Thursday, February 28, 2008
Multi-purposing
Just about every room in out house offers an opportunity for therapy. One of Anna’s favorites is the guest room. We have a very high bed in that room so we place an ottoman on one side of it. She climbs up onto the bed and then crawls and walks around on the bed. It’s hard to stand on the bed so it’s great balancing practice. And it’s also a great place for her to fall since it’s soft and she turns it into a game. She just gets back up, takes a step or two and falls back down, giggling the whole time. She also likes to ‘crash’ into the pillows and blankets. She’ll sit down and then fall back onto a pillow a blanket pile repeatedly, cracking up as she goes. We finally got some of this action on video the other day complete with a good save by me – it’s a lot of fun but not baby proofed; not something Anna can do without a very watchful eye.
Following Directions
Anna is getting very good about following directions. We have a lot of routines that have made life, for the most part, very smooth. We’ve been adding to them as her cognition increases.
One of my favorites is taking off her mittens. I take the right one (the ‘bad’ hand) off and then she has to take the left one off. She does it very well and quickly and then hands it to me. In fact, if I walk away before she’s had a chance to give it to me, she’ll wait until I come back to give it to me rather than casting it aside. It’s funny though because when we’re at my mom’s she always hands it to her.
Another favorite is when it’s time to put on Anna’s coat. Generally we put it on in the hallway so I ask Anna to sit on the bottom step. She has grown so accustomed to it that if I mention putting her coat on anywhere else in the house, she heads right for the step. And if she doesn’t see her coat, she’ll walk over to the closet and wait for me to get it out for her. She’s such a social butterfly – any mention of heading out the door and she’s thrilled!
Here’s another good one: At night we always read a book before bedtime. We sit in the rocking chair together and Anna helps me turn the pages. When the book is over, I say ‘all done’. A couple of weeks ago we started say ‘bye, bye’ to the book and Anna would wave. Now it’s evolved into Anna bringing the book to her mouth and kissing it – her father is very jealous!
My absolute favorite to date: Last night after I put Anna in her crib and covered her up with blankets, she took her pacifier out of her mouth and blew me a kiss as if to say, ‘ok, stop talking, I’m tired!’ It’s so hard not to laugh and pick her up for one last squeeze.
One of my favorites is taking off her mittens. I take the right one (the ‘bad’ hand) off and then she has to take the left one off. She does it very well and quickly and then hands it to me. In fact, if I walk away before she’s had a chance to give it to me, she’ll wait until I come back to give it to me rather than casting it aside. It’s funny though because when we’re at my mom’s she always hands it to her.
Another favorite is when it’s time to put on Anna’s coat. Generally we put it on in the hallway so I ask Anna to sit on the bottom step. She has grown so accustomed to it that if I mention putting her coat on anywhere else in the house, she heads right for the step. And if she doesn’t see her coat, she’ll walk over to the closet and wait for me to get it out for her. She’s such a social butterfly – any mention of heading out the door and she’s thrilled!
Here’s another good one: At night we always read a book before bedtime. We sit in the rocking chair together and Anna helps me turn the pages. When the book is over, I say ‘all done’. A couple of weeks ago we started say ‘bye, bye’ to the book and Anna would wave. Now it’s evolved into Anna bringing the book to her mouth and kissing it – her father is very jealous!
My absolute favorite to date: Last night after I put Anna in her crib and covered her up with blankets, she took her pacifier out of her mouth and blew me a kiss as if to say, ‘ok, stop talking, I’m tired!’ It’s so hard not to laugh and pick her up for one last squeeze.
Play Doh
I made Play Doh a couple of weeks ago and tried to introduce it to Anna again now that she’s a bit older than the last time. She kept trying to put it in her mouth. I’m not sure why – she doesn’t tend to put much in mouth other than food and I can’t imagine it tastes all that wonderful. But she kept trying so I took it away.
The next time I gave it to her, she didn’t put the Play Doh in her mouth but kept touching it and then starting to put her fingers in her mouth. It’s as if she knew it annoyed me so she kept faking me out! Frustrating.
I gave some to mom and asked her to try every so often since it’s a good activity for her hands. She tried yesterday and said that Anna was good about it for about ten minutes. She broke it apart and put it in a bowl for her. A good start.
Last night I took some out to reinforce the fun she had with Grandma, and she did a good job. In fact, when I started to take it away, she started to get upset. She sat in her high chair with the tray on and I sat opposite her. She, for most part, broke it apart and handed it to me or put it aside on the tray. I tried to show her how to smoosh it and play with it more aggressively. She thought it was hysterical – got a lot of belly laughs out of it. But she didn’t copy too many of my actions. She did, however, enjoy poking it with one of her plastic spoons.
I guess it’s like anything else, keep introducing it and eventually they get it!
The next time I gave it to her, she didn’t put the Play Doh in her mouth but kept touching it and then starting to put her fingers in her mouth. It’s as if she knew it annoyed me so she kept faking me out! Frustrating.
I gave some to mom and asked her to try every so often since it’s a good activity for her hands. She tried yesterday and said that Anna was good about it for about ten minutes. She broke it apart and put it in a bowl for her. A good start.
Last night I took some out to reinforce the fun she had with Grandma, and she did a good job. In fact, when I started to take it away, she started to get upset. She sat in her high chair with the tray on and I sat opposite her. She, for most part, broke it apart and handed it to me or put it aside on the tray. I tried to show her how to smoosh it and play with it more aggressively. She thought it was hysterical – got a lot of belly laughs out of it. But she didn’t copy too many of my actions. She did, however, enjoy poking it with one of her plastic spoons.
I guess it’s like anything else, keep introducing it and eventually they get it!
Blowing Kisses
For the longest time we wanted Anna to blow kisses when we said goodbye to someone. She would usually just wave or smile. Then one day she did it, weakly, but she did it nonetheless.
Now over the last couple of weeks, she blows kisses every chance she gets! It is so funny. She blows kisses to her stuffed animals, the phone, her toys, people in the Shop Rite. ‘Goodbye’ is no longer equated with a wave but a blown kiss, sometimes many blown kisses.
Sometimes it’s an absented minded one especially if she’s involved with something. But she gets better everyday. The ‘smacking’ noise used to be quiet and at times she would try to bring her hand to her mouth but not quite make it. But with practice it’s turned into a full blown smackeroo and a dramatic flair of her hand! We, of course, can’t get enough of it!
Grandma gets more than a blown kiss. Dave joked long ago that my mother would be the first one to get an actual kiss from Anna. And lo and behold I was picking her up the other day at my parents’ house, and what happens? My mom said, ‘give me a kiss,’ and Anna leaned right over and kissed Grandma on the cheek. Then when prompted, she gave Granddad and Mommy a kiss. She has yet to do it again to anyone but Grandma! Shocker!
Now over the last couple of weeks, she blows kisses every chance she gets! It is so funny. She blows kisses to her stuffed animals, the phone, her toys, people in the Shop Rite. ‘Goodbye’ is no longer equated with a wave but a blown kiss, sometimes many blown kisses.
Sometimes it’s an absented minded one especially if she’s involved with something. But she gets better everyday. The ‘smacking’ noise used to be quiet and at times she would try to bring her hand to her mouth but not quite make it. But with practice it’s turned into a full blown smackeroo and a dramatic flair of her hand! We, of course, can’t get enough of it!
Grandma gets more than a blown kiss. Dave joked long ago that my mother would be the first one to get an actual kiss from Anna. And lo and behold I was picking her up the other day at my parents’ house, and what happens? My mom said, ‘give me a kiss,’ and Anna leaned right over and kissed Grandma on the cheek. Then when prompted, she gave Granddad and Mommy a kiss. She has yet to do it again to anyone but Grandma! Shocker!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The Stairs
Anna loves to play on the stairs. She figured out how to climb them just after she started walking. So we encouraged daily practice since it was the closest she was to crawling at the time (she started crawling about five/six weeks later). It didn't take her long to pick it up and she was making it to the top in record time only a short time after she started. Because it became such a favorite activity, once she got the hang of it, we started blocking off the stairs so she could only crawl up them when we initiated the activity.
We tried to show her how to crawl down the stairs but she doesn't like this activity as much - I guess she's not as confident about going backwards. But when we were at our friends house in January, she watched her friend Julia go down the stairs on her toosh and she quickly imitated her. Somedays she'll actually climb up the stairs just so she can come down them. She's like a little olympian training for the stair event!
We've been teaching her how to walk up the stairs by holding onto the banister, but she's not ready for it. But now that she's had a chance to practice walking up onto her gym mat and then back down she's beginning to make the connection that she can do the same on the stairs. Of course, the gym mat is a lot lower so it's good training.
And just like all of the other obstacles Anna has overcome, she seems to like to work them out on her own. Last night after I witnessed her go up and down on her mat with ease and very little though, I caught her attempting to hang onto the banister and walk up the first couple of stairs (I know, I know, bad mommy for not having the gate up!). I watched her negotiate the maneuver careful not to fall. And although she didn't follow through, she did the next best thing - she crawled up the stair but instead of putting a knee down first, she put a foot down - kind of equivalent to a bear crawl rather than a regular crawl on the floor. So although she was still using all fours, she figured out the next level. I'm sure she'll be walking up the stairs long before my prediction of summer! I better lock the gate!
We tried to show her how to crawl down the stairs but she doesn't like this activity as much - I guess she's not as confident about going backwards. But when we were at our friends house in January, she watched her friend Julia go down the stairs on her toosh and she quickly imitated her. Somedays she'll actually climb up the stairs just so she can come down them. She's like a little olympian training for the stair event!
We've been teaching her how to walk up the stairs by holding onto the banister, but she's not ready for it. But now that she's had a chance to practice walking up onto her gym mat and then back down she's beginning to make the connection that she can do the same on the stairs. Of course, the gym mat is a lot lower so it's good training.
And just like all of the other obstacles Anna has overcome, she seems to like to work them out on her own. Last night after I witnessed her go up and down on her mat with ease and very little though, I caught her attempting to hang onto the banister and walk up the first couple of stairs (I know, I know, bad mommy for not having the gate up!). I watched her negotiate the maneuver careful not to fall. And although she didn't follow through, she did the next best thing - she crawled up the stair but instead of putting a knee down first, she put a foot down - kind of equivalent to a bear crawl rather than a regular crawl on the floor. So although she was still using all fours, she figured out the next level. I'm sure she'll be walking up the stairs long before my prediction of summer! I better lock the gate!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Out!
Everytime we leave a room or the house where a door or a gate is closed, Anna has to knock and then help open the door or gate. She has taken this so literally that whenever we mention the word 'out', she not only attempts to say it and make the sign for it, but she also 'knocks' the air! She is so proud of herself!
Anna's Gym
I rearranged Anna's 'gym' the other day. I've been trying to switch things up to offer different challenges and adventures. Haven't found one yet that she doesn't love and find new ways to use it.
I put her little sun tent in the great room for a couple of days and she crawled in and out of it, played in there for some privacy and also figured out how to walk in by ducking her head - makes her a bit more aware of that big noggin and its limitations! She really liked when I went in there with her. Once I went in and zippered it up so we couldn't get out - she thought that was a riot and everytime I came near the tent, she motioned for me to go in it!
I removed the tent after a couple of days because I want it always to be fun. I figured I'd pull it out once in awhile as a treat. I replaced it with the fort. I filled it with some toys and put stuff on top of it. She likes it, but I think she's getting a little big for it. Perhaps it's time for an addition!
This past week I turned her gym mat into a street. I used tape to define the lanes and am working on some stop signs. Anna and I bought some cars the other day at Target so they now have a place to 'live'. Anna really likes the cars - she especially likes to run them along the walls but is getting much better at moving on when I tell her 'no'.
The 'street' also doubles as Anna's walking trail. She loves to walk back and forth on it. She's even trying to jump a little bit although her feet don't quiet leave the mat yet. And it's a great stepping stone for stepping up onto something instead of crawling up. She still crawls up the stairs instead of hanging on to the banister and walking up. So because the mat is a short rise, it's a great way for her to practice without the daunting task of a flight of stairs in front of her - I think she'll be walking up the steps come summer. . . but don't hold me to it!
I put her little sun tent in the great room for a couple of days and she crawled in and out of it, played in there for some privacy and also figured out how to walk in by ducking her head - makes her a bit more aware of that big noggin and its limitations! She really liked when I went in there with her. Once I went in and zippered it up so we couldn't get out - she thought that was a riot and everytime I came near the tent, she motioned for me to go in it!
I removed the tent after a couple of days because I want it always to be fun. I figured I'd pull it out once in awhile as a treat. I replaced it with the fort. I filled it with some toys and put stuff on top of it. She likes it, but I think she's getting a little big for it. Perhaps it's time for an addition!
This past week I turned her gym mat into a street. I used tape to define the lanes and am working on some stop signs. Anna and I bought some cars the other day at Target so they now have a place to 'live'. Anna really likes the cars - she especially likes to run them along the walls but is getting much better at moving on when I tell her 'no'.
The 'street' also doubles as Anna's walking trail. She loves to walk back and forth on it. She's even trying to jump a little bit although her feet don't quiet leave the mat yet. And it's a great stepping stone for stepping up onto something instead of crawling up. She still crawls up the stairs instead of hanging on to the banister and walking up. So because the mat is a short rise, it's a great way for her to practice without the daunting task of a flight of stairs in front of her - I think she'll be walking up the steps come summer. . . but don't hold me to it!
Balance Beam
Dave and I built a balance beam yesterday for Anna. All that is left to do is decide what design to put on it. At first I thought an inch worm, but I'm not sure my artistic skills can pull that off. I consider myself creative but definitely not artistic. If only Aunt Cheryl lived close by (and didn't just have a baby!). . .
I came up with the idea the other day and went down to the basement to look for scrap wood. I found a piece but passed on it thinking it needed too much work.
But Dave thought otherwise. I told him my idea over the weekend and before we headed for Home Depot, he decided to take a look himself. He went downstairs and chose the same piece of wood. I scraped the excess paint and sanded it. He filled some holes and added some molding to the side to take care of some imperfections. He also added a cross bar at one end to stabilize it. He primed and did a couple of coats of paint and now all it has to do is dry!
I can't wait to see her on it. We're going to put it between the contraption at first so she has something to hang onto. I think she's going to love it. We place boxes and pillows and an aerobic step in between the contraption right now and she loves to walk up and down and back and forth. This will simply narrow the surface and help with her balance. And then once the nice weather comes, it'll be a good toy to put outside and see how well she does without help. Can't wait! I'll keep you posted. . .
I came up with the idea the other day and went down to the basement to look for scrap wood. I found a piece but passed on it thinking it needed too much work.
But Dave thought otherwise. I told him my idea over the weekend and before we headed for Home Depot, he decided to take a look himself. He went downstairs and chose the same piece of wood. I scraped the excess paint and sanded it. He filled some holes and added some molding to the side to take care of some imperfections. He also added a cross bar at one end to stabilize it. He primed and did a couple of coats of paint and now all it has to do is dry!
I can't wait to see her on it. We're going to put it between the contraption at first so she has something to hang onto. I think she's going to love it. We place boxes and pillows and an aerobic step in between the contraption right now and she loves to walk up and down and back and forth. This will simply narrow the surface and help with her balance. And then once the nice weather comes, it'll be a good toy to put outside and see how well she does without help. Can't wait! I'll keep you posted. . .
Monkey Love
Uncle Michael (my brother) gave Anna a monkey for Christmas and she absolutely loves it. She carries it everywhere. Last night she was waving it around and making sounds that can only be described as monkey ones! She was really putting on quite a show.
The other night we were sitting together and she was hugging and kissing monkey. And then she did something she's never done before - she made monkey kiss me. So cute! If only we had the camcorder constantly running!
The other night we were sitting together and she was hugging and kissing monkey. And then she did something she's never done before - she made monkey kiss me. So cute! If only we had the camcorder constantly running!
Bath Time
Anna does not like having her hair washed but she does enjoy playing in the water. She actually gets very excited when she hears the water running and comes into the bathroom and motions that she wants to get in. One time I thought she was going to try and climb in but then realized it was too hard.
The other night, I asked her if she wanted to take a bath. At first she shrugged. I figured she didn't necessarily know what I was saying. But then she quickly nodded 'yes' and made the sign for 'bath' - a sign I've only used occasionally and without consistency. I was floored and wished Dave was there to see it.
The other night, I asked her if she wanted to take a bath. At first she shrugged. I figured she didn't necessarily know what I was saying. But then she quickly nodded 'yes' and made the sign for 'bath' - a sign I've only used occasionally and without consistency. I was floored and wished Dave was there to see it.
Anna 'Talk'
Dave was away at a sales convention last week so we tried to talk when Anna was awake so she could hear his voice and Dave could possibly catch some of her 'talking'. Every time he'd call, I'd tell her that he was on the phone and make the sign for 'phone'. The other day she was eating lunch and I was on the phone. When I got off the phone, she made a sign that looked like sleep. So I told her that it's not time to sleep, but time to eat. She shook her head 'no'. Then I realized she wasn't signing 'sleep' but 'phone'. So I reinforced her by telling her, 'yes, Mommy was on the phone.' Then she signed 'Daddy' and 'phone' and I realized she asking me if that was Daddy on the phone. It wasn't - Dave was actually already home, but I thought the connection was priceless!
Old McDonald - New Twist
Anna has a toy tractor that Mimi gave her. It has a farmer, horse, pig, sheep, cow and chicken. The other day Dave asked Anna where the horse was. She had it in her hand so she presented it to Dave. On the floor was the chicken so Dave picked it up and said 'chicken' and Anna signed 'eat'! I wonder what was on her mind!
Baby Ethan
Welcome to the world Baby Ethan! The Withingtons can't wait to meet you!
My best and oldest friend in the whole world just had her second baby yesterday at noon - a boy this time, brother to 20 month old Grace. Congratulations to the Kerr/Santos Family!
I haven't talked to Cheryl yet, but according to her parents, everyone is doing well. From what I could tell, didn't sound like she was in labor for too long but I don't know the specifics. Hopefully the second child was a little easier as others have professed.
I guess they'll be going home tomorrow - Grandma will be in town for a little while so I'm sure she'll be a big help with Miss Grace!
Oh, and Ethan was a month early (to the date) and still 6 pounds! Good boy! You look very sweet. I thought I still had a month to make you something special, but I guess you decided otherwise. :-) That just means you have something to look forward to.
This is obviously a big diversion from my original topic, but I couldn't let a happy occasion pass by without noting it. Here's to you Ethan!
My best and oldest friend in the whole world just had her second baby yesterday at noon - a boy this time, brother to 20 month old Grace. Congratulations to the Kerr/Santos Family!
I haven't talked to Cheryl yet, but according to her parents, everyone is doing well. From what I could tell, didn't sound like she was in labor for too long but I don't know the specifics. Hopefully the second child was a little easier as others have professed.
I guess they'll be going home tomorrow - Grandma will be in town for a little while so I'm sure she'll be a big help with Miss Grace!
Oh, and Ethan was a month early (to the date) and still 6 pounds! Good boy! You look very sweet. I thought I still had a month to make you something special, but I guess you decided otherwise. :-) That just means you have something to look forward to.
This is obviously a big diversion from my original topic, but I couldn't let a happy occasion pass by without noting it. Here's to you Ethan!
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