Roth News

Audrey this week:
“Your toddler is fascinated by how things work and is getting better at grasping and manipulating things. Give her an open sippy cup and watch how she tries to screw the lid on, then off again. Opening and closing cabinet doors will also bring endless enjoyment (be sure to put safety latches on the ones that aren’t safe to explore). Some things won’t come easy at first and her smiles of pride will alternate with tears of frustration. If you encourage her with lots of hugs and kisses, she’ll develop the confidence to try new things. ”

http://www.babycenter.com/0_your-14-month-olds-physical-development-practice-makes-perfe_5171.bc?articleId=5171&showAll=true

Today (13th), Audrey has been walking more. She was walking from one couch to the other, which is probably around 10 steps for her! 

Audrey this week:
“Spirited and mild-mannered toddlers alike will experiment with … how shall we say it? … undesirable behavior. If your toddler indulges in fits of screaming, hitting, and biting, you can take some solace in knowing that his development is right on track. Discipline can be a challenge with kids this age, so try to build a little personal time into your schedule each week as a way to refuel your patience tank. ”

http://www.babycenter.com/0_your-13-month-olds-behavior-a-stranger-among-you_1213384.bc?articleId=1213384&showAll=true

 The other day I was teaching Audrey how to sign “book”, she gets it half right. She either folds her hands in prayer or holds her palms up. Tonight (12th) we tried to get her to sign ice cream, again, half right. She would stick her tongue out, but I couldn’t get her to put her fist by her mouth. However, she is doing very well w/pointing at her body parts. She has a book where you flip up clothing items & see eyes or whatever. So she does know fingers,toes,ears,nose,knee,belly button,teeth, & tongue. She sometimes gets eyes & elbow, so we’re working on it! She will point to other people’s eyes if you ask her, so I don’t know why it’s confussing to point to her own. I have recently (maybe a week now) been doing a bedtime prayer w/her. So, now when I take her to bed (even for naptime) as soon as we walk into the room she folds her hands. So we say our prayers. She smiles while I say them too I had started it just for bedtime, but she quickly caught on & wants to do it any time she is to go to bed. She also understands when we tell her to fold her hands to pray for meal times or at church. She has also started saying “up” when she wants to be picked up. Tonight I got her in pigtails, it was super cute!!! We also noticed that she seems to pick out her necklaces to match her outfit. She doesn’t just grab whatever is on top, she pulls them out & picks out which ones she wants to wear. We have a fashionista on our hands!

Audrey this week:
“Whether your toddler’s constantly repeating her favorite words or not yet getting out anything you can understand, she’s eager to communicate with you. Aside from words, she’ll express her desires through sounds, babbling, mimicking, and body gestures (notice how the rhythm of her hand gestures matches her attempts to speak). You may even want to try teaching her a few signs, so she can experience the thrill of getting her point across. ”

http://www.babycenter.com/0_your-13-month-olds-language-and-cognitive-development-can-we_1213382.bc?articleId=1213382&showAll=true

Audrey enjoyed watching the fireworks this year! We watched them w/Jen & Jeff Rowdon. We would point & “ooo”, so Audrey started to do the same.
But first, we went to the Taste of MN where a bunch of groups called, The Original Idols, played. Well, Barry Williams (Greg Brady) was among the idols performing. The others included: The Bay City Rollers feat.Ian Mitchell, The Cowsills, Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods.
Anyway, not only did I get to see Greg Brady live in concert, I got to meet him afterwards! I shook his hand, took a pic w/him & he signed my cd!!! There’s so much more I would have liked to say to him & I wish I could have brought more stuff to sign! I had the Return of Johnny Bravo cd w/me, so he said to me, “Well, if you have this cd, you must have recognized those songs up there”. I was like, “Oh yes, I know all the songs, I have all the shows on dvd”. I also asked to shake his hand & if he would take a picture w/me. He was so nice, he thanked me a few times too. I think I said I was so happy to meet him & I’m pretty sure I told him my first name. I can’t remember exactly what we said, I was so gitty & star-struck! I should have asked if he would kiss my cheek! (after I got the autograph, of course!) I had wanted to bring Audrey to meet him, but I was way up front by the stage for the last song & then they were signing autographs right there, so I didn’t want to get out of line to run get her since it was after 9pm & we still had to go meet Jen & Jeff for fireworks. Boy am I glad we decided to stay here this year & that I happened to go to the website to look up something else when I saw that Greg Brady was going to be here!!!

http://www.tasteofmn.org/08music.html

 This morning (mon,30th) I definately saw some white tooth poking through Audrey’s gums! Finally!!!!!!! The wait is almost over!!!�
Yesterday (1st July), we were in the backyard by her slide when she decided on her own that she wanted to stand up & walk to it. Today(2nd) she has been standing up, taking a few steps & then she’ll stop & remain standing to steady herself before taking a couple more steps. I don’t even have to be the one asking her to try to walk to me any more! Also tonight, she figured out how to drink out of her straw cup.

Audrey this week:
“At this point you’re still your toddler’s favorite playmate. But as he gets better at expressing himself through words and gestures, he’ll enjoy being around other children. If you take him on playdates or to the park, you may notice that he plays near other children but not really with them. Experts call this “parallel play,” and it’s perfectly normal for a 13-month-old who still thinks the world revolves around him. ”

http://www.babycenter.com/0_your-13-month-olds-social-and-emotional-development-me-first_1213380.bc?articleId=1213380&showAll=true

Today, thurs, 26 June, Audrey took her first real steps. We were practicing & she made the effort, not just falling at me! So far it’s been about 4-5 steps at a time, but she is VERY excited about it. I’m sure she’ll be running tomorrow! Well, at least by monday!!!

In other news… I nursed Audrey for the last time on sat, the 21st. Sun was easy to skip b/c our schedule gets off anyway. On mon, I gave her her lunch, changed her diaper, & instead of nursing, I just put her right to bed. She looked at me a little confussed, but went to sleep just fine. I am glad this wasn’t a struggle. I’m a little sad about not having to do this any more, but I am also really happy to not have to do this any more!

On wed(25th), Susie taught Audrey what a giraffe “says” (sticking your tongue out like you’re eatting leaves) 2 or 3 days earlier, Kevin had taught Audrey what an elephant says (putting your lips together & blow/spitting? I don’t know how to explain it really)
Before that, I had gotten Audrey to show w/her finger that she is one.

I don’t think I mentioned this before, but her top 2 teeth are SLOWLY (and I do mean slow!) working on coming in. It has caused Audrey to become crabby often for the last going on 2 weeks now. If there is something that will make them come in faster, I’d really like to know about it!

(FYI: the pics shown are from our trip up to Breezy Point)

Yesterday (the 22nd) we went to Como Zoo w/Kevin’s cousin, Brent, his wife, Kim, & their 2 kids, Natalie(3yrs) & Erika(16mo). Audrey had lots of fun w/them. Kevin & I took Audrey on her first carousel ride! Before we started moving, she was really excited. Then it started moving & she wasn’t so sure any more. She looked a little scared, but didn’t cry. We let her pick out a stuffed carousel horse (she picked the pink one of course!) I think she’ll go again. She had always been interested in it. She also started saying “hat” recently & she knows what it is when she says it.

Audrey this week:
“Whether your toddler’s been walking for months or is still happy just cruising, one thing’s for sure: She’s not about to slow down. With great delight, she’ll soon learn that walking frees her hands to unroll reams of toilet paper, knock glasses off coffee tables, and empty your bedside drawers. What to do? Spend lots of time at the park, and notch up your childproofing efforts so your toddler has plenty of space to explore without getting hurt. ”

http://www.babycenter.com/0_your-13-month-olds-physical-development-new-freedom-to-explo_5170.bc?articleId=5170&showAll=true

Today(15th), Adella came over for a little bit, so we went for a walk & then to the park. The girls had a good time. Audrey continued to drink well from her sippy cup today, so on mon I might try my luck at skipping her last nursing (before nap) we’ll see how well that one goes over!
On wed(18) Audrey & I went to Breezy Point w/Lisa & stayed until fri(20). Audrey enjoyed playing on the beach w/her G-pa Roth. She also got to try “swimming” in the pool! (pic are shown in 6-26 blog)

Audrey this week:
“As your child’s second year begins, take some time to think about your relationship with your partner. Caring for an infant can wreak havoc on couples. You may find yourselves bickering a lot or just not connecting the way you used to. Don’t despair — it takes time to adjust to having another person around. Now that your baby-turned-toddler is becoming less dependent, make a point of getting away to do adult things, just the two of you. ”

http://www.babycenter.com/0_your-12-month-olds-development-week-4_1500258.bc?scid=mbtw_post12m_3w:39&pe=eqjqfq

Weaning has been going well. I am down to one feeding, just before her nap. She gets her bottle of whole milk before bed, & the rest of the day I try to get her to drink out of her cup. Yesterday(wed the 11th), she finally started drinking really well out of her sippy cup. I had gotten her a different one to try that has a top that would feel similar to her bottles.  

Audrey this week:
“Look who’s talking now! Your 1-year-old is working hard on being able to tell you what’s going on in his busy brain. Try these strategies to help his vocabulary grow: When you change his diaper or dress him, talk about the parts of his body. Look at picture books together and ask him to point to or name familiar objects. Teach him about textures by letting him touch an apple (”smooth”), avocado (”bumpy”), or kiwifruit (”fuzzy”). ”

http://www.babycenter.com/0_your-12-month-olds-development-week-3_1500256.bc

Over Memorial Day weekend(23-26 may), Audrey was practicing standing on her own ALOT! Yesterday(29th) she accidently took 2 steps. Really, she was standing a little ways away from me & she took 2 steps while sort of falling towards me at the same time. She has been busy learning to self feed (what a mess!) And I am trying to get her to enjoy drinking out of her sippy cup better as I wean her her. Right now, she still likes her bottle at night, so to skip a crying battle, I will try again next week w/the cup at night!

Audrey has been enjoying playing w/the beaded necklaces I had gotten from Laura’s bachlorette party (may 10) So, on tues(June 3rd), I found a bunch of my beaded necklaces & brought them upstairs for Audrey to play with. She loves wearing them! I think her philosophy is, no outfit is complete w/out at least 3 necklaces!

Audrey this week:
“If your child gets upset when you leave her now, she’s right on schedule. Twelve to 18 months is prime time for separation anxiety — a psychological term that means your toddler can’t bear to be without you. The best way to handle painful farewells is to keep them short and sweet: Say goodbye with a quick kiss and head out the door. Your toddler’s tears will subside soon after you’re out of sight. It’s hard not to feel guilty, but in the long run you’ll help your child become more independent. ”

http://www.babycenter.com/0_your-12-month-olds-development-week-2_1500254.bc?scid=mbtw_post12m_1w:29&pe=eqjqfq