Eliza is very close to walking on her own. She has taken some steps unassisted, but usually prefers to hold on to someone or something, or just crawl.
Eliza is a very good communicator. The signs she uses are: bye, eat, more, milk, sleep, change (as in diaper change), and all done. She also can point at what she wants. Her spoken vocabulary (that she actually uses) includes "bye bye," "baby," "ba" (ball), and "di" (dog). I am always impressed at how she understands what we say, even when we're not using the signs she knows.
Eliza is a little climber. She likes to climb over, under, on, and in everything. I was looking through a box of baby clothes this morning when Eliza came over to help (she loves taking things out), but after a minute she was in the box. While all the other kids were playing with toys on the floor after storytime at the library, Eliza chose to play with her toy in the empty toy bin. The other day she was standing on her bike to try to get on the piano. She has no fear since she has not yet had to experience gravity the hard way.
Eliza loves peek-a-boo. It is the only way I can keep her semi-still during a diaper change. She initiates peek-a-boo whenever there is a possible face covering of hiding spot near. She likes to get in the pantry and shut the door. As soon as I wonder aloud where she is (knowing exactly where she is), she pops out with a smile.
Eliza loves her baby doll. It is often the first thing she goes for once she's out of bed. She gives her a hug and then gives her to one of us to hug, then wants her back, then gives her away. This goes on for until someone (inevitably the grown-up) gets tired of it. She most often shows affection by gnawing on Baby's head.
Since Eliza's hair is quite mullet-like, I usually put her in pigtails when we go out. They're never smooth or even, but she always gets so many compliments on her little piggies. Thankfully she doesn't object to getting her hair done. The ouchless rubberbands really are pain-free!
At the beginning of the last month, Eliza started having some real trouble sleeping. Up to that point, she would wake up about 3 times a night and I would nurse her back to sleep (it was the easiest solution). Well, at the beginning of last month, she still wouldn't go back to sleep after getting her mommy milk. It may have something to do with the lack of milk I've had due to the pregnancy. For a few nights in a row, Mike would end up laying on the floor of her room while she destroyed the place (she loves taking all her dirty clothes our of the basket). Eventually she would just zonk out. This is how we found her one morning.
We decided that we needed to do something. I need to get some sleep now, because come August sleep will be rare. After talking to some friends, I finally decided to let her "cry it out." She's been sleeping through the night ever since. I still keep the baby monitor on and I still go in and peek at her on every middle-of-the-night potty trip, but that's just the way I am. It is so nice to have her sleep through the night.
I still nurse Eliza about 4 times a day, when she wakes up, goes to bed, and before each of her 2 naps. While lots of moms tell me that their children lost interest in nursing around a year, Eliza shows no signs of wanting to wean. (I will write a separate post about this sometime.)
As a birthday present, Eliza got 2 new molars (the bottom ones) just a bit before her big day. She had been gnawing on her hand for over a month now, so it's nice that they are finally in.
Here are some other random pictures from the month:
Eliza has fun with her Mickey ears from Whitney and Jacob. Now they're just the right size!
Eliza looking in a fun-house-style mirror.
Going to get the mail with Daddy!
Five band-aids = five vaccines at her 12 month appointment. :(
When I looked away, Eliza helped herself to the cake bowl I left on the table. She knows a good thing when she sees it.
9 comments:
She takes such cute pictures :) I'm happy the ears finally fit her...they look great! We love you guys!
What a cutie!!!!! She and Allie would be such good friends, I'm sure of it! I think the only developmental difference might be Eliza's masterful language skills. Allie can say "hi", but everything else just sounds Russian.
You're cake was gorgeous! I do believe you've shown me up.
You're such a good mom!
She's such a cutie! and quite the active girl. So fun to chase them around. They just get more fun the bigger they get. :)
That cake face is classic! I can almost hear her saying "Uh oh! Caught!"
one year old already?
she is absolutely darling. get tired of me saying that? it's because every time you post a picture of her, that's the first thing that pops into my head. BEAUTIFUL.
ellie had a mullet for months..... ha ha ha.
Pigtails are just so sweet on Eliza. I love how she kisses her babydoll... watch out for when baby comes! :) Glad to hear the crying-it-out worked. A full night of sleep is priceless!
Oh, and am so glad the crying it out worked and that she is sleeping through the night!
I remember that we finally had to let Jill cry it out. It was so hard, but they catch on quickly!! She is a doll!
Wow! I can't believe she's already a year old! Wait...so "come August sleep will be rare"...you are pregnant? Did I miss the announcement somewhere?
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