Christmas conversations

Adelaide's spoken language is finally catching up with her extensive receptive vocabulary, and she is so excited about it! In a matter of literally two weeks, she has figured out sentence construction, and she loves to show it off. These days she narrates constantly in choppy word strings: "What grandma doing? ... Ada do. it." "Ada go OMSI ... stamp hand ... two stamps!" "Dad hide ... Ada find. you" always full of animation. Yesterday when I came home she said, "Mama, Ada. missed. you. today." What a breakthrough!

It's so much fun to watch her delight in easily articulating the things that she's previously had to work so hard to convey to us. And how perfect that's she's figured out her language skills at Christmastime, when there are so many new things to do and see. This will definitely be a Christmas to talk about for a long time!

Advent Elf

We started a new family tradition: an advent elf. This very charming elfin friend has a pocket for each day of Advent, with little daily treats stashed inside. Adelaide has loved meeting the elf (she talks to him everyday!) and although it's been a challenge to learn that we only get to explore one pocket per day, he's been a really fun introduction to the Christmas season.

Adelaide has only recently learned about "new-new" things and the excitement of getting presents. While I have all of these great ideas about teaching her the "true" Christmas message (vs promoting materialism), the truth is, it's really fun to see her little face light up as she stomps her feet in anticipation of a surprise toy or treat. I am realizing that it may be more challenging than I ever considered for me to restrain from showering her with gifts when it's so fun to see her enjoyment. This will be the first (and probably easiest) year that we struggle with this balance. Yet another example of how I have in mind a lesson for her that in so many ways turns out to be a bigger lesson for myself.

Where is everyone?

Now that she is really talking, it has become very evident to me what a challenge my/our crazy schedule poses for Adelaide. She clearly prefers to have everyone home together, or even better, to go out on adventures together. On the flip side, she has a constant level of concern about which of us might leave at any moment. Multiple times every day, especially on weekends, she askes "Mom go?" and shakes her head, "home" ... "Dad home? Go? Ada go?" We review who is staying home and who is "going" and whether they are going to work (us) or to school (her). If anything changes, especially if anyone puts on shoes or changes clothes, we go through it again, "Dad go?" (shaking head), "home"; "Ada?". I've been working lots of night shifts, so her evening time radar is high. If I get up from the dinner table without warning, she says, "Mom work? No. Home." It must be so confusing for her that every day is different, without a pattern. She gets picked up and dropped off by 3 different people, at different times every day, by bike trailer if I take her and otherwise by car, and I can see her little brain trying to so hard to make sense of the pattern, to find regularity in the chaos. Welcome to my life, Adelaide, the only consistency is inconsistency! It won't be too long until she can read a calendar, and then we'll have to get her one of her own so she can keep tabs on who goes where and when. Until then, we'll just keep up the dialogue. Dad home. Ada home. Mom go.

still an eater!

It's been a good food month. This weekend, to celebrate Grandma's birthday, we went to a fancy seafood buffet on the waterfront. Kids eat free, although they are reconsidering that policy after Adelaide put on her show. She bypassed the "kid's table" (jello and french toast sticks - who needs that??) and literally ate her weight in fresh shrimp and Dungeness crab meat. Of course she had a fair sampling of mussels, lox with capers, and the cheese and fruit platter. You just can't be picky when there's so much variety! She charmed all the servers with a huge grin as she patiently ate and ate ... and ate for 2 hours straight! No wonder her belly is so huge! But Ada is learning that you get your food fastest if you peel it yourself. Here she is, looking proud after learning how to peel her first orange. This of course can be a mixed blessing when she climbs up to the counter and peels all of the oranges in sight. Fortunately, she's been willing to share the goods.

we love school!

We went to our first "parent-teacher conferences" this past week. I had no idea that toddlers get conferences, but why not!?! Adelaide is thriving in school, making friends, keeping up with her tasks, learning the patterns of the day. But no surprise to us; she brings her lessons home and applies them to life at our house. Yesterday I gave her a new ("new-new" as Ada would say) puzzle game with multiple puzzle boards and colored shapes to fill them in. She took it off the shelf, set out the pieces and delicately figured out how to set them in the correct places, and when she was done packed it all away, color coding the pieces into their respective sections, and put the box back on the shelf where she got it. Not to say that I never have to clean up after her (far from it!), but I'm amazed that a 19-month old can understand that every project has it's place, and it has to be put away when completed. I take no credit for her precociousness; Montessori is amazing. Turns out that when you teach kids to respect their items, they do!! Who knew?!? (Now how do I teach this lesson to my husband?)

language explosion!

This has been the month of language development. Adelaide's vocabulary has more than quadrupled in the past few weeks. As you'd expect, her favorite topic is food; she names most of her favorite snacks, and frequently asks to go to Costco! We're not sure if she finally decided she was ready to talk, or if she's been inspired by her classmates. (She's fully settled into the school routine now and loves to get going on school mornings.) When we pick her up from school, she introduces us to her new friends. She likes to clarify who gets to "go" along whenever we get ready to leave (and who has to stay home). And cutest of all, she sings along with her favorite songs. All those months of intense listening are finally paying off!

little school girl

Joe's first week of the new school year involved one very demanding little student. Adelaide started at Cedar Montessori school, and it's been a tough transition for her. Although her former nanny is in charge of Adelaide's classroom, there are several other teachers to get acquainted with. The first week was a bit rocky, both at school and at home, but the teachers were really patient with her, and she's adjusting quickly. Montessori is more regulated than most places, but we've incorporated some Montessori practices at home to get her ready. She loves her pink lunch box, and she's made friends with one little boy, so we are confident that week 2 will be much more fun (for all 3 of us!).

end of summer

How appropriate that it is cold and rainy for Labor Day weekend: the summer is over!! If Adelaide understood that "Dad time" was ends today, I'm sure she'd be sad. From weekly trips to the zoo and OMSI, swimming lessons, and building a 48-ft retaining wall, they had an busy summer. We managed to get in quite a few picnics, trips to the coast, hikes, bike trips, and her first train ride. Never as much adventure as her parents would like, but she should have plenty of material for her "what I did this summer" essay! Though we're sad that summer is over, we're ready to settle in to the back-to-school routine.

summer freedom!

After several weeks of being diaper-free at home, we finally took the plunge: All three of us wore "undies" all weekend: up a Gorge hike to a picnic at the overlook, to the zoo, through a 17-mile run, and on a shopping trip. No diapers, and no mess!! We've officially become "those people" pulling out the little pink potty by the side of the road (and even more often on the trail), in parking lots, at the drinking fountain ... you name it. The potty-on-the-go may be questionably sanitary, but it makes all three of us (and our washing machine) happy to have potty-independence!!

June mega-blog

This spring Adelaide and I had the privilege of attending her first music class. A program called Music Together, this collection of toddlers and parents sat on the floor and sang/danced/drummed to the tunes of a huge variety of fun songs. Adelaide really took to it. The songs quickly became her favorites, and she constantly asks for us to sing them by clapping her hands and making the motions of the song. So much fun - we can't wait to go back in the fall, but in the meantime, we'll be practicing!


A few weeks ago we had the privilege of visiting friends in Seattle. Adelaide trooped around to many of the city highlights and had a fabulous trip. Although she wasn't too impressed by Pike Place Market, Olympic Park, or the Solstice Parade (bicyclists wearing only body paint!!), she was thrilled by the two black cats. She chased them around, laughing and meowing, and kissed them whenever she could catch one. Baby/cat kisses are substantially cuter than anything else Seattle has to offer!


Joe's second Father's Day. We went to the Museum of Flight (with every other father between Seattle and Portland). Adelaide had tons of fun running around among gigantic flying machines and chasing origami airplanes.




Adelaide has been learning all about gardening this summer. Starting with berry picking a few weeks ago, she didn't miss a beat - we got to the fields, and she looked around "mmmmmm!" and got right to work - picking (and eating) with both hands. She's also been learning to water the garden and chase chickens!




Oh yeah, and I'm a doctor now.

moving!

We moved into our new (purple!) house on May 1st. All 3 of us are loving it, though we're still getting settled, and working hard on lots of remodeling. Adelaide has made the adjustment remarkably well -- she's sleeping better than ever and seems pretty excited about all the new space to explore.

Moving has opened up opportunities to learn lots of new things. For instance, Adelaide learned about packing - the day after we moved she found an empty laundry basket at her grandma's house. She promptly took it over to the cupboards and loaded up all the pasta and cereal! Back at home, it didn't take her long to learn the new game: carry boxes around and take things out. Though the boxes are bigger than she is, Adelaide thought it was pretty funny to cart the empty ones from room to room. Today, she's been hard at work building a new table. I only wish she was as good with a paintbrush as she is with the screwdriver!!

a little communication goes a long way

Adelaide's vocabulary is growing every day - and for every word that she learns to say, she understands at least 5 more. This has been pretty handy lately, because she is becoming increasingly communicative. We have ever more frequent little "conversations". Her communication goes both ways: she pretty clearly expresses her (usually strong) opinions, and she loves to demonstrate that she understands us by rushing to do what we ask. I say, "Let's brush your teeth," and she runs to the bathroom and reaches up towards the sink. "Are you hungry?" and she nods her head once and raises her hand in her characteristic little yes gesture. When she needs to use the potty, she looks at me expectantly and points at her diaper with a little grunt. If she sees us putting on our shoes or coats, she says "go, go" and stands by the door, hoping to come along. And when she falls down, she comes over to tell me about it, giving a pained expression and rubbing her head.

Perhaps because she's figured out that language has purpose, Adelaide has become a spectacular listener lately, tuning in to things I routinely ignore. She imitates every siren that goes by and notices every bird and airplane. We recently ate at a restaurant where an acoustic saxephone was playing in the background. She searched all over for the source of the music and tried repeatedly to mimic the sound (without much success!).

This is all certainly good timing. We have been busy lately, getting ready to move to our new house. And with this new vocabulary comes her excitement to be "helpful" - she loves to help sweep, "deliver" small objects between us (Adelaide, take this to Dad), put things in boxes, even let me know when something's out of place. I love watching her excitement about learning to participate in our world, and especially her realization that words make life easier. I know this is only the very beginning of the language explosion, but for right now, every word, sound, and gesture is such a treat - she has me laughing along with her all day long.

eggs!

Although we are officially done with "first" holidays, Adelaide slept through Easter last year! Her first egg hunt was an impressive success. Adelaide was excited to see plastic eggs scattered around the room (maybe she was excited to be allowed to play with plastic?) and she proceeded to scurry about, collecting all the eggs and filling up the little basket, needing surprisingly little encouragement. I thought egg-hunting was a learned skill, but little Adelaide knew exactly what to do - perhaps she was blessed with an Easter reflex - or maybe she secretly was paying attention last year?!?

a kid!

Adelaide changes so much that it's hard to notice the stages until you realize they are over. Although she's been quite "mature" (in her serious little way) for a long time, I am realizing that she's officially no longer a baby.

She walks everywhere, carries items around and stashes them in secret places. She talks in a little series of words and imitates animal sounds (though the cat sounds more like a sheep, the dog "arf arf" is really cute). She identifies objects and pictures by name, and she's very clear and expressive about what she likes and doesn't like.

But cutest of all, she loves to laugh!! And to make us laugh! She giggles enthusiastically at absolutely anything (or nothing). My personal favorite: 'social' laughing -- when we laugh, she laughs - even if she's in the other room, or doesn't understand the conversation, she giggles along, for minutes at a time! It's impossible to be in a bad mood around such a happy kid! She truly has turned from a content baby into a joyful kid (must be Joey's genes!). :)

the big ONE

Adelaide's first birthday was this week. Her Aunt Margaret, Uncle Tony, and grandparents threw her a birthday party full of love and monkeys (and giant zoo animals - check out the photos!). She rejected birthday cake (too sweet!), chatted up a storm, and charmed everyone.

This weekend Joe and I thought a lot about what life was like this time last year. Everyone says it goes so fast, but that's only half true. Last year seems like so long ago - back when our apartment was big enough and it didn't matter if we tracked in leaves, my body was distorted and foreign, before the nebulous shape inside me was full of distinct personality, when we had no idea what a challenge it would be to create space in our lives and our relationship for another family member.

Now everything is different, and at times I long for the freedom to be lost, cold and hungry in the mountains, or go for an all-day bike ride, without being tethered to a hungry demanding little being. We adamantly refused to let her 'interfere' with our lives, taking her absolutely everywhere, at least at first.

But slowly things have been changing - I have become infinitely more patient (though I've a long way to go) and less mobile, learned that 'momness' really is biologically programmed, and have succumbed to more stereotypes than I've defied. I've realized for the first time that my parents had a relationship of their own before I intruded on it, and that Adelaide has no idea that her parents matter to each other. I've come to believe in unconditional love at first sight.

This year has been significantly more trying than I ever imagined, but I've repeatedly been shocked at how fun it is. I am constantly amazed how much I love my tiny girl, and how rewarding it is to spend time with her - time flies by, just like falling in love. I am so proud of her little achievements, and her frustrations, and I wouldn't trade her for a world full of freedom or endless powder days. I can't help mourning that this first year is over, but I'm so excited to watch her grow, improvising together as we go.

elimination game

We started sitting on the potty last week. 11 months is either way too early to introduce the potty, or way too late, depending who you ask. But for us, it must have been a reasonably good time, because we've had several "successes" already! Who knew potty time could be so fun?!?!

baby steps

Adelaide took her first real steps alone today. Quite an exciting achievement, and she was obviously quite thrilled with herself. As with other advances she's made, she seemed to have no idea that walking was possible, then suddenly found herself without support and took off with enthusiasm! She ran all around her room, strutting her stuff and laughing, laughing, laughing all the time. For my own sake, I had been grateful that it took her so long to learn (especially when she was pulling up to stand so early ...), but Joey and I were both pretty darn excited tonight for this little step towards independence. Hurray tiny girl! (Now would be an appropriate time to clap, as Adelaide did for herself after her first successful steps!)

little book worm

One thing we know: Adelaide LOVES her books - she reads more books per day than any librarian could dream. Lately, however, she doesn't necessarily have time to look at every page or listen for us to say the words (perhaps she knows them all by heart, as we do?) - instead she pulls them off the shelf, flips quickly though the best pages (rather like using a reference text), and then moves on to the next one. We've cycled through various favorites by now (Little Duck, Rainbow Rob, This Little Duck, Tails), although there are quite a few that make the daily rounds, and only a small collection on her shelf in which she has absolutely no interest. Stop by any given day after breakfast and you'll see her perusing her books, intently studying, occasionally smiling at what she finds, and always, always busy! She'll hand you the one she wants to read, and she'll flip the pages in haste if you're too slow. In her little way, she's thankful to all who have contributed books to her little (and well-used) library. :)

wwwiiiisit??

Adelaide's newest and favorite word, her own variation of "What is it??" has become something of a mantra within our family. In the kitchen, at the store, while we are eating, even while 'helping' with her favorite chore (the dishwasher), Adelaide is constantly pointing and inquiring "wwwiiiisit?". At least so far, she doesn't seem to care too much what the answer is, as long as someone answers her.

first Christmas

Ms. Adelaide had a lovely first Christmas - despite the snow, we made it to my parents' house for all the Christmas traditions - stockings (a new beautiful angel one for Adelaide) - breakfast cinnamon twists shaped like a tree - presents: Adelaide got a set of beautiful wooden toys hand-painted by her Great Uncle Tony - dinner with the fam ... Then we were off to Wisconsin to celebrate with the other side of the family - they made it through some treacherous weather to rescue us from holiday airport extravaganza! And our little Christmas baby had so very much fun playing with all of her aunts, uncles, grandparents in the busy Nelson house. It was a wonderful and blessed first celebration - Adelaide feels very loved and cherished all over the country!!