Baby Loves Tissue Paper

Dear Little Princess,

I underestimated how much you fell in love with wrapping at Christmas. As I discovered today, you now LOVE to rip tissue paper.  At dinner tonight, I secured you in your high chair, put your bib on, and then when to the refrigerator to get your dinner (a jar of sweet potatoes). Notice that my back was turned for maybe 5 seconds there. When I returned to your high chair, in those 5 seconds, you had torn your bib off and were eagerly yanking it between your hands. I realized after awhile that the plastic on the back of the bib makes a similar sound to the ripping of tissue paper, and that you were throwing your arms apart while holding onto the bib like you were trying to rip it. Fortunately, I had some tissue paper handy and gave it to you (watching like a hawk of course to make sure none of it got close to your mouth). You happily yanked and tore and RIPPED that paper!  I'm proud of you for your coordination, though I'm also slightly worried that maybe this means you have frustrations you are taking out on that paper!  I took some of the tissue and made confetti, which greatly amused you to watch the little confetti pieces fall.

This isn't the first time you have shown some impressive coordination. About a week or two ago you successfully turned off (and on) the waterfall soother on your crib. I had asked you maybe a month ago, "How do you turn it off?" and you grasped at the button, not quite able to hit it (though I'm still impressed that you apparently understood and answered the question!). I had thought, though, that maybe it was a fluke that you had grasped at the button after I asked you how to turn it off. Well, ever since then you became determined to turn it off yourself. The first time you did push that button yourself, you beamed and turned to me with a full grin, completely satisfied that you could do it yourself.  After mastering turning on and off the waterfall soother, you are now trying to turn on and off other things too, like the swing! Daddy says you are his little engineer. Grandpa calls you Cyber Baby because of all the Skype video calling we do as a family. As for me?  I secretly think of you as my little genius. Yes, a genius for ripping paper and pushing buttons. :-)  Moms are so proud of the smallest things!

Love,

Mom 

Baby's First Christmas!

Dear Princess,

It was a pleasure having you with us this Christmas!  We took you to the family parties in your Santa suit and you were a HUGE hit. Everyone wanted to hold and look at you.  You got tons of toys and clothes (all of which Mom is very grateful for!).  Your new favorite toys are the stuffed animals that sing and a toy that has pop-up smile faces. Mom's favorite new toy is the playpen. I can finally put you down and let you play freely with your toys! You aren't quite crawling or sitting up all by yourself, but you are on the cusp... you can sit with a little support for long periods (or by yourself for about 5 seconds before flopping onto your belly). You can't crawl but you can scoot a bit from side to side reaching for toys.

You almost unwrapped a present while we were at Michelle's house on Christmas Eve. I poked a hole in the wrapping paper and you slowly pulled at it, fascinated with the colorful paper (but not really noticing the toy inside). Next Christmas, when you can really shred the paper to get those toys, will be even more fun!

Love,

Mom

Baby's First No!

Dear Little Princess,

Last Sunday (6 days ago), you were in jumparoo happily bouncing and banging the toys. I came over and asked if you would like a snack. You looked at me and retorted, "No!"  Your dad and I both jumped, shocked, because that's not something you had ever said before. Then we laughed, and I picked you up and carried you over to dad, at which point you started fussing and reaching for me like you really were hungry. So I don't think you knew what you said when you said no. You're probably just imitating some kid from daycare. Still, it was really funny!

In the past day or so, you've started babbling dada. Again..it's really cute, but I don't think you know what you are saying yet!

Love,

Mom

Baby's 1st Thanksgiving

Dear Princess,

We had your first Thanksgiving!  Your Great-Grandma S wanted to meet you, so she came to town with your Great-Aunt and Great-Uncle. With Grandma S and Aunt B also in attendance, it was quite a celebration! 

One special moment was when we took a 4 generations photo -- Great Grandma, Grandma, Mom, and you!

For Thanksgiving, you had your first real baby food (besides rice cereal), organic sweet peas out of the jar.  At your first taste, Grandma S heard you say, "Mmmm."  However, I must have started you on carrots and sweet potatoes too quickly afterwards because now you spit out those nasty peas. That or your daddy has been talking to you about vegetables. :-)

Love,

Mom