The First and the Last?

This has been a week of firsts for us, and maybe one last. After being a little berated by the pediatrician at her 12 month appointment because Reina still used a bottle versus a cup, we were given a deadline to stop bottles by 15 months. Well, she's been off the bottle for 36 hours and counting...although she still rarely will actually hold her own sippy cup, so spoiled.

Anyhow, for the firsts, Reina had her first official "play date" with Sam(antha) and Brendan, some kids whose moms I used to work with. It was a fun time for all of us and Reina was wiped out afterward...easy bedtime!

Another first is discovering how to safely go down stairs (not demonstrated in the below photo). She's been climbing up them quite fast for months but until recently had no safe way to get down. Gravity and a lack of fear were a bad combo! So, she's learned to turn around and take each step at a time. She's also learned it is scary to go down too fast and asks for help. Good.

Reina is eating more efficiently and has tasted some interesting things because of her improved skills. She has tried mango (not a huge fan) and beans (totally loves, Daddy's girl) and french fries and chocolate cake(loves but will not get to eat too often). She has a new plate that divides her food and enables her to sort to her little OCD heart's content, thanks Sam! She also can recognize, get excited and ask for by name: cheese, which sounds like "thees" but is mutually understood.

Reina's walking is improving along with her eating and she now loves to do laps around the dining room and family room, stopping at the entrance to play peek-a-boo around the corner and to wave at me when she's in the hall. It is funny to see her develop a sense of humor. She likes to sneak up on her Daddy and tackle him when he sits on the floor.

Reina is also more interested in books, but I still find her chewing on hunks of them on occasion. She'll actually bring us one and try to climb into our lap to read with her. So very sweet. Her hugs and kisses are becoming more frequent, even through the glass door to the patio. She tried to kiss me while I was out and she was in but ended up just doing a blowfish on the window!

Oh yeah, and she can let Hermes out of his cage now, too. Sweet.

Ok, I've gushed enough for one day. Can you tell I'm having fun at home with my little person?

Kind of blurry, but I love the Elvis face and the upside down cup!

Intently reading a Christmas Angel book from Vivienne

Going down stairs the wrong way

Did she fall from the apple tree or just spring fully formed out of Bill's head?

Mmm, macky-cheese and beans, and a little pink tongue

psst, Mama, I REALLY like french fries