One Year Check-Up

Last Monday Tali had her 1-year-old check-up at the pediatrician. Everything is great and Tali is hitting her developmental milestones. She's still tiny (around the 5th percentile) but has grown two inches since her last visit. I came with my usual list of questions and learned a few things:

1. She eats WAY more than most babies her age. But she also poops WAY more than most babies her age so it balances out.

2. While she does understand the word "NO" when I use it, she has absolutely no self control at this point. So she will do it anyway, not because she's being defiant but simply because she cannot control her urges. I have to wait a whole year until she develops this self control. Until then, I'll continue to tell her "NO" and watch her laugh (literally) and try to do it anyway.

3. It's time for big girl shoes! Now that she's taking steps she needs the support. I bought her first pair this past Friday and they are pale pink and very cute (and very expensive since her feet are so small and so narrow).

4. It's okay that she's still toothless.

Tali also got two shots and some blood taken. This was the worst round of shots yet. It took me a whole 15 minutes to calm her down afterwards. I hate the shots just as much as she does. It's too bad they can't make a pain-free needle.

The Bigger, The Better

One of the first rules of feeding small children is to cut their food into tiny pieces so that they don't choke. Great idea - but not for Tali. She will actually refuse to eat some foods in small pieces and prefers to break up the bigger pieces for herself.

For example, on Friday morning I was giving her some banana as a morning snack. I cut 1/3 of the banana and put it on her tray to cut into pieces. Before I could cut the rest, she took the whole chunk of banana and started eating it herself! (She actually ate the whole banana that day - in 3 big chunks - but that's another story.)

That same afternoon, she refused to eat a blueberry blintz in pieces but when I gave her an entire square, she ate almost the whole thing.

Yesterday I gave Tali Swedish meatballs as part of her lunch. I cut it into bite-size pieces and it just sat on her tray. Then I gave her an entire meatball and she ate it.

This morning it was the same thing with her snack. I gave her toast with a spinach spread. She refused it in small pieces but enjoyed the entire piece of bread with the spread. At least she eats, right?

Resolutions

Like most people, I make a New Year's resolution every year. But I think about what my resolution will be for a few months and make a realistic goal that I know I can accomplish and continue with after the year is over. My goal is never to lose weight or any other typical resolution - if I need to drop a few pounds, I don't need a resolution to make me do it. Instead, I try to focus on something that will improve my life and hopefully those around me.

For example, three years ago I made the resolution to learn how to cook a few dishes well. I didn't want to learn how to cook because I believe that is an ongoing process that cannot be accomplished in one year (or perhaps one lifetime). But wanted to get myself into the kitchen for the first time. Now I cook dinner almost every night and have plenty of great recipes to choose from.

Two years ago I resolved to start writing regularly. I always had a dream of publishing a book (who doesn't?) but knew that my writing skills needed practice. So, I started a blog about being pregnant. Now I'm onto blog number two and writing regularly.

Last year I resolved to budget my (our) finances better. With a new baby I knew we'd be spending more money than before. So I began clipping coupons for the grocery, stopped buying clothing for myself unless it was necessary or a gift from someone else and reviewed our credit card statements more closely.

So what's in store for this year? I'm challenging myself with TWO resolutions this time. The first is to be more focused. Like most women, I multitask. But when you multitask you don't get either job done well. So now I'd like to do one thing at a time - especially where Tali is involved. Since she'll be very mobile soon I'll need both eyes on her and I want her to know she has my full attention. My second resolution is to become my family's nutritionist. I'd like to learn more about what each member of our family needs (including Jackson, who's put on a few pounds from eating Tali's scraps) and implement changes in my food purchases and cooking to help everyone be as healthy as they can. It's not a diet (except for Jackson - his has already started), but just a healthier and more informed lifestyle choice.

With two resolutions for the new year, I need all the encouragement I can get. Feel free to send any helpful thoughts (or favorite recipes) my way!

Happy New Year!

Tali's first taste of blueberry blintzes on New Year's Day. Yum!

Happy 2010 to everyone! This time last year I had a little blob of a baby at home who didn't do much besides eat a lot, sleep a lot, poop often and cry a lot. Now I have a little girl who eats a lot, sleeps sometimes, poops a lot and still cries often. But, she has personality - and tons of it - so she's much more fun and entertaining than that blob from a year ago. 2009 was an eventful year and I'm sure 2010 will be even more eventful.

Looking back on 2009:

• All things Tali - from her first smile to her first steps, what an adventure it has been.
• Many, many, many sleepless nights.
• Having most of our family here together for Tali's almost baby naming in January and then her actual baby naming in December (long story but it involves lots of snow, both times).
• My sister's wedding in New Orleans and Tali's first trip on an airplane.
• My family's annual "girl's week" in Florida.
• Our never-ending house hunt that consumes most of our weekends from February through October. This year we actually had two accepted offers, but both fell through. We're getting closer...
• Buying a new car. It won't be here until the end of February, but we've joined the SUV club (reluctantly) and will now be a bit safer on the road.

Looking forward to 2010:

• All things Tali again - she'll start fully walking and talking this year, should be fun.
• Our first baby-free vacation since Tali was born. We'll relax, get massages and I'll finally get some sleep!
• Seeing my whole family together for my grandfather's 90th birthday in New Orleans.
• This will be the year we buy a house. (Now that it's written down, it must happen!)
• Most importantly, a happy and healthy family. I know it sounds super cheesy, but it's true. Life's so much better when everyone is happy and healthy.

So Long 2009

As 2010 rolls in (ha, ha - get it...she's rolling a wagon) a few hours from now, we wish everyone a great new year. Tali is asleep and I am struggling to stay awake until midnight. Hopefully your evening is more eventful than ours!

I Win (Why? Because I Win...)

Lately Tali has begun playing a very fun game called "drop my sippy cup on the floor." I find this game annoying and quickly got sick of picking up her cup. So yesterday I bought a piece of fabric that immediately stopped the problem. Hooray for the SippiGrip! As soon as I attached the cup to her high chair, her meal times changed. Tali tried to throw the cup once but realized it didn't really go anywhere and she hasn't attempted it again. Such a simple product yet such a great invention. A big thank you to the genius behind this product.

(PS The first person who can finish the quote in the subject and name the movie it came from will win a prize. Ilana - I know you know this one...)

First Step

When: This afternoon

Where: In her room

Details: Last week when Gran was here, we sort of forced her to take a step to us but I didn't count it as a real first step. Today, however, I am counting. Tali and I were in her room and she was playing with her activity table. At one point, she looked at me, let go of the table, put out her arms and took a step! Then she did it again! This was all on her own - it was her choice. She had to concentrate very hard but she did it. There were no more steps the rest of the day and I'm sure she still has a long time before she is really walking, but this was a big deal. In her first week as a one-year-old, she accomplished a major milestone. Hooray, Tali!

Weaning

I've been weaning Tali from breastfeeding for the past 2 1/2 weeks and today was her first day without any breastfeedings. The last one to be cut was the morning feeding and she was not happy this morning. She didn't want milk in a cup and just cried and cried and cried until I gave her breakfast. She refused to drink from the cup the whole meal (although she did cheer up).

Tali wasn't the only one upset about this - it has been very hard on me. Before I began weaning, I thought I was ready. But once it started, it was hard both physically and emotionally. For me (and many others), breastfeeding is a very special experience that cannot be explained. It was a special bond that I shared with my daughter. I was able to provide something that no one else could provide for her. (She rarely had a bottle, and when she did it was filled with breast milk.) Once the twelfth month rolled around, I thought I was ready to wean but when it actually began, I got very sad.

I cut out the first feeding (11:00 a.m.) and was okay with it. But a few days later, Tali cut out a feeding (7:00 p.m.) and that was very hard for me. Even though I eliminated the last two feedings, it was very hard and I did so reluctantly. Now an entire phase of our lives is over. I am making myself look at the positive:

- No more nursing bras.

- No more breast pump.

- No more nursing pillow attached to my waist.

- I can have a babysitter at any time (I didn't like leaving her during a feeding time).

- I can take a vacation without Tali.

- I can drink - as much as I'd like.

Even with all of those positives, I'm still a bit sad. I'll get over it but it's going to take me longer than I originally thought.

First Clap!

When: Last night

Where: In the bath

Details: Last night while giving Tali her bath, she clapped for the first time! Five months later than most babies, Tali can finally put her hands together and make a noise. Savta babysat her for most of the day while H, Saba and I went car shopping (we got a new car - yeah, won't come until February/March - boo). Savta worked on the clapping with her but she Tali just wouldn't do it. Then, while playing in her bath she decided it was time to finally give it a try. I'm very proud of her. I was convinced that she would be the only child who didn't know how to clap but now she can. What a big milestone!

First Birthday Party

This past Sunday was Tali's first birthday party. Her theme was "Winter ONEderland" (H's idea) so we decorated with snowflake balloons and a winter-themed cake. Party favors for the kiddies were personalized snow globes (a place for the kid to insert his/her own picture) and a winter-themed book. The day before the party, we experienced the first big snowstorm of the season. So there was snow on the ground for Tali's winter-themed party. How perfect! The only downside was that a few people couldn't make it at the last minute. Tali's music teacher came to entertain the kids and Tali herself had a great time. She was happy the entire party - it was like she knew it was her birthday. Here are a few pictures:

Arriving at the party.

Me and Tali - she's absolutely fascinated by her music teacher.

Sitting with her friend Samantha, staring at their music teacher.

Laughing under the parachute.

Her birthday cake!

Singing Happy Birthday to our daughter.

First bite.

Mmmm....this is GOOD!

No, Mommy! Don't wipe my face!

After the party - VERY dirty from all that crawling around!