Time certainly is flying! I can't believe we're planning our little one's first birthday! Occasionally we look back at old pictures and remember how far we really have come. Being a parent has its ups and downs, but is most certainly worth it! Here's a glimpse into the little girl that we all love so much!
Personality
-Energetic. Boy oh boy, does she keep us busy (and she's not even moving that much yet)! This girl wakes up for the day and does not stop but for a couple brief naps until she goes to bed. The concept of "chilling" is not something she (nor we, right now) is familiar with.
-Intense. When she's happy, she's over-the-top smiling, laughing, squealing, shaking with joy. She is the classic baby that brings out the child in us all and reminds us every day to cherish the small things in life. When she's upset, she's distraught. Back-arching, screaming, tears streaming down the face, accepting little consolation other than time to let emotions fade. We put up with the bad willingly because the good is oh-so-good!
-Persistent. Extinction methods of sleep-training, provided the baby is old enough, normally work in 1 week's time. We started around 5 months. Six months later, she's just starting to sleep through the night and occasionally still cries herself to sleep. This girl sticks to her guns.
-Sensitive. Though social, Adelaide is easily overwhelmed in a crowd. She will usually try to hide into Mama or Dada's shoulder in a new situation, taking time to become comfortable. She will quickly withdraw from anything new, only to warm up with a little time. On a more physical level, Adelaide would much prefer to play naked and often protests in the morning when it's time to put clothes (especially shirts) on.
-Perceptive. From the moment she was born, people have always remarked how observant she is, taking everything in. This was made especially apparent last week when Greg and I hung some pictures after she had gone to bed one evening. As we came downstairs the next morning and walked Adelaide through the house, room by room, she astutely pointed to every new picture on the wall (and continues to point at the picture of herself in the living room every time she goes by).
-Uncomfortable with change. Adjusting from playing with one toy to the next, getting in and out of the car - any little change in the day is likely to make Adelaide temporarily upset. It's not that she doesn't like what she's doing next, but more that the transition is upsetting to her. Luckily this never lasts long and we now know that every car ride may start with a minute of fussing before the playing commences.
All these traits make Adelaide a "spirited" child. We've discovered that, unless you've had one, normal strategies and advice from other parents often flop. I'm sure our hands will get more full as these personality traits blossom as she ages, but every possible negative aspect is matched by an even more enjoyable aspect, and for that, I wouldn't trade a thing!
Sleeping
The night that Adelaide turned 11 months was her first time sleeping completely through the night without waking up and crying. We've progressively been getting better, but illness has thrown a wrench in the sleep training. As soon as we think that we've finally accomplished sleeping through the night, something comes up (travel, ear infection, stomach flu) that causes her to wake up several times. After getting used to soothing overnight during these nights, she then requires a little retraining to get back on track. We'll get there some day!
Eating
Compared to our adventurous little eater at 6-7 months, Adelaide has become much more picky. She is fed up with getting pureed foods, and would much prefer feeding herself with her hands, even if it means that very little gets in her mouth. She can be very temperamental in her high chair, sometimes refusing to eat one minute and gobbling down food the next. She has recently started on the regulary diet at day care, eating pizza, noodles, sloppy joes, and nutri-grain bars. She is quite proficient at telling us when she's "all done" and pushing away her high chair tray.
Developing
She has just now started walking with a push walker and loves to be on the move. She's still working on her balance, but I have caught her standing on her own a couple times - even though she doesn't know she can! She's gotten good at crawling quickly, but still really likes to be carried places. She's talking quite a bit now and can say (with purpose and correct meaning) Mama, Dada, all done, uh-oh, and clap. She's a very good mimicker and can say gentle and thank you, but not independently without being prompted. Physically, she's still at the 79th percentile for weight at just over 22 pounds last week when she went to the doctor. I feel like she's taller as well, but we'll have to wait for the official yearly check-up for that statistic! She's got 2 bottom teeth and 1 upper tooth with another only days away from poking through!
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