word-in-progress

diaper- sounds more like "ah-pah". refers to baby bear's diapers, as well as mommy's "feminine products" that baby bear has pulled out of a drawer or purse.

Potty-tunity

I've had several people tell me they wish they had started potty training earlier. I read somewhere that since the introduction of wicking disposable diapers, the age of potty training has grown progressively later in the US. There's a book that was written by a pediatrician that I have been meaning to read called "Diaper free before 3". It may or may not happen, but I figured if we approach it gently as potty learning, with opportunities but not force, she might warm up to the idea. Of course, then I'll have to figure out the whole pulic restroom dilemna... As much as she tends to toss and turn during diaper changes, we figure it is worth the shot.

Well, as you've read previously, Hannah has been sitting on her potty during story-time, play, etc... She loves her Usborne Baby's Potty book, and she received a bilingual potty training book through Books from Birth, and we found a cute story at the libvrary. She likes watching me use the toilet, and tries to help me flush it. Tonight before bed, I asked her if she wanted to try to go potty. She nodded her head yes. When we got to the bathroom, she started patting the big toilet. So, I took the seat off her little potty, set it on the big toilet, and set her on top. It took her a few seconds to get comfy (as much as possible), but I handed her a rubber ducky and held her nightgown up... she sat there for a couple of minutes. Nothing happened, but the fact that she wanted to try is a big step! Usually she nods her head "no" and we let it go, changing her diaper as usual. We did slip a pair of shortss under her nightgown so she doesn't pull of her diaper during the night. She likes playing with it more and more. It won't be long before she's pulling pants down herself in the middle of the night, but until then, it's worth the precaution.

"T"eeth

Baby bear loves to brush her teeth. She will point to her toothbrush in it's stand and say "t?" no matter the time of day. It's adorable, and I hope this leads to fewer chilhood cavities.

This morning, I wore a t-shirt with the name of my alma-mater on it. Hannah pointed to a "T" and said "T". I do believe this is the first letter she has told me she has recognized.

She's also starting to try to say "please" as she signs the word. GranWendy and Grandaddy came over for a visit on Sunday, and I think they were pleased with her growing vocabulary, even if it's not spoken aloud.

Last, but not least, the single tooth on the top row is no longer alone. the teeth that flank either side are peeking through. we knew they were coming, and they have arrived. tooth count- 5.

More mommy and cooking cookies

A couple of days ago, Hannah was on the floor tugging at my legs. She started doing the sign for "more" in between grasps. "More Mommy!" in her words. Of course, my heart melted and I had to pick her up!

Another time, as I cooked dinner, I asked her to stay back while Mommy is cooking. She immediately made the sign for "cookie". Close enough.

She's our smart cookie!!!

signing time!

hannah's sign language proficiency is increasing. she uses the signs for "more", "please", and "eat" appropriately. she's well on her way to having the sign for "cookie" down, thanks to the batch i made and let her taste earlier this week, and of course she nods "yes" or "no". today, after peeing on the carpet, she lifted her fist like she was trying to do the sign for "potty"... a little late, but hey. nothing oxyclean carpet cleaner can't fix. she also thought we came in too early and began pounding on the front door to go outside. i told her to ask nicely, she stopped crying and signed "please". since she asked so nicely, i put her in the stroller and we went for a walk.

she was given a radio flyer toddler tricycle from a neighbor who outgrew his. it has a handle for the parents to steer from the back. her feet touch the pedals, but she has not figured out how to really use them yet. she doesn't quite reach the ground, but she is content to let mommy or daddy drive. she has figured out how to ring the bell on the handlebar, and it makes her giggle.

hungry Hannah

after Mommy cleaned up the flour she had spilled,
I decided I liked the floor better dirty.

Either that, or I was trying to get mommy to let me run around without pants again.

Mommy would not make me pancakes,
but she did let me munch on a crisp apple!
(She peeled it for me.)

winter retreat

bundled up and ready to go...

why must you torture me so?

why would anyone pay full price for a snowsuit for someone my age?

why is mommy smiling? get me inside!!!!

em's snow tunnel

maddie & hannah agree- playing inside is much more fun!

pj pals

juliana liked this toy

uncle brett and the girls

crazy morning hair (and CUTE smile)

these photos were taken last friday morning.

cousins, everywhere!!!!

On Thursday night, Aunt Becca, Uncle Brett & cousin Juliana came to stay at our house. Mommy and Daddy went out to eat and to the symphony for their Valentine's Date. I was possessive of my Cinderella chair, but don't let that fool you- I was glad to have 'cuz there. Friday morning, it was nice to have a PJ Pal to stare at as I ate breakfast, too.

Papa T. was driving nearby so he stopped and treated us to Mexican for lunch. Gramma T. was very jealous that he got to see me.

Friday afternoon, I had to sit in my carseat for an awfully long time while we drove to see my older cousins in Indianapolis. Mommy sat next to me at least half of the trip, and that helped pacify me. I did not want to sleep.

I love the stairs at my cousins' house. They are so much fun to climb, and there are spindles to hold onto and a landing halfway up so it's not so steep. I love chasing my cousins and the cat everywhere. My cousins and I run in circles through the family room, foyer, dining room and kitchen, and they are trying to teach me how to play "pato, pato, ganza" (duck, duck, goose). Mommy made me wear my red snowsuit and boots again. It's hard to move in that thing. But I tolerated it, sort of. That snow stuff is cold and wet and I don't like it one bit. I was so relieved when Mommy brought me inside and took of those movement-restricting things. I am glad GranWendy found them for me... otherwise I would have been REALLY cold and REALLY wet in that DEEP white stuff. There's almost 20 inches on the ground. Mommy and cousin Em made a tunnel in one of the snow piles, while I played inside with Aunt Cheryl and Mad. A nice neighbor used the snowblower to clear their driveway again today.

Mommy will post pictures when we get home from our winter adventure!

pics and potty time

earlier this week...

"it's okay, baby!"

feeding baby

burping baby

bathing beauty

bath-time fun

and, tonight...

during story-time before bed, i pulled my "baby's potty" book off the shelf...
and carried it to my potty.

while daddy read to me, i stepped in my potty...

and then i put the book on the potty...
while i pooped in my diaper.

word of the day

vacuum (sounds more like baa-oom)
hannah bear has decided the baa-oom is one of her best friends. when we went downstairs for bedtime stories, she saw the vacuum in the utility room and went in to pat and kiss it goodnight. that led to a delay in bedtime. when i asked her if she wanted to help us vacuum, she nodded her head yes. at least the living room, hall and her bedroom are clean!

POTW

there are 3 teeth in here, you just can't see them..

"doin' the baby-bop hop"
(note the big water cup in front of me... i stole it from mommy)

i climbed up here all by myself.
later, i stood up, too, but mommy snatched me down.

checking out the latest publix coupons

tooth count is rising

... Hannah now has 3 teeth broken through, and it looks like a couple more on the way... she should have all her baby teeth by the time she gets to middle school!

jakers!

hannah's 2nd cousin jake was born yesterday, a month early. he is in icu for a few days to monitor his breathing. he's a cutie!

2/4/07, 10:45 a.m.
5lb 15 oz.

you know it's past bedtime...

when your 15 month old marches over to the large circular dog bed/cushion in your friends' living room and lays down. lexi, the friendly black lab, was either upstairs or outside.

i have a new cousin!

mommy's cousin ronnie and her husband mark are in china. they are adopting a daughter, who is named allie! i hate that we'll live so far apart, because we'll be so close in age. mommy and daddy need to take me to long island to visit my relatives there (and to the cape, sapelo, cali... you get the point).

soon, mommy's cousin kevin's wife will have a little boy named jake. that means i'll have someone to play with if we ever visit new mexico, too!

15 month check-up

the doctors and nurses can't believe how big i am now! nurse karen said it feels like she was just carrying me around the office when i was tiny..

weight: 23 lbs.
height: 29 1/2"

i'm around the 50th percentile, whatever that means.

mommy wrapped her arms around me and daddy held my legs down while they gave me shots. (one in each leg at the same time... clever, huh?) that made me angry. i didn't like having my ears, mouth, or heartbeat checked, either. haven't you people ever heard of personal space?

i got to see aunt kelly and cousin catey. catey went to work with her mommy because she didnm't have to go to school today. she had a friend up there, and they seemed quite at home up in the break room.

snow day....

getting ready to go outside

checking out the white stuff...

sharing smiles with daddy

you want me to touch that stuff?
(for the record, the mittens wouldn't stay on)

i was more curious about sunday,
the jack-russell, than she was about me.

mommy says it's a shame that this may be the only time i wear my snowpants and boots.

look what i've been up to...

indoor fun...

wild thing

hip-hop Hannah

a night gown with pants underneath= diaper removal prevention

almost nakey time
(i won the wrestling match with mommy when she tried to dress me)

enjoying the sunshine last week ...trying to figure out this "step" thing

don't worry, mom... i can handle the ball and the pin wheel