About 2 months after Madeline was born, I saw a Martha Stewart episode where someone had documented their child's first year of growth by dressing them in a 12-month-sized onesie and taking their picture each month as they grew into it. I thought it was brilliant -- but we were already a couple of months into our journey so it was not to be for us. This is my version of Madeline's first year (click on it and it will open in a new page as a larger image)...
Other noteable notes:
- Communicates with us using her own version of baby sign language (definitely not ASL). Right now she signs for more, drink, eat, all done, bath and please. She's also started using some gestures consistently but we have no idea what they mean... A baby doing the tomahawk chop? Anyone know what that means?
- Says "mama" and "dada" but usually only when she wants us to get her out of her crib or pack'n'play. Attempts "hi kitty" and "ball" with varied success. Is starting to vocalize animal sounds -- moo and meow (aka mao) and quack (aka cack) -- especially when she hears the animal make the sound. Pickles replies in kind if anyone mews at her, so the exchanges between the two of them can be quite entertaining.
- Is always on the go! Loves to play a toddler's version of hide and seek. Loves to crawl/climb up on things and then sit on them: cardboard boxes, plastic bins, the fireplace hearth, her mini-couch, etc. Pushes boxes, laundry baskets, a footstool, and her push-toy around the house. Opens drawers and empties them. Any bookshelf within her reach is cleared off at least once a day.
- Appears to be getting at least one, maybe two, top teeth to join her bottom two teeth. When a baby tries to chew on your coffee table, you know something's up.
- Current favorite items: two "keys" from a teether key ring, her mini-couch, a small plastic duck, "Where is Baby's Belly Button?" book... (The keys and the couch have co-starring roles in this video clip)....
Madeline's 12-month well-child check measured her at 20lbs 15oz (50th percentile) and 30.5 in tall (90th percentile). No wonder her 12-month pants are too short and the 18-month ones fall down!
