13 Months

Month 13 has brought with it many changes. Heidi is rapidly changing. Here is whats new this month -

She has mastered walking and is quite content to wander around wherever we may happen to be, eagerly exploring her surroundings without so much as a glance back to see if we are watching.  She has, however, seemed to develop a healthy sense of danger in other areas. After spending time in a loud bouncy house with another toddler and getting trampled on, she has developed a fear of loud noises, bouncy houses and being in enclosed quarters with other kids. When I turn the vacuum on she runs as fast as she can in the other direction and then starts to cry. When I stick her in the crib with another toddler she starts to cry and holds out her hands to be lifted out. The only way I can get her to go in the bouncy house is by throwing fruit snacks in it but as soon as she has consumed them all she is headed towards the exit with a fearful expression. I'm hoping she will grow out of this. She was so fearless before so this behavior comes as a surprise. Heidi is becoming very vocal in her protests. One new thing she is protesting this month is the carseat. Sometimes if I sing to her while putting her in she will keep quiet but I am not always so fortunate. 

This month I am trying to teach her to follow directions. This involves frequent sometimes tearful readjustments, as she easily gets her feelings hurt, but we are having great results. She is starting to listen to me when I tell her to "stay here" or when I tell her that something is off limits ("no no"). Being able to communicate with her and have her follow directions is/will be a huge relief. It is so much easier to verbally command their attention and stop a dangerous behavior than it is to constantly be chasing a toddler without any verbal communication.

Heidi ♥s: 

Your Baby Can Read and Sesame Street - Whenever they come on the TV she gets the hugest smile and kicks her little feet

Avocados, Blueberries, Dino Bites, Pureed fruits in To-Go packages, Lollipops

Receiving Kisses - She doesn't give them as much as she receives them, but she will lean in and offer her forehead whenever she hears the beginning of a kiss coming on

Dogs - Before I even notice a dog she will start excitedly yelling "puppy" as soon as she sees one

Looking at herself and me in the mirror when I am driving - she gets the biggest smile and giggles like crazy

Her grandmas - always greeted with smiles and giggling

Sweet Talking Ken and all Barbies

Crawling on dangerous things

Getting into dirty diapers when Mommy isn't looking