12 months. ONE YEAR.

Valentine's Day is here (well, it was a week ago...) which means our little sweetheart is one year old!  It doesn't quite seem possible that Lydia has been in our family for 12 months.  She has experienced so much in her first year of life and we look forward to what the next year will bring.  Lydia is loved so much by her big brother - we can only hope that continues for a few years yet!  I was apprehensive about adding another child to our family, mostly for Colin's sake.  But he has been the absolute best big brother and watching the two of them interact and play is what it's all about!  Liddy is on the move, crawling faster by the day and getting closer to walking on her own.  She loves to cruise furniture and walk holding onto our hands or behind her car toy.  Her left hip and leg seem to be a little slower than the right so we'll have her checked again at her well-child exam.  I should also add that she still has a big gummy smile!  No teeth but there are quite a few white spots on her red, swollen gums. 

Likes:  singing, dancing, waving, turning book pages, peek-a-boo, bathtime, playing and laughing with Colin

Dislikes:  having something [a toy] taken away, being tired



Birthday Girl

The birthday girl was celebrated last weekend with a valentine/heart party.  I figure I can get away with that theme for quite a few years yet, right?!  Lydia had a great time entertaining her family and opening presents.  The highlight of the day had to be dancing to the music in the birthday card from the Zimney's.



11 months

This little monkey is 11 months old!  Lydia continues to be our happy little girl; such an easy-going baby who fills our house and lives with laugher and smiles. 

Likes:  waving, blowing kisses, really starting to enjoy books more, turning book pages, playing peek-a-boo

Dislikes:  unfamiliar faces (although this has gotten better), being tired

A few signs have started to become more consistent.  Lydia will sign "all done" after almost every meal; "more" is still hit and miss.  She is good at following simple commands: clap your hands, give that to mom/dad, stop, no.  She will also shake her head back and forth when she's told no. :) 

Lydia - 10 months

Now that Lydia is on the move, EVERYTHING has changed!  Gone are the days of non-baby-friendly items being strewn throughout the house, Colin no longer has his own toys, and we're going through bottles of lotion like crazy for her poor knees.  She is loving her mobility and [fortunately] has yet to master the steps.  We're quite certain that whenever it happens, we're really in trouble. 

Other than the large motor milestone, something else has changed in Lydia from 9 to 10 months.  She is suddenly more of a girl and less of a baby.  She is very observant and determined; she knows what she wants and won't let anyone stop her from getting/doing it.  This last month has been full of waving, clapping, mimicking sounds/words, "singing", and laughing.

Lydia's daily routine hasn't changed much.  She still loves her sleep!  Naps are at 9:00 and 12:45/1:00 and she last eats at 7:00 and is in bed sleeping right around 7:15.  A lunch meal was added at 10 months and so far it's going well.  She resembles her brother in that she loves to eat!  New favorites are yogurt and mashed potatoes.   

Likes:  music/dancing/singing, playing with her LeapFrog table, playing with anything that isn't a toy, crawling

Dislikes:  being tired, unfamiliar faces, getting dressed



Just for fun, our budding photographer & his adorable subject



 

And so it begins...

The little girl is finally on the move!  She has been so close for quite some time but she finally moved forward right on her 10-month-day.  She seems to enjoy being able to explore with freedom.  Grabbing all of the books on the bookshelf in her room is now at the top of her favorite activities list.  Her brother crawled at 9 months, so considering she's only been out of a DDH apparatus for 2 months I'd say crawling at 10 months is pretty good! 

More videos and the 10-month post coming soon...

9 months

How is this possible?!  Little Lydia has now been out, in our arms, the same amount of time as she was in.  The 9 month milestone has been an eventful one.  Our house is now full of constant babbles, squeals of delight, occasional clapping, and [a form of] crawling.  No toy or crumb of food is safe from Liddy; she quickly scoots around on her bottom or reaches forward to her tummy and pushes herself backward to get what she wants.  She is rocking back and forth while on her hands and knees...maybe she'll full-on crawl before Christmas?  Liddy is still a peanut, weighing in around 15 lbs. (6th percentile) and 27" (16th percentile). 

Likes:  feeding herself (no more purees!), looking at books, taking baths

Dislikes:  unfamiliar faces, lying still for diaper/clothing changes

  

8 months

Life has gotten in the way and I'm finally just now posting 8 month pictures (as Lydia is now 9.5 months).  Somehow I don't think she'll blame me when she's older...

This little girl continues to be so fun and interactive.  She truly is such a happy girl.  Not much new happening development-wise for her; she loves to stand and play at her Leap Frog table, could play peek-a-boo for hours, and is always testing out new sounds by banging two (or more) objects together. 

Likes:  trying new food (all fruits and veggies are favorites), laughing at her brother, sleeping with her plug & lovey, music

Dislikes:  being cold (lotion after bath is the worst!), the nasal aspirator, being tired