Ross has recently started to recognize the words "My Gym," and gets very excited when I mention it to her!

She's certainly on the move and gets into everything there!

(Who wouldn't love that!)

We always look forward to the new activity planned for the day.

I couldn't help but wish I could have taken part in this one . . .

I . . . I mean, we already can't wait for next time!

Silly Girl!

Now, of course I knew it'd be hard keeping the stainless steel smudgefree when we got it . . .

But, never . . .

ever . . .

did I think it'd be this hard . . .

12 Month Well Check

Ridiculously late, I know. And, even though it's a month behind, I had to get it in. I want to make sure I have record of this one day. So . . . maybe we'll just call this 12/13 month update!

Ross had her check up the very same day little, baby Smith was born. And since I was with Jennifer, Grady took Ross to her 12 month well check all by himself. Thank goodness he took a few snapshots on his phone.

She is one growing baby, that's for sure!

Weight: 24 lbs. (90th percentile)

Length: 30 inches (93rd percentile)

Head Circumference: 18 inches (93rd percentile)

Here are a few happenings from these 2 months . . .

She:

• started rocking back and forth on anything that rocks.
• is pulling up on everything including her crib . . . I've noticed her several times now trying to pull down things on her wall . . . not good.
• started "talking" on the phone.
• showed "all done" sign.
• showed "fan" sign.
• showed "light" sign.
• tried "snack/eat" sign.
• started giving real hugs . . . the kind where she'll put her arms around you and pat your back . . . there's no mistaken that!
• tries to "feed" her new doll baby (ridiculously cute, by the way!)
• has 8 teeth!
• still loves the outdoors.
• adores all animals (but especially dogs, kitty cats, and teddy bears).
• continues to go crazy over books.
• loves to be chased on the floor while crawling.
• wants her daddy to hold her whenever he's in the room. (She does not do this with her mama...thank goodness!)
• loves a bath.
• still would choose NOT to ride in a car.
• says, "da da," "mama," "baby," "hey," "bye" (not "bye-bye," just "bye") and "hot."
• tries hard to imitate many other words we say.
• will express "no" by shaking her head and "yes" by twirling her hands and feet in excitement.
• can point out her: head, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, hands, fingers, belly button, knees, feet and toes.
• attempts to sing along to several songs and will try the hand motions to "The Itsy Bitsy Spider."
• sleeps with 12 plugs . . . and manages to get every single one in her mouth at least two or three times during the night.
• continues to take a morning and afternoon nap daily . . . though her morning nap is becoming more and more sporadic.
• still eats pureed vegetables even though everything else she eats is solid. (It's the only way I can get veggies in her!!)
• loves yogurt, kiwi and mandarine oranges most of all!

It is so fun watching her grow into her sweet, little personality! It's hard knowing how fast she's growing, but seeing who she's becoming makes me only want to see more.

She is definitely one wonderful, little girl.