Story Time & Pigtails

Last week we started to go to story time at the local library.  Amelia LOVES books and we read 4-5 times a day when we are home at her initiation.  She has been really shy at story time so far, but I can tell she really likes it because she was so excited to go earlier this week.

For story time, I decided to put pigtails in her hair since it is now long enough!

 Doesn't she look so old?! 

Time at Home

Since Amelia is home so much more and its still kind of cold outside, we wanted her to have some way of getting exercise inside, so we asked for a slide for her for Christmas.

 Gramma and Grandpa came through for us and Amelia loves her slide!

 Tossing balls up and down the slide!

 Amelia climbing up her slide.  She has been working really hard at climbing the slide the opposite way - up the slide and the other day she finally made it!  She was so proud of herself.

 Sliding down

 Such a big girl, now that she can climb into another chair.  Only the couches are left to conquer!

 Amelia with her big feet friends.  They sit on a shelf in her room and every morning we get them down so she can play with them.

 Big hugs for lion

 All around fun!

 Amelia has also been putting things on her hands lately - as you can see she has mittens now, but socks work great too!  I think she puts them on her hands more than she lets them stay on her feet.  This child is not really a fan of having socks on her feet.

 She also likes to put on mommy's sweatshirts!  To her they are dresses!  It makes me realize how small she really is.  I fold the sleeves so she can use her hands and when I put the sweatshirt back on the sleeves end above my elbows.

 Nana and Papa got Amelia a Pooh book for Christmas, that has their voices reading to her.  She loves this book!  I almost have all the pages memorized she listens to it so much.  

 One day after nap time - Amelia just wasn't ready to get out of her crib yet, so she kept requesting stuff to be added!  Cribs are so much fun!

 Books, blankie, toys galore!

Changes

On January 2nd, my first day back to work from the Christmas break, I put my 2 week notice in.  This was and is a really big step for us as I will now be a stay at home mom for Amelia and her soon to be sister.  Yes, that's right - I am also pregnant for those who are not aware!  So much information in just 2 sentences :-)   We are very blessed Patrick's job has been going well and will provide enough for us to take this step of faith.  We are very excited, a little nervous, but we feel Amelia and her sister will benefit immensely from me being the one to raise them during the day.  Amelia's daycare was very good and they were very sad to see her go.  She moved into the toddler room in November and she has thrived in the atmosphere created by her caregivers.  I believe they truly loved her which was an answer to my constant prayers.  

As a result to these changes - the last few weeks have been quite the transition for all of us.  Amelia's last day was before my last day of work, so gramma came up to help out, which was a huge blessing.  I have to say though the week she was up here, was quite a stretch for us all.  Amelia was originally supposed to go to the big OC, but ended up puking all over the night before we went to drop her off.  Throughout the week, all of us got sick.  Gramma mid week.  Daddy during the Lion King play (Amelia's birthday gift to me) and Mommy the following day.  Needless to say it was a bit rough.   To top it all off, I found out the following Monday that I have gestational diabetes.  Wow- when it rains it pours!  We have all survived and are adjusting to our new life!

And as I note, I will be posting about our baby girl #2 and sharing more information about that exciting news - she deserves her own post which is why I'm not writing more about her now.

While gramma was here we also celebrated Christmas with her.  Unfortunately, grandpa wasn't able to come and we missed him not being there.  These were pretty much the only pictures we took the whole week since it was a bit hectic.

 Amelia prancing around with her tunnel on her back

 Celebrating Christmas.  Amelia was the little elf handing out gifts....not bad for her first time.

 Gramma helping Amelia open one of her gifts.  If you notice in the background there is a kitchen set.  That is mine from when I was little!  My parents kept it - it will definitely come in handy now and Amelia loves it!

Amelia checking out her new toy.

Amelia got one other gift, which will be in a later post.

 Amelia helping gramma open gramma's gift

"What did you get gramma?!"

Thank you again gramma for coming up and taking care of Amelia and the rest of us throughout that week!  We truly appreciate it.

18 Month Stats

A couple weeks ago Amelia had her 18 month check up.  Here are her official digits:

Height: 33.75 inches - 94th percentile

Weight: 26 lbs - 72nd percentile

Head Circumference: 48.1 cm - 87th percentile

Go Pinky!

One of Amelia's Christmas gift was a rocking horse from Uncle James, Aunt Jenna and Olivia.

 Amelia loves to squeeze the ears and dances to the song little Pinky plays.  Though I'm not sure who likes the song better....Daddy or Amelia :)

 Rockin' away

 Enjoying the ride.

One night while making supper Amelia made her appearance with Daddy's stocking hat on.  Its so big for her little head that she could hardly see anything.  Though for some reason she really does like covering her eyes, walking and seeing where she ends up.

 Making her grand entrance.

Where will I end up?  Who is this sniffing me?!

Help Mommy!

A couple weeks ago, we showed Amelia the sign for 'help'.  It seemed like it could be useful thing for her to communicate and overall - it has been.

Tonight - I was sitting on the floor with a pillow behind my back and Amelia was on the other side of the room.  Suddenly, she started pointing to the toy side of the room with a concerned look on her face, signing help and please.  So I ended coming over in order for her to show me more clearly what she needed.  I walked over to the place was and she proceeded to take a seat exactly where I was.  Suddenly everything was right in Amelia's world.  I guess the saying "move your feet, loose your seat"  was pretty applicable here.

Advise?!

So I need some advise......

Amelia loves to scream in public - mainly at the store when she is in the shopping cart.  It seems to occur the most when she is bored or doesn't want to be sitting in the shopping cart anymore or just for the fun of it.   I have tried to ignore it and I have considered leaving the store, but since her goal is to get out of the shopping cart - I feel like she would be winning in that instance as well.  I've also considered, giving her snacks, but that seems like it would only reinforce the behavior or anytime we go to a store she will want to eat. 

At home I have been trying to identify - a loud voice vs. a quiet voice - hoping this will help when we are in public.   Amelia totally thinks the whole thing is a game and thinks it is quite funny. 

Any suggestions - very wise ladies?!

Update: Thank you so much for your advise ladies - I totally appreciate it and will give it a try....this weekend will be our first store outing.
Update #2:  Well, we had our outing this weekend and overall Amelia did much better.  She had a bit of a difficult time towards the end, but I'm not sure I can blame her - it was her naptime and she was really tired.   I distracted her with a book, held back on giving any distraction (aka - reward) snacks and tried to entertain her.  I'm sure some outings will be good and some bad, but at least I feel like I have more tricks in my back pocket now!  Thanks again ladies!