13 Months: Independence Initiated

"Let the wild rumpus start!" - Where the Wild Things Are

Fiona is 13 months old today! It seems that at 12 months and 1 day, our baby disappeared and in her place an independent toddler stood.  Highlights of the last month include:

• Fi is more more mobile than ever!  Even though she's not walking on her own yet, she is never still.  Instead, she's constantly scooting, crawling, standing up, squatting down, rolling over, pushing, reaching, and grabbing.  This new found mobility is making for some interesting nights at our house.  Several times each night for the last week, we've been awakened by our girl's cries and have found her like this:

I'm up! 

• Today is Fiona's last day in the infant room at her preschool.  We are so grateful for the loving care that her teachers Melissa and Megan have provided over the last year.  After slowly transitioning all of this week, she will be in the toddler room full-time on Monday.  The transition has been hard on everyone involved, but Fiona loves being around "the big kids."

• The toddler room has two requirements that have also required our family to adapt:  Fiona now only takes 1 (long!) nap per day and drinks all of her milk from sippy cups.  We're very excited about saying so long to bottle cleaning!

• Fiona is talking more than ever - although most words still seem to be in a language that only she understands.  We do clearly hear her say Mama, Dada, Cup, Dog, and Cat - and she seems to understand nearly everything we say. 

• Fi LOVES to read.  Her current favorites (that we now have memorized) are:   Where the Wild Things Are, Daddy Cuddles, Baby Einstein's Touch & Feel Farm Animals, and I Love You Stinky Face. 

• Just as our pediatrician warned us would happen, Fi has started being more picky about what she will and will not eat. She's still getting some vegetables down, but the list is getting shorter!

• In total, it's been a big, big-kid month -- but being a big kid is hard work (for Fiona and her parents!)