Giggles and Fangs

Do you remember how long we waited for those first two teeth to arrive? It was 10 mos before the pickle got her first teeth. Now at 12 mos two more are coming in. Not the typical top front though. No, check this out...



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Fun at Home with Mom

What did we do on our first day home after the holiday vacation?

We conquered the toybox that Great Grandpa Duane made us...

...and did a little sweeping.

Then we made some muffins...

Get it. Show that batter who's boss...

Overall it was a good day. I think we'll do it again tomorrow. :)

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One Year Well-Baby Visit

Katen visited her pediatrician for her One Year Well-Baby Visit today.

She got her finger pricked to check lead levels and received her Hep A shot. We'll go back next month to get her MMR shot. I chose to delay the Hep B and Varicella shots for now. The reason I asked to go back later for the MMR shot is so that it's the only shot given at that time.

The MMR is a combo shot of three vaccines and I feel like that's plenty for her little immune system to fight off on it's own. Based on research I'm feeling okay about doing the MMR combo though, despite concerns raised about links to autism. A very solid study was conducted in September of 2007 by several reputable medical institutions showing no link between the MMR shot and Autism. Regardless, it's still a lot of vaccine at one time and I think Katen's glad that she didn't get 4 shots in one day. I can't imagine feeling the pain of one shot in each leg and then seeing that they're going to do it all over again once more. I know I personally wouldn't be too happy about that. We'll go back, thank you.

Here are the stats for 12 mos:

• Height: 29 inches (2', 5")
• Weight: 21lbs
• Both in the 50th percentile
• Her soft spot is nearly closed and head circumference is in the 75th percentile.
• We've finally been referred to the allergist to nail down the source of Katen's allergies
• Katen has successfully weaned off of the bottle and uses only sippy cups for drinks
• Next we'll work toward using a regular cup and will begin potty training if interest is shown
• Based on our milestone check, Katen is performing at the 18 month level.
  

She's able to do the following--

13 months milestones:
Bends over and picks up an object
Crouches
Enjoys gazing at reflection
Holds out arm/leg to help dress
Combines words and signs to to indicate needs
Rolls a ball

14 months

Eats with fingers

Empties containers
Imitates others
Walks well
Initiates games
Responds to instructionsUses utensils
Matches lids with containers
Pushes and pulls toys while walking

15 months
Walks backward and Runs
Adopts "no" as a favorite word

16 months

Turns the pages of a book
Has temper tantrums if frustrated
Is attached to a soft toy or other object
Enjoys climbing
Can stack three or more blocks
Is able to take off at least one piece of clothing
Becomes a pickier eater
Takes one nap per day

17 months
Uses six or more words regularly
Dances to music
Kicks ball

18 months
“Reads” books on his own
Strings two words together

--The things she doesn't do yet within those milestone guidelines are in the advanced category and not required to have met the month's milestone:
Points to one body part when asked (we're close – she can tell you what certain animals say though)
Scribbles with a crayon – she'd rather eat them or bang them on the paper
Sorts toys by color, shape, or size

We're pretty excited to see what she learns next.

Now that I'm staying home with Katen every day instead of working, I have more of a chance to take charge of her learning and also to experience her discoveries right along with her. I'm pretty excited about that. I know she's going to miss her toddler friends though.

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Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl!

It's hard to believe that our little Pickle rushed her way into the world a year ago today. I can't say she's become any more patient to this day. Ha! New Year's Eve will be the anniversary of her arrival home from the NICU. She was so delicate and helpless back then, and now she's practically an independent woman. One year old going on 21. :)



Katen was born the day before a very large snowstorm in 2007 and on her birthday in 2008 there was no storm (it occurred the week before) but the temperature was -2 degrees with a windchill of "too cold for a polar bear." We put some extra leg warmers on over her tights for the ride to her party location and she was looking pretty spiffy.



Here are some pictures from the party...



Birthday Breakfast - waffles and a birthday hat

"This bag is bigger than I am!"

Tissue paper is FUN!

Clapping YAY!

So much for smashing into the cake. Our little girl eats like a lady.

(I was kind of hoping for some fun pictures with cake all over her face.)





Zzzzzz.... 5 minutes after leaving the parking lot.

Happy Birthday sweet girl. :)

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California Baby

We took our annual trip to SanDiego last week. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa R. for your hospitality! Here are some pictures from the trip...

Our little pickle eating a ...pickle. Seriously, she'll eat anything. Even lemons.

Also, this little vineyard's cafe had the best lunch food I've ever eaten. Yum!

Hey Mom, is it a bird or is it a flower? You don't see too many of these back home. :)

Sitting in the carry-on luggage sizer during a layover. Instant playpen! I had no idea, but Katen totally knows her way around a straw.


Eating lunch with Mom, Dad, Dave, and Kortni at Panera. (Panera had wireless internet so we ate there often so Daddy could keep up with important things... like Fantasy Football.)

Katen loving her Great Grandpa R. after knocking herself over backward still attached to her highchair that was buckled to the restaurant chair. The kid is clearly indestructible.

Hanging out with Grandpa R. at Great Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Hot air balloon at the SanDiego Zoo.

Lion watching...

Hello Rhino! (It's hard to pose in a Moby wrap.)

Checking out the "Foo Dogs" at Great Grandma and Grandpa's place.

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