14 Months

Evelynn turned 14 months old yesterday. We hung out with a friend and her 5 week old baby last week and Evelynn just seemed so much more like a child than a baby to me. There is so much that she can do and is really fun to be around most of the time.

She's a girl who knows what she wants and she finds all kinds of ways to communicate that to us.  From pointing to grunting to trying to speak to just going and getting it for herself she's communicating even without a vocabulary.  "Bah-Bah" is still her favorite, use for everything, word. Even her Daddy is sometimes "Bah-Bah". But she is getting better. Ask her the cat's name and she will reply "Nnnnnnnnnnnn-nah!"- her version of "Anna".  She calls me "Ma-Ma" but mostly only when she's upset. And when prompted she will call her daddy, "DA!" But even without many true words if you listen to the tones of "Bah-Bah Ba-Boo A-Boo" etc she is picking up on the rhythm and tone of language.  I have a feeling she has a lot to say and when she learns the words we won't be able to keep her quiet!

She's an Action Baby- Running, Jumping, Climbing Trees... Well, maybe not climbing trees. But climbing the couch, ottoman, high chair, rocking chair, stairs and swing set ladders are no problem for her.  We really have to keep a close eye on her to make sure she doesn't fall off those things once she's up.  Her favorite thing to climb is the rocking chair in her room and she is FAST.  The other day I was getting her undressed for her bath when Mike came in her room to hang a new picture. I put the little naked baby on the floor with the instructions not to pee while I helped her daddy.  In the second I turned away to check the placement of the photograph she climbed into the white rocking chair (pictured above).  She loves to make it rock and was having a great time, and since I was close enough to catch her, I let her play for a moment (again with the instruction not to pee on the chair).  Of course that's exactly what she did. That little stinker just peed all over my white chair!

July has been a busy month! We celebrated Canada Day with her first ever black eye.  The cat literally pushed her off the ottoman. She fell into the glider. But, those stem cells must work wonders because it was gone in a couple days.

Evie and Mommy on July 4th

The 4th of July was really fun. Evelynn helped her boyfriend, Shooter, celebrate his first birthday.  He got blocks and we discovered that Evelynn really liked them. She's been in a tower building phase ever since, stacking anything she can find as tall as she can get it.

Building with Shooters Blocks and applauding her tower (it had just crashed).

A few days after the 4th we celebrated my birthday and Evelynn showed us all how to properly enjoy the frosting. Through all of this Mike worked on the kitchen (because of our homebuilder's short cuts and negligence the floors in our 6 year-old home were rotted completely through). It was still a wreck the day after my birthday when Evelynn and I went out of town to attend my step sister's wedding. Mike stayed behind to finish the kitchen.

Evie and the beautiful bride.

Unfortunately the wedding was in the evening and didn't start until Evelynn's normal bedtime. She was a very good girl through the ceremony, with only a few "Bah-Bah"s early on. But by the reception she was a grumpy, tired, cranky-pants.

Still, I managed to tickle a few smiles out of her.

The day after the wedding we returned home to a completed kitchen!!

What an amazing husband I have.  This project was going to be intense, even for the contractors we spoke with.  Mike found so many jaw droppingly AWFUL mistakes and shortcuts in the very small part of the house, we are really scared of what else might be wrong.  He replaced subfloor, drywall, exterior plywood, added support floor joists, flashing (where there was none), taped and mudded cracked drywall where the builder's product failed. He laid new hardwood floors and we painted walls, door and trim. I am SO pleased with the result. Of course, I still hate the oak cabinetry and brass hardware, and I would really like to install a backsplash. But that's next year's project.   This was a terrific treat to come home to.

With the home improvement project completed we've been finding more time to play outside, despite the oppressive heat.

Evie was not a fan of the sprinkler.

But the swing set is always a hit.

And when it's just too hot to play outside, we can always keep cool in the air conditioning.  Evelynn is still in love with her bunny but the pink and brown blankie is really gaining her affections. I leave you this month with a quick video of Evelynn playing with blankie. I thought it was going to be a one time thing, but she repeats the performance pretty regularly, much to our delight.

Evelynn's New Shoes

A week or so ago I was lucky enough to head over to www.mamabargains.com just as they posted an item I'd been waiting for: Squeakers Shoes.  I was so excited and ordered Evie 3 pairs, one to wear to an upcoming wedding, and two more for fall.

A few days went by and I never received a confirmation e-mail or tracking information. So I contacted customer service. I shortly got a reply back from Hannah. She had checked their system several different ways and, although my screen had showed the order processed correctly, it wasn't in their system at all.  She also checked to make sure I hadn't been charged.

I sent a reply thanking her for checking and telling her what exactly I had ordered. And since I was really relying on one of those shoes for Evie's wedding attire I asked if just maybe they had any of the sizes I needed left. I fully expected to get a "no" and that would be the end of it. Hannah did reply and very nicely told me that, unfortunately, they were out of all of the shoes I had requested. Alas. Again, I thought that would be the end of it.

But today I came home and found a package on my door. It was from Mamabargains and I thought, maybe, just maybe, they'd found my order afterall.  They hadn't, but what I found was just as good, if not better since it helps  restore my faith in humanity. :)

Hannah had found a pair of white mary janes, not the exact pair I'd ordered, but close, in Evelynn's size. And she sent them to me along with a handwritten note expressing her hope that these might work for the wedding.  Can you believe that?! How NICE of her! Customer service like that is rare and she really deserves to be commended. I have just been raving about Hannah and Mamabargains all day.   You frequently hear when someone has bad customer service and often, good service goes un-noted. I want to say publicly, THANK YOU, Hannah and Mamabargains for going way above and beyond. With this gesture you have earned my recommendation and, as the video below illustrates, you made my daughter's day.

Lucky 13

Miss Evelynn is 13 months old today!  She weighs in at 23 lbs (73rd percentile) and 30.5 inches (86th percentile). 

This month she really has blossomed as a toddler with all it's joys, heart ache and temper tantrums.  She can run and climb and scale stairs and furniture. Mobility is not much of an issue with this one. She speaks all the time but true words are scarce. "Bah-Bah" means just about everything. However, she has mastered vocal inflection. We hear whole "Bah-Bah-Bah" conversations and know what she is saying is VERY important. If only we spoke "Bah-Bah" too. Alas. Occasionally, when prompted, she does say "Da!" or "Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma" or even "GAH!".  

Her sign language, on the other hand, is consistent and clear. She can sign, Mommy (yay! She finally got it!), Daddy,  More, All Done, Hi, Bye-Bye, High (which is the same as "hi" but done while on the swing), and Wet.   Additionally, on command she can: Clap, Dance, Break it down (a little foot stomping maneuver that cracks me up), Walk backwards, look for and/or bring you objects, give kisses, blow kisses, sit, stand, show you her toes, hair and belly, run to her bedroom door if her diaper is wet, jump, and Ta-Da!

Ta-Da!!

Little Smarty Pants. She is very strong willed and prone to throwing fits when she doesn't get her way or the object of her desire.  Such a difficult place. As a parent you don't want to give into the tantrum or worse, reward that behavior with a treat of food or toys. But, you want to distract her from the "No" and stop the screaming, particularly in public. We're still working the kinks out on that one. I tend to ask her to think about why she is crying, tell her she has nothing to gain by it, and tell her Mommy only understands talking and showing, but not crying.  We'll see how that goes.  

Evelynn now has two loveys.  Bunny goes everywhere with her:

Evie and Bunny at the Tulsa Zoo

Evie and Bunny in her 1 year portraits

Evie feeding Bunny her Tabouli

Evie and Bunny on the swingset

Evie and Bunny on her 13 month birthday

And just in the past couple weeks she has developed quite an affection for her pink and brown blankie.  Here she is with both Bunny and Blankie first thing this morning.

Evie had her first visit to the doctor for other than a routine well check up this month.  She had a diaper rash that just wouldn't quit but after some prescription cream it cleared up in about 3 days and all was well. We are very lucky to have such a healthy baby. 

Her favorite things to do right now are play on her swingset and in her kiddie pool. She gets so excited and jumps up and down when you mention going outside. She brings us shoes all the time to tell us she wants to go out and play. She also LOVES reading her books. She will drag them all out and sit and flip through the pages by herself. She also loves to bring the books to us to read them for her.   She is also very determined to figure out all the shapes in her different shape sorters. She has the round one down pat and the square is almost there. The star is a little more tricky. But she's very diligent about problem solving and trying new ways to fit them in.  She is the same way with her puzzles. She seems to have figured out where the pieces go, but not exactly how to turn them just the right way yet. 

I know according to the books, toddlers still view others as objects but Evie does seem to have some empathy. When I cut my toe and took her with me to get stitches she cried when I cried (don't judge.) When we went to the vet for the cats to get shots and the kitties were VERY bad and hissed and growled at the doctor, Evie seemed upset for them and when they got shots she positively screamed! I suppose she could have just thought those needles were for her. Or she could just be sensitive to the emotions in the room. 

Here are a few more photos from her 1 year portraits by Bishop's Studio.

Lemon Pasta with Shrimp

The hubs and I have been trying new recipes lately. Tired of the same 'ol same 'ol you know. Last night we tried this recipe from Ina Garten. I usually love Ina's recipes but this one seemed a little lacking. I upped the fiber with whole wheat angel hair and added some bite size asparagus with the shrimp to roast. I also omitted the lemon zest because, well, I just don't like the texture of zest. But I think it needs something. Garlic for one. I think if we make this again I will make some substantial changes adding more veggies and removing the butter.  I think it will turn out more like this:

• 2 pounds (17 to 21 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Good olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound whole wheat angel hair pasta
• 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 1 bunch of Asparagus, cut into bite sized pieces
• Cherry tomoatoes
• 1/4 tsp chipotle powder
• Parmesan Cheese for topping
• Finely chopped fresh chives for topping
• 2 lemons, zested and juiced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the shrimp, asparagus, tomatoes and garlic on a sheet pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil, chipotle powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Toss well, spread them in 1 layer, and roast for 6 to 8 minutes, just until shrimp are pink and cooked through and veggies are tender.

Meanwhile, drizzle some olive oil in a large pot of boiling salted water, add the angel hair, and cook al dente, about 3 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking liquid. Quickly toss the angel hair with 1/4 cup olive oil, the lemon zest, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and about 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking liquid. Add an additional 4 tbs of pasta water one at a time if it seems too dry.  Toss with the shrimp and veggies.  Top with Parmesan cheese and chives. Serve hot.

If you try it before I do, please leave a comment and let me know how it turns out. :)

Guacamole

(Photo Not Available)

 A Certain One Year-Old devoured the subject before photos could be achieved

I was never a big guacamole fan until a dear friend of mine made some one night. It was the best I'd ever had. Although I watched her make it, I never remember the recipe exactly. This is what I have come up with to approximate it.

Containing very few spices*, the natural flavors of the veggies really shine. The results are a bright and fresh dip that is perfect on a hot summer day, with an ice cold margarita, naturally!

Ingredients:

3 ripe avocados
1 large tomato, chopped
1 small sweet white onion or purple onion, very finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 hand full fresh cilantro, chopped
Approx 6 tbs lime juice (juice from 3 limes)
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 jalapeno**, very finely chopped (optional)

In a large bowl combine tomato, onion, garlic, cilantro, jalapeno, salt and pepper.  Scoop avocado halves into bowl one at a time and immediately squirt with lime juice to preserve color.  Once all avocados and lime juice are added, mash with a potato masher until desired consistency is reached.  You can enjoy right away or cover and refrigerate overnight to let the flavors marry. But if you make it ahead you'll really want to be heavy handed on the lime juice to prevent it from turning brown.

*If you like your guac. a little smokier add about a tsp of cumin.

**I don't like mine spicy so I don't include the jalapeno at all. You can make it really spicy by including the jalapeno seeds or take them out for a milder version.

12 Month Height/Weight update

I took Evelynn in for her 12 month exam and shots today.  She weighed in at 22 lbs and 7 oz (75%) and 30 inches long (86%).  No big shockers there, that's right about where she has been for several months now.

She was healthy, apart from a little diaper rash. Doc recommended a little Neosporin in addition to the Desitin, Hydrocortizone cream and Butt Paste we've been using. Everything looked very good and he her favorite Bunny even got a little check up too. Bunny's heart sounded good and it showed no signs of ear infection. PS. I LOVE Evelynn's doctor.

She got the MMR shot today along with her second Polio vaccine. I can tell her little legs are sore and I am keeping extra close watch on her for fevers, etc since the MMR is the only vaccine she's received to date that is actual live virus.

She cried with the shots, of course. But then she kept crying and cry that seemed to tell the doctor that he had betrayed her trust. Poor little thing. About half an hour after we left she really rallied though and was a VERY good girl all afternoon, playing with toys, kitties, puppies and making new friends.

We are very fortunate to have such a happy and healthy little girl.

She'll always be a baby to me.

That's it. She's one. It's so bittersweet. On the one hand, I'm amazed at how far she has come and excited to see what the next 12 months will bring and the 12 after that and the 12 after that... On the other, I still want her to be my little baby! I'm sure every other mother in the world has had similar thoughts around this time. It's not unique but it is honest.

Evelynn goes to the doctor on Thursday for her One Year check up and shots. So here is this month's update minus the height/weight stats.

Oh MY but she has made strides intellectually this month! We've known she was taking it all in since the moment she was born with her eyes wide open. But now those little wheels are just turning and turning. She is able to understand almost everything we say and ask of her, but she doesn't always choose to obey. If I ask her if she needs a dry diaper she will answer me by going to her bedroom door.  If she drops an object I can tell her to pick it up and she will go back for it. She follows me when asked. Holds my hand when asked. Lays back on her changing table when asked. She knows the names of objects and will deliver the "Ball" or "book" to us. If we go outside to her swingset I can ask her if she wants to swing or slide and she will run to the one she wants. And that doesn't include the cute little things we've taught her to do, I'll get to those in a minute.

Her signing is going really well. She can sign and understand the meaning of:
Mommy and Daddy- Although she is capable of doing the sign for "Mommy" she gives the sign for "Daddy" and means either one or both of us.
All Done
More
Hello
Bye-Bye
You- Meaning herself. It's not real ASL but she started patting her chest and tummy when we say "You" and it stuck.

She is learning the signs for: Swing, Ball, Wet, Dry, Diaper, Bubbles, and Book

She also gives cuddles and kisses and just Saturday she finally learned to blow kisses. So far it's only been to boys. Are we in for it or what?!  She also waves one or both arms in the air to dance when music comes on.

Okay, cutesy stuff. All parents teach their kids silly cutesy routines right?  I don't know how it began but months ago we started singing Evie the "Naked Baby" song when we got her undressed for bath time. It goes like this, "Naked Baby, Naked Baby, Woo, Woo, Woo! Naked Baby WHO?! Naked Baby YOU!" We all dance to this. Don't Judge. Anyway, now when we say, "Naked Baby WHO?!" Evie replies by patting her chest and tummy. And Mommy and Daddy dissolve into giggles.   Along the same lines, I can ask Evie, "Evie, Who is my sweetheart?" And she'll reply by patting her chest and tummy. I say, "That's Right! You're my sweetheart! Who else is my sweetheart?" And she does the sign for Daddy.

Evelynn loves playing peek a boo. One of her favorite times to play is on her swing set. She climbs the "rock" wall. (Oh yes, she can climb it on her own). Then crawls (she quickly learned she had to duck under the beam) to the slide. She knows she has to go down feet first so she arranges herself and gets all ready to go. When we get in position to catch her she abruptly changes course and crawls to the ladder. Naturally, I run to the ladder to keep her from falling off. When I get there she giggles and crawls into the fort to the "rock" wall. I then have to run all the way around the set to make sure she doesn't fall off that end. This is immensely funny to her. She likes to peek between the slats and around the corners to catch you. This also works peering around corners and through windows.

One of her favorite things this month is shoes. When she's barefoot she'll find a shoe and try to put it on.  Another treasure is Bunny. It is quickly becoming her take-everywhere-lovey.  She never goes to sleep without it and gives it way more hugs and kisses than the rest of her stuffies.

 Her other bed time quirk has to do with satin edged blankies. There's not one that she favors more than another. It just has to be a blanket with satin edges. As she falling asleep she'll pull the corner up from around her toes and then rub the palm of her hand back and forth along the satin edge until she falls asleep.

Her taste in food hasn't changed much lately. She still loves bananas and other sweet fruits. She recently tried watermelon and liked it well enough. Cheese and fish are still favorites too. I cut up a fresh pineapple for her birthday party and that has been a big hit as well. She's down to only a bedtime bottle and it's half organic whole milk with DHA and half formula. I started trying to give her a little milk in the morning too with limited success.  She can drink out of a sippy cup sized straw now, but hasn't gotten the hang of take out cups yet. This is probably because she gets such little opportunity to practice, as we rarely eat out anymore.

Evelynn did very well at her first birthday party. It was mostly family and familiar faces but there were a few people she hadn't seen in a very long time (on her scale). It took her a little bit to get used to everyone but once she did she played nicely. She really wasn't interested in opening her presents but enjoyed playing with them once I opened them for her.

I was expecting a big cake smashing but instead she very delicate pulled all the frosting off and left the cake intact and untouched until her Grammy took a fork to it. Then she still left the cake alone and continued with frosting until she reached sugar coma stage.

Her actual birthday was spent having her portrait taken at Bishop's, running errands, playing outside, and inside and going to swimming lessons.  Here are a few pictures I took today. Be looking for the amazing shots from Bishop's in about two weeks. They always do a fantastic job and I can't wait to see what they came up with.

Happy Birthday to my silly, sweet, smart and incredible daughter. No matter how old you get, you'll always be that tiny little baby I met one year ago today.