As one of my high school friends, who recently had a son, wrote on Facebook, "Anyone know how to make time stand still and hurry by, all at the same time?" That seems to be the perfect summary of the first year of parenthood for me. This year has had its challenges that, at times, seemed neverending. However, it has also been the year when I tried to live in each moment. There were so many times when I willed the clock to slow down so that I could soak the experience into my long term memory. I am so grateful for the experience of parenthood and all of the conflicting emotions that come with it!
Updates from the last month:
- The weekend before her first birthday, Alma took her first steps. The joy on her face as she walked between Joshua and me was great. She is so comfortable standing by herself now and seems like she will be zooming around soon enough.
- Often times, the loudest noise coming from the room where Alma is playing is her new doll's head bashing into things. Alma loves dragging her around and throwing her on top of the coffee table so that she can gently make her eyes blink. Concussion much, baby doll?
- Alma has figured out how to get the rings on the stacking stick. Now she's been working to figure out how to get the wooden blocks into the shape sorter. Watching her figure out how these toys (and the world in general) work is amazing and inspiring. I wish I had that much tenacity!
- For a few days, all Alma seemed to say was "duc-a, duc-a". It sounded like Dr Evil from Austin Powers. Joshua and I spent a lot of time doing the Macarana.
- Hanging out in the children's section of the library is the best way to spend the afternoon with Alma. They have great toys, games, activities and books. Alma gets so focused on certain toys that I can sit, zone out and read magazines. It is a nice break for both of us.
- She has started blowing kisses, which seems to be both her way of showing affection and saying thank you. Since we do the sign for thank you when she gives us things, she will now often give us something and then blow us a kiss. So cute!
- Peekaboo has never been a big thing with Alma (she looks confused) until this month when she has started loving it too much. She does a little crouch to hide behind the coffee table that is beyond cute.
- Alma is teaching us that everything can be worn as a hat. Hats, blankets, shirts, stuffed animals, food, anything.
- In the last few months, Alma has become more schmoopie. The more she sucks her thumb, the more she wants to hug with her head on my shoulder. Each embrace is such a gift.
- Love watching Alma look through her books. Usually they are upside down. She talks to each image.
- At the beginning of the month, Alma was imitating what we say in a much more immediate fashion. It was neat to hear her echo version. Towards the end of the month, she stopped doing this as often.
- Alma still loves the cat and dog with fierce affection. For example, one day when Alma was upset and crying, Shanti walked by. Alma started petting her and calmed down. It will be great to see these relationships continue to grow.
- We have been calling Alma "pumpkin" since we was a wee babe. But now "Bruised Banana" might be a more accurate nickname based on all of the bruises on her head. Not only is she a little accident-proned, but she also bruises very easily. Poor kiddo!
- She can now go up and down the stairs by herself. We hang out with her when she does, just in case. Luckily, our stairs are very wide, deep and carpeted so they are conducive to mastering them.
- We just finished another round of swimming classes. Alma's love of the water is absolute and a joy.
- Alma has a set bedtime schedule which seems to work well for all of us:
- Last dinner (since there are sometimes more than one dinner): 6:30 pm
- Last family play time: 7:00pm
- Bath: 7:15pm
- Bed: 7:30pm
- Wake up: 5am but usually go back to sleep until 6:30 or so
- Molars are on their way -- they poked through on her birthday -- but, like the others that have come, they seem to come and go a few times before they are fully in her mouth. These molars have created a laughable amount of drool.
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