Mama wants to eat and can’t, I can eat and won’t

Lately I’ve not been eating much. Maybe it’s because it’s hot, or maybe it’s because I’m just that age now, but it’s been slightly worrisome to Mama. This very morning I told her I didn’t want to eat my breakfast of strawberries, avocados and toast, I just wanted my bitamince. Mama sighed.

Then I got a time out for eating the cat food. I can’t tell you how many time outs I’ve gotten in the last few weeks for eating the cat food, mainly because I can’t count higher than sebenteen yet, but it’s a lot.

While Daddy was taking a shower and we were waiting for SM to come get me for another fun day in the sun and at the library, Mama asked if I was hungry and I said yes. So she offered me a choice of oatmeal crackers and honey wheat grahams hoping at least she’d get me to put some fiber in my belly (and keep me from the cat food bowl). First I had half an oatmeal cracker and then I decided I wanted a graham cracker instead. I like to do a dance when I eat them, so take a look.

That last cracker that I got? As soon as I had it in my hand I put it on the floor next to the cat food bowl and said I didn’t want it any more. Mama sighed.

Couldn’t resist.

Yes, there is a snow video coming, but this I just couldn’t resist sharing.

Spinning

I’m really into spinning around now. I’ve been doing it for a while, but now I boopty along for a bit and then stop to try out the spin in my new location. I prefer the wood floor because there’s much less drag and it allows me to do my Ice Castles impression most easily. When I really get going I spin with my right arm outstretched, chin tucked to shoulder, left arm in the air like a bull fighter and periodically move my head with the most dramatic swooshes. I am both Wonder Woman and Dorothy Hamill in one.

I have finally mastered sitting up on my own, but I refuse to do it anywhere but in my bed (preferably with no one watching me). I’m also pretty much frozen in the walking realm. Yesterday and today Mama and I have been having a battle of wills to see who is going to help me stand; I’m winning.

I’ve been waking up at 5:25 for the last four mornings. Mama says it’s really getting old, but I think she just needs to go to bed earlier than 9:30. Soon I’ll have her going to bed at 8 when I do and then everything will be fine.

In other news, I have a small (but growing) vocabulary:

1. mo = more (I do this with and without sign language, and I often will yell it)
2. pahpahpah = pat pat pat (usually in reference to the kitties or when I’m touching Mama ‘gentle’)
3. baah = ball
4. aye = eye
5. no = nose
6. keehee = kitty
7. weeeuuhhh = sirens (we get a lot of them outside of our house and Mama always says they’re going to help someone—exactly how many people do they need to help is what I want to know)

Oh, and in major news to all the kitties in the house, I have learned how to pet without yanking out hanks of hair. I’d like to throw some love to my boy, Teller, falettinme be mice elf until I figured it out.

My turn! I’m 10-months-old today!

So I’m another month older, which equates to my wearing clothing that is usually sized for an 18-month-old. Mama is having the most difficulty finding clothing that doesn’t bind my thighs and that also allows for my cloth diaper wearing. Most days I look like I have a badonkadonk.

Anyway, I’ve noticed that my arms are growing, and in the last few weeks my favorite activity is to lock my fingers together and force my head through the ring my arms make. It’s getting easier all the time, which just fascinates me.

Let’s talk about hair. I have more now than I had a month ago, which may not look like much to you, but is enough for me to stroke while I’m having my bottles. Some days I pull on it really hard until Mama makes me stop. So then I pull really hard on hers instead. I love hair.

I’m still not crawling, walking or even attempting to pull myself up on anything, but I am making movements like I’m interested. For now I roll quickly around the floor or sit on my heiney and spin in circles until I get where I want to go. My range of potential destruction is expanding daily and Daddy finally clued into this the other day. Mama has been aware all along what fresh new hell we’re going to be getting into soon.

Speaking of which, they child proofed the kitchen cabinets before the July 4th party. The very next day (!!) was the first time I tried to open them. I keep trying every day, and remain ridiculously frustrated that I cannot get to those treasures. Dodged that bullet Mama and Daddy, but you won’t escape my infiltration of no-nos scot free!

Mama thinks I’m beginning to put some of the signs she uses with me together with some of my own. This morning I sat knocking my fists together until she realized what I was doing and said “More?” (I swear these people are imbeciles). Then I pointed at the small pieces of raisin toast until she gave me one. I also have been smiling at her when she makes the sign for milk to me and then I point to my bottle. [Mama's note: her 'point' is actually an outstretched fist in the general direction of something else]

So far I seem to reserve my waves for women of the grandmotherly ilk. Last weekend I did my second wave to our next door neighbor. 

Mama has been trying to capture some photos of my snaggle tooth so that people can see me properly. So far, each of these photos has been blurry because I can’t sit still. She says it’s jarring sometimes how much I’m beginning to look like a little girl instead of a baby.

Some Mamas say, “My child is physically advanced”. Some Mamas say, “My child is mentally gifted”. Some Mamas also say, “My child is musically talented”. My Mama says, “My child is talented with anything that has to do with food.” Three weeks ago I picked a piece of thread off the floor—with fine motor skills this fine, it’s no wonder that I can pick up raisins. I’ve also been able to easily swallow foods that gag other children for the last 2.5 months or so. There hasn’t been a food that I’ve been exposed to yet that I didn’t like and want more. Really, at this point, anything that’s on Mama and Daddy’s plate is exactly what I want to be eating. In fact, I often eat my whole dinner and then beg food off their plates, too.

I think the only thing I like as much as I like food right now is music. I like to listen to music, play music, clap to music…I especially like when Mama and Daddy sing along with something. I freeze and look at them until the song is over. Then I demand that they do it again.

I’ve recently become increasingly anxious about Mama leaving. Even sitting in Daddy’s lap, I often will cry loudly when she leaves the room. Then, when she comes back I’m often torn between punishing her with loud (fake) crying and begging her to pick me up and hold me close. I love my Mama and I don’t want her to go too far away, even though I’m getting to be such a big girl.

9 months old

You missed it—I turned 9-months-old on Sunday. Thankfully, our friends Nate, Kristen and Stellan gave me a ton of new toys to play with on Friday and then Mama and Daddy turned around and bought me another big toy at Ikea on Saturday. I’d say that was a great birthday.

Yesterday I went to the dr for my check-up. I’m now officially too big for my carseat, so Mama and Daddy have to cough up some dough for a new ride for me. At 22lbs, 3oz and 29.75″ long, I’m staying on track in the 95%. My feet, however, have remained tiny. That doesn’t stop me from using the jumping jack like a madwoman though!

Mama hasn’t been very good about capturing all my latest developments and quirks, but she wanted you to know that I still like to flap my arms like a little birdy and vibrate when I’m excited. I am now thoroughly excited by shopping carts, cardboard, Mama’s coffee, new toys, the kitties, Stella’s plush ball, the sound of fire trucks going by outside (like in this photo), and anything Mama is trying to eat—even if I’ve already eaten. 

Drumroll, please

I like weekends because I get to spend a lot more time with Daddy than usual. This morning he and Mama sat on the floor with me in the living room and Daddy got me really wound up. He got me so wound up I had to lean forward and bite Mama’s hand. Mama always gets the brunt of my excitement, and she’s convinced I’m going to break either her nose or her ear before the year is out.

But I digress, because the important thing is that Mama felt something in that bite that wasn’t there yesterday. She scrabbled to try to show it to Daddy, who couldn’t understand what all the hub-bub was about (frankly, neither could I). He never did see it because I kept pushing her fingers away. But the next thing you know she’s squeezing me and telling me how good I am.

My lower right front tooth has poked two scalloped edges up above ground. This apparently is a big deal to Mama.

After I took some nitenites with Daddy (I like weekends), we all got ready and went out to a plant store. It was very cold there, but I got to see fish for the first time. I looked at them the same way I look at everything—with a healthy mixture of fear and fascination, followed by my well practiced mask of boredom. Mama got some things and then we came home. It was a long wake period for me so I got some nitenites on the way home, followed by more nitenites when we arrived there.

When I got up I spent some more time with Daddy while Mama got some things for my dinner. In honor of my new tooth, Mama made my first meat meal: chicken with sweet potatoes and apples. 

I think because the sweet potato was included I didn’t even notice the chicken was there. Or maybe that was because I’ve taken to repeatedly slamming the back of my head into the back of the highchair. Daddy kept telling me to stop, but I just couldn’t. 

I like weekends.

Ode to SM

Yesterday I spent all day at Stella’s while Mama did that four letter word I don’t like to talk about. 

I just want to give a shout out to SM, who had a day like Mama has been having with me this week, wherein I didn’t want to be put down or left alone. To get my grumpy self to sleep, SM resorted to something Mama hasn’t had to do in approximately three months: she sat and held me until I fell asleep for a half hour stint. Not once, but several times throughout the day. I’m not sure if this was so she could get some relief from me or so I could get some relief from me; either way, that’s what she did. 

I mostly don’t sleep well in places that aren’t my room, especially in the light of day, so I’d like to thank her for getting me in some small way. Maybe when you get old I’ll come visit you in the old folks’ home. Or, you can embarrass me before prom. Either one.

What I think of the teddy riding outfit:

The Fincess welcomes you!

Daddy said this might be a better way for everyone to see what I’m up to because sometimes email strips photos out. This way I can be sure that you may see My Royal Highness in all my glory. Mama says that you might see some small changes as she works out what she doesn’t like about the look of the blog, but mostly it will stay the same.

Anyway, in the last few weeks Grand and Grandma and Grandpa have talked to me a couple of times via video conference on iChat. I can see Grand but for some reason I can’t see Grandma and Grandpa any more (Daddy says he knows why this is and that he will fix it). When I’m not too tired I like to talk, but mostly I like to look at that girl on the computer. It’s like I’m on tv. I like tv. 

I took a hiatus from trying to roll over for the last few days, mostly because I’ve been focusing on my growling. To the routine, I’ve added arching my back and gritting my gums while I tuck my chin into my neck as tight as I can. I can tell I’m very scary now because Daddy always gets a worried look on his face when I do it. Mama just laughs and growls back at me.

Today I got some shots. I don’t like getting shots. I get some every month because Mama doesn’t want me to have to get a bunch at one time every other month. She says it’s better for me this way, only I don’t know how that could be. I don’t really cry when I get my shots, I just look shocked and make the rooster lip until Mama picks me up and tells me it’s ok. Then I smile at the nurse. She says when I get bigger I can have some stickers. Whatever those are.

Anyway, some of the shots don’t really do anything, but the last time I got the ones I got today I was cranky for about two days. I hope this time it won’t be so bad.

Yesterday, when Mama came into my room after my nap, she found me with blood all over my fingers. She took me to get a wash cloth and then realized that I had blood all over my mouth and down the front of my clothes, too. She kept asking me what I did but I just smiled and said HEEE. While we were standing in the bathroom, something caught her eye in the mirror; that was when she realized that my entire left ear was heavily encrusted with blood. 

Apparently I have found my ears. I like to scratch them until they bleed. 

New things I’m working on this week…

I forgot to mention that this week I’m really working on my growling. I used to be afraid when Mama made my toy lions roar, but now I’m doing it all by myself. I like the noise so much that I sometimes do it while I’m falling asleep. And then I whisper sssssphuuuhhhssssss to Teddy because I don’t want him to be scared.

Written February 24, 2009