Life with the Londons: March 2012

Is this really Delaney’s last month of being a BABY??

In some ways, she is still very much a baby:

- She only has 4 teeth (2 on top, 2 on bottom) so can’t chew anything much harder than overcooked pasta.

- She is still up for only 3-3.5 hours at a time. She takes 2 naps a day, averaging 1 hour each, and sleeps for 12-13 hours a night.

- She is crawling like a champ, using her walker toys, cruising around the furniture, but showing no signs or desire to walk on her own.

- Her stranger anxiety has lessened, but she definitely shows a very strong preference for Brice, Poppie (Howard), Baba (June), Ilma, and especially me.

- She’s sucking her thumb more now than ever. I think this might be because of teething as well. She’s also wanting to snuggle a lot more while sucking her thumb. No complaints here!

- She is still nursing. If you had told me 1 year, 8 months or even 3 months ago that I would still be breastfeeding at this point, I would have said that you are crazy! Due to her resistance to the bottle, I feel that I haven’t had much choice, and now that we are just 1 month away from her 1^st birthday, I might as well get there!

But in more ways, she’s already on her way to being a toddler:

- She cries if she doesn’t get her way. Fortunately we practice the old “Distract or Replace” trick and she will stop crying.

- She is learning what we teach her. One morning I asked her, “Where is Mommy’s belly button?” I lifted my shirt to show her my belly button and she giggled with delight as she put her little finger inside my belly button. We did this about 10 times. The next day I asked her “Where is Mommy’s belly button?” and she went right to my shirt to lift it up and see my belly button. Watching her learn is one of the most amazing experience as a parent and we feel a greater sense of responsibility than ever before! She is learning all the time and seems to be understanding everything.

- She is learning and understanding words. At first she would see a dog, either on a walk, in a book or as a stuffed animal and would say “Woof woof.” Now we can just ask her what does a dog say? And she will respond, “Woof woof.”

- Out of 4 milk feeds a day, we are getting close to dropping 2 or more and replacing with more solid food or snacks, served with milk in her sippy cup. She seems ready to give up the bottle and breast, but her milk intake without those feeds would be insufficient.

- She is a gourmet. No plain, steamed veggies for this girl. She prefers her vegetables to be roasted with olive oil and seasonings! No banana or applesauce for Delaney. Exotic fruits only, please! Her favorite foods are: Cheerios, papaya, veggie burgers, cheese, scrambles, roasted vegetables.

- She is throwing tantrums. Along with the many incredible qualities that she inherited from Brice, sbe is exhibiting early signs of “The London Temper.” I’m surprised that she is throwing fits so early, but apparently many babies start at around 10 months. We are doing our best to not give in to her fits so that we do not reinforce the bad behavior. I’m starting to look into Parenting books so that we can build a good foundation and start off right.

- She loves to PLAY! At the park or at home, at a friend’s house or in the car, she loves her toys, her books, songs and toys, etc. She does not/will not sit idly. She always needs to be on the go or doing something. She is a busy little girl!

- She loves to go out. Whether we take her out for breakfast (so long as it is short), go to the park, go to a friend's house or go on a hike, she loves being out and about. As the weather gets warmer, she starts walking, and she isn't feeding for so long, we will be able to go out and do more and more. We look forward to trips to the beach, zoo, museums, gardens, etc. this summer. We are thinking about starting her in a Mommy and Me swim class so that she starts getting comfortable in the water.

- She is getting ready for her 1^st birthday party! Eeekk!!!

Brice's aunties, Wendy, Ellen, Michele and Jeanne, have known him since he was born, watched him grow up, and were integral parts of his childhood. Their children will always be some of Brice's closest friends. The aunties have started to become grandmothers now, and what better opportunity to throw a auntie/baby playdate and lunch. It was so much fun! How lucky we are to have all of these people in our life!
The babies! Hudson (5 months), Owen (4 months), Delaney (11 months)