Wow! A year ago, I could have never imagined what life would be like right now. On the day of my baby girl turning 11 months old, I am excited and sad all at once. I love the little lady she has become - full of spunk, charm, wit, energy, personality, love, fun and surprises. And even with party planning in full swing, I cannot believe I have only one more month before she turns one. Gray does something everyday to make me think she is less like a baby and more and more like a little girl. So, for this next month, I am going to enjoy and appreciate the last days of her first year of life, while also looking forward to the many more to come!
Recent "Grayisms":
-Walking everywhere! She has been on the move for over a month and a half now and will no longer crawl anywhere. It is so funny to see this petite gal stand herself up, walk/run to and fro, make turns on a dime (we maybe more like a quarter) and squat to play with things on the ground.
-Gray is like a little parrot! She says Mama, Dada, kiki (kitty, kitty), duh (Dog), duh doh (uh oh), day doo (thank you), deh doo (bless you) and sssss (cheese). Gray grins really big and says Dada when I point to a picture of Kevin and ask her who it is, but when I point to a picture of myself, not so much. On top of the "words," she says ashoo (achoo) when anyone sneezes, including herself, she barks at/with the dogs, she whines like Mia (and knows the dogs by name, looking at each of them when I ask her about them) and she will moo like a cow when we talk about animal sounds.
-She likes to use sign language. Gray uses the signs for milk, more, eat, water, diaper, all done, book and dog. It is really nice that Gray can communicate what she wants/needs, even if she sometimes just asks for water to blow bubbles in it!
-Along with Gray's signs, she waves when someone says hi or bye and she puts her hand to her mouth to blow kisses when we say kiss. She even will give little kisses by putting her lips briefly to your cheek or forehead. Gray also points up when asked where the light is.
-Gray is really beginning to understand what we say to her, except for when we say no! ;) Yesterday, I asked Gray to bring me a book and she stood up, walked into her room, played with the books in her bookshelf for a few minutes and then brought one to me. We were both shocked and completely impressed that she knew what we were asking of her. Although, I tried it again today and it did not work, so it could have just been coincidence, but I don't think so!
-Gray is getting her 1-year molars… She is having a really difficult time with this and is often cranky, clingy and restless as a result. Infant Tylenol and Hyland's teething gel have been life savers. Today when checking, I felt that the first molar (her bottom left) has broken through the gum, so hopefully there is an end in sight for my poor girl!
-Gray has used her little potty several times for both pee and poop. We are not potty training necessarily, just trying to catch it whenever we can, so she will become more aware and hopefully potty train quickly when the time comes. I am hoping to have her completely potty trained before she turns 2… We'll see!
-Gray is still nursing 4 times a day and she eats finger food meals 3 times a day, with a few snacks here and there. Once Gray turns one, I plan to gradually ween her from breast milk, but I do not feel the need to rush this, since it is so good for her.
Gray's favorites:
Foods - cheese, pears, blueberries, bananas & she loves to share with the pups
Colors - yellow and orange (she gravitates toward yellow and orange toys)
Word - Dada (she says this when I try to get her to say Mama, little stinker!)
Toys - Blocks & Mia
Books - Pajama Time, Moo, Baa, La La La, My Big Book of Animals & Click, Clack, 1 2 3
Songs - Old McDonald & Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Activities - playing in her cabinet, watching/playing with her friends, sliding down the slide, waving and smiling to anyone/everyone & reading books
A mouthful of her favorite food, cheese!
Playing in the bathroom, while Mommy was cleaning it!
Hanging out with Abby while she visited last week!
Pushing Mia in the grocery cart at Mama & Papa Britt's!
Park playdate with Sage, Henry and Trenton who is 2 and was off playing!
