Stats: You are still 50% in height but dropped to 20% in weight. When did my baby beefcake (weighing in at over 9 pounds at birth) become so petite?! You have the tiniest little feet, Aliyah! You’re still comfortably wearing a size 3 shoe as long as they are roomy, and with a pair of socks you can keep a size 4 on too. The women in daddy’s family all have little feet, and it looks like you may too.
Teeth: at last count - 16... I think. Time to break out the ribeye steaks for you kid, you’ve got a mouthful of chompers. We brush your teeth twice a day with infant tooth gel and you have your very own toothbrush that you LOVE. You love to chew on the bristles, hold it yourself and make me run it through the water several times before you finish brushing.
Feeding: You still are a great eater, but you’re starting to show preferences on a plate. Blueberries and blackberries remain your favorite fruit and you eat them like candy. Turkey slices or a peanut butter sandwich is your favorite lunch and you love Chinese and Mexican food. It is so cute to watch you dip your chip in salsa. You’ve started to hate being in your high chair and would rather sit on our laps to eat. We’ve stuck to our guns and made you stay in your chair but you always try the old trick of throwing your hands in the air and sign “Done!” after a bite or two. We now use a booster seat when we go out to eat and you are so proud of yourself sitting in a big-girl-seat.
Vocabulary: Your sign language vocabulary is growing like crazy! You can now sign "almond milk" and have (finally) learned "mama" & "daddy" and we are loving that. Your favorite signs are "milk, cracker, dog, cat, hat, shoe". Your new signs are "bicycle, sleep, hurt, sad, thank you, beautiful, sock". You understand so much now and will act on simple commands like “give me a kiss”, “sit on your bottom” or “pet the dog gently”. You like to reprimand the dogs when they bark too much by shaking your finger and saying “Dat! Dat!” (gee, where’d you learn that?!?)
Awesome stuff you’re doing now:
You’re a champion walker and runner and rarely fall down any more. You’ve even learned to kick and throw a ball! One thing you’re still learning is how to crawl up on the couch. You also really like walking backwards these days. We have to laugh as you walk slowly backwards, bumping into walls when you hit them and then switching directions.
You love walking over to us with a book, backing up and sitting down in our laps to listen to the story. You also love trying to sit in any animal's "lap" and hope they will read to you... it's too cute!
You LOVE clothes and shoes. Whenever you get a new top or dress, you make “Oooohhh!” noises and proudly carry it around and show everyone. You know when you have a new dress on and like to swish around in it and you like looking at yourself in the mirror and cocking your head to the side and smilling sweetly at your reflection. It cracks us up!
You could watch Signing Time videos all day if we let you! They are your absolute favorite, and the only thing you are even interested in watching on T.V. You are always telling us "Baby Signing Time Please". It is so sweet and now that you sometimes throw in a "mama" or "daddy" we usually give in.
You have fallen in love with your baby doll and love to push her in your shopping cart. The other night after we swaddled her up, you gave her the sweetest loves and cuddles... a few minutes later we looked over and you were using your baby for a seat cushion and we had to laugh.
You’re just becoming such a big girl, Aliyah Jacquelyn! You help us put your clothes on and off. You are learning to listen to our requests and how to tell us what you want too! Sometimes I look at you walking around and doing things on your own and I just can hardly believe how much you’ve learned.
It makes me emotional and proud to think of all the ways you’re growing, changing and becoming your own little person.
I love you baby dove!
