Leah's 1 year update

"What's Leah doing now?"

This question gets asked of me more often than any other.

I tried to compile another list of milestones and other developments. (Anything in italics are milestones reguarly reached after 1 year of age.)

-Play patty cake
-Play peek a boo
-Says "dada" and "mama" to the right parent, is very specific
-Drinks from a cup. As of last week Leah no longer uses a bottle, only took two weeks to wean her off formula and a bottle. So proud of the little girl. (Go Leah!)
-Stands alone for long periods of time
-Put objects into a container
-Understands and responds to simple instructions (and not to mention likes to give them too)
-Stoops from standing position
-Imitates others' activities (She has that down pat, she is a lil ham and a mimic)
-Jabbers wordlike sounds
-Indicates wants with gestures (All you have to do is be around her when she is hungry. She knows where the kitchen is in EVERY house.)
-Cruises from place to place
-Takes a few steps
-Says a few words besides "mama" and "dada".
-Scribbles with crayon
-Uses two words skillfully (e.g. "hi" and "bye")
-Bends over and picks up an object
-Enjoys gazing at her reflection (If Leah is pissy put her in front of her reflection, it will usually do the trick for a lil while)
-Finger feeds like a pro
-Combines words and gestures to make needs known. (Says milk and gets her sippy cup or motions to the fridge, she also goes to the pantry and takes out her jars and basically forces them at me.)
-Tries to lift heavy things
-Rolls a ball back and forth
-Empties containers of contents
-Initiates games
-Points to one body part when asked (She can point to her eyes, nose and mouth. More her nose and mouth.)
-Pushes and pulls toys while walking
-Plays with ball
-Turns the pages of a book
-Has temper tantrums when frustrated
-Discovers joy of climbing
-Stacks three blocks
-Learns the correct way to use common objects (e.g. the telephone)
-Responds to directions (e.g. "Sit down")
-Dances to music (Family Guy theme song always gets her going)
-Will "read" board books on his own
-Sings out loud
-Can climb up and down the stairs


Her walking skills are basically the only thing she hasn't quite mastered. Everything else she is either on target and surpassed it :D

If you ask Leah how big is she, she puts her arms out for "So big".
If you ask Leah how old she is, she takes out her pointer finger for 1.
If you pay attention she tends to point out lights everywhere she is and says "light."
She will play peekaboo on her own or with you.
She plays with her toes singing the "this lil piggy" game.
She sings herself to sleep.

She is trying to whistle desperately. Something that she isn't even supposed to think about doing till she is a toddler.

She rolls her tongue like you do with r's in spanish.

She understands and completely comprehends me in both spanish and english. I tend to get more of her attention if I speak to her in spanish, especially if I don't want her doing something. She says "Deja!" to me whichs means "Leave that alone."

She can sign milk, and more. I am sure as I keep up with the signing she will learn more of them a lot quicker than I expect.

She hates sleeping in a crib. Depises it, always has. She doesn't care for feeling confined so she tends to fall asleep on the floor. Any floor. No need for blankets or pillows, whereever she lays she sleeps. Silly girl.

She is friendly and affectionate. She gives kisses and hugs and rarely cries. Doesn't get finicky about food, eats everything and knows when she is full. And its takes A LOT for her to get full.

She claps and says "YAY!"

She can drink from a straw.

She has her one year check up next Wednesday. I will update on her weight and height, and of course anything her doctor has to say.

Too smart, too cute, and very much loved no matter what.

Feeding time

Today I was getting Leah's high chair ready so I could put her in it. I had the pantry door open. She crawled over, took out a jar of baby food and crawled back to give it to me. I took it and she crawled back over to the pantry and grabbed another one.

Too cute.

She ate both of them too :D

Starbucks Baby

On one of Leah's recent visits to Starbucks she decided to be our little greeter. Every person who walked in got a huge smile, a big wave and a loud "HI!" Too cute.

She also spent some of her time rearranging the chairs. Pushing them from one side of the store to the other.









Leah at home with Daddy while Mom is at work.




Leah likes to go through everything. From my purse to her diaper bag, to the trash.

Leah asleep

Leah likes to fall asleep in the living room, on the floor, laying on a pillow. And not just any pillow, a bright red crush velvet type pillow. She is a strange child.

Girls Day Out

Today we went shopping at Tanger Outlets with Laurie, Toni-Ann and Julia. We spent the whole day out there. Bought lots of clothes for Leah. LOTS. Some very cute stuff.

Took a few pics of Leah walking around the stores.











I know I had a great time, and I am 100% sure Leah did as well. Definitely going to have to do it again.

Leah's 1st Birthday Party

Party went well. Thanks to Ruth and George, they set it up and it was wonderful.

Most importantly Leah had a great time. She is such a happy and outgoing baby. She is loved by everyone. Very lucky.

As soon as I get some pictures of the party I promise to post them. I hate that my camera is gone because it was sorely missed by me yesterday.

All in all a great day.

UPDATE!

And now this some pictures Ruth took at the party. (Not sure when she had time with everything she as doing but we all know those Supermoms! :P)

Julia's Birthday Party

Today was Julia's birthday party. It was tons of fun. Laurie and Louie were up late and up early. And then up all night. Put a lot of hard work and it all came out beautifully.

Leah went down to play for a bit. She has some cupcakes and lots of food. And she was in the pool with the girls.

Afterwards *as if she hadn't had enough stuff* Matt shared his icey with her.



Leah likes to suck on the bottom but once she figured out the other end has the yummy stuff she pouts until she gets what she wants.

Happy 1st Birthday!

Can you believe it? A whole year has gone by! I can't believe it. She used to be this lil raisin that didn't do much of anything, now look at her. Time flies.

Today we went to the Atlantis Marine Aquarium with Ruth and George. Leah saw lots of fish (of course), some sea lions. She also held a horseshoe crab and a starfish. Coolest thing was when she helped me feed the String Rays and she pet them :D

Afterwards we went to Tanger Outlets for a bit.

Then we got home and Kitti, Guy and Delilah came over. I made dinner, we ate and the girls played in the living room. We got a lil ice cream cake and sang Leah Happy Birthday.

Happy 10th Birthday Julia!

Today is Julia's 10th birthday! Happy birthday! :D