One-year check-up

Amelia's check-up yesterday went fine. Of course, I realized as we were entering the doctor's office that I forgot to give her some Tylenol to help with her shots. I asked two different people for some and none came, so I didn't push it. I figured I'll just run by the house on the way to work, which I did. But she didn't need it - she wasn't feverish or cranky all day. She only cried when they were pushing the liquids into her. She is such a trouper!

She had three shots - including one for chicken pox. Now that made me feel old! An illness I well remember having and something I thought was just a rite of passage in everyone's childhood now has a vaccine. So there won't be any period of keeping Amelia indoors while her friends play outside in the sunshine while I repeatedly say, "No, Amelia, do not scratch yourself! I know they itch, but you can't scratch - you'll wind up with scars." Good for her!

She weighed in at almost 18 lbs., and measured at just over 29-1/2 inches. Her height and head, once in the 25th percentile is now in the 75th percentile. Her weight, however, is still 3%, but it at least hasn't dropped with all the crawling, standing, assisted walking, and playing she's been doing.

[picture dated 9/21/06]

Happy 1st Birthday Amelia!

(and the real party isn't even until tomorrow!)

[pictures dated 9/22/06]

What a Difference a Year Makes

A year ago right now I, along with my husband and mother, was being escorted up to Labor & Delivery where it would be discovered that I had not yet dilated. Thanks to "walking" (no one in their right mind could actually say this woman in active labor was actually walking), in less than two hours my beautiful daughter would be born.

A year ago tonight I sat in the glider in our living room trying to watch My Cousin Vinny while keeping track of my contractions which were erratic but increasing in length and pain. Tonight there is a pink bunny sitting in the glider, an early birthday gift for Amelia from Nana. And there are toys scattered throughout the living room.

A year ago tonight no one slept here at the house until the wee hours of tomorrow morning. Tonight, right now, a beautiful little girl is sleeping in her room while her birthday cake (in the shape of a heart) bakes in the oven.

Happy almost-Birthday Amelia! We love you so much.

Thanks, Grandma!

MMMMM, these are the BEST cookies EVER!


[photos dated 9/19/06]

Tallulah

Tallulah has been a great sport about being displaced this past year. Here she is waiting for her turn on Daddy because Amelia was being unusually stubborn about going to sleep Friday night and Daddy decided to try to soothe her. It worked a bit better than he intended!

[picture dated 9/15/06]

Dishwasher Duty

Tonight Amelia helped Daddy unload the dishwasher for the first time. Let's hope that trend continues well into her teen years!!!

[photo dated 9/14/06]

Lesson in Spoon Dropping

Like all babies, Amelia loves to drop things. Here she is demonstrating her fine technique!!

And she weighed in at 17 lbs., 13 oz. at the dr. Monday which is up 8 ounces from two weeks ago. It's good to know that, despite being on the go so much now that she's mobile, she is still gaining steadily. Yay!

[picture dated 9/10/2006]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

Amelia went to her first amusement park this weekend. It was hard to tell who had more fun - her or her daddy!

[pictured dated 9/10/06]

Kissy-Kissy

Amelia has discovered that she can see her reflection in the dishwasher and she likes what she sees!! (I'm going to be busy washing those wet, slobbery kiss marks away.)

I love her pants. They are a soft corduroy and are just like ones her Aunt Amy had when she was a baby/toddler.



[pictures dated 9/8/06]

Standing!!

Amelia is starting to let go of whatever she is holding onto and standing on her own for several long seconds at a time! (Seems like minutes to me, but I'm sure it's just ten seconds, if that.) She looks like such a big girl when she does it.

She has stood on her own for about two or three seconds for a few times over the past few weeks, but she didn't realize she was doing it. Now, she does. She'll let go, look over at us and smile and then nonchalantly touch the table, ottoman, etc. to regain her balance. She sometimes plops on her butt, but then will "look busy" as if she was tired of standing and meant to sit!

I took several shots of her by the ottoman and then she crawled over to me and stood up!! What a big girl! My baby is growing up too fast!!

(And Amelia wishes Grandma & Grandpa a Happy Anniversary today!)

[picture dated 9/5/06]

Another Milestone!

Saturday we went to Staples and I decided that it was time to see how Amelia did sitting in the buggy (shopping cart) by herself rather than being perched atop it in her carseat. Part of this decision was to allow her to have a break from her carseat as she is capable now of so much independent movement. She fit in the seat of the buggy much better than I had expected! Perhaps this is foreshadowing of me being an overprotective mom because she may have been ready for this milestone sooner. Oh well.

And she did great! (Of course!) She loved being able to look around and she loved even more the ability to hold things that we were going to purchase. Unfortunately she loves our car keys even more (boy, can she grab those quickly!!) and has learned to do the Insta-Screaming Fit when we take them away to use them for something useful like starting the car. Daddy suggested putting random key chains together for her to think she has her own set. Good idea - now I just have to find time to look for those random freebie key chains that are tucked away in various dark corners of the house somewhere.

[picture dated 4/11/06]