2. Food Junkie: Finley is trying more and more food, but still sticks with her 'usuals'. She will devour carrots and lunch meat one day and then not eat them at all for a week. She does like black beans now which helps give her a bit of protein. She would eat a whole crate of strawberries if we let her! She just loves them! She also likes apples and blueberries. Her favorite "treat" is animal crackers. I reserve these for errands and she is always a very happy shopper when they are around.
With Animal Cracker in Hand =)
3. Fun Facts to Know and Tell (this is a phrase my dad uses and I thought it was too appropriate not to use):
- Finley continues to be the sweatiest child I have ever met. She wakes up from naps completely drenched and even the shortest of car rides results in a mess of sweaty hair that curls. I am pretty positive that she gets this from me! Even though she may hate me for this one day, I credit my fast metabolism to the heat I radiate while asleep!
- She likes to put her head on the ground like she's going to do a summersault, but she just stays like this:
- When she says "Woof, woof" like a dog, she does two deep knee bends. It is the cutest thing ever and we laugh every time she does it!
- She also continues to have a runny nose regardless of the fact that she isn't teething and it's not cold outside. I'm already preparing for another doctor's visit for a sinus infection!
- She calls our cat a "dog" every time she sees it despite the fact that we correct her every single time and she is perfectly capable of saying "cat"! =)
4. Toys 'R Us: I couldn't believe it when I looked back at last month to see that she hadn't started playing with her MegaBlocks yet. They are an ABSOLUTE favorite and she can build pretty impressive things considering her age. She gets better with them every day and will trade a double block for a single one when she doesn't have the space for the double. This is definitely a sign of Devin's personality and I love seeing her curiosity and love for how things go together. She is also really attached to her blankie and Lola (her cow) lately...
5. Can't Live Without's: Books! I feel like every month I'm writing about Finley liking books more and more, but this past month, her love for books has exploded!!!! She will sit in my lap and let me read to her forever! She is very particular about which ones she wants read to her and usually requests those several times in a row. She likes the short board books especially if there is something on the pages that she recognizes like a dog, ball, baby, etc. Her all-time favorite book right now is 5 Little Monkeys. I probably read it at least 10 times a day.
6. Can't Live With's: Being inside all day. She has to play outside at least part of the day or she gets stir-crazy! She will go to the door and just whine. Last week was rough with all the storms which is why we let her go outside as soon as the hail let up!
7. Trick or Treat: One of her newest tricks is being able to point to mine or Daddy's nose, head, ears, etc. She also has really learned how to nod her head "yes". Her vocabulary is also growing a ton right now. She is able to repeat more and more and several times recently, I've been told what a good communicator she is by those who have watched her during church, bible study, etc. I know I won't remember all of her new words, but here are some "Thank You" "Welcome" "Bless You" "Lola" "Jenny" (our dog) "Jesus" "Waffle" "Water" "Adam" "Grandma Jan" "Binky" "Bible"
8. Little Miss Personality: We are definitely seeing more and more personality as she is able to communicate. I think she is going to be an interesting mix of me and Devin. We are both stubborn so she definitely gets that from both of us. Like most toddlers, she wants what she wants NOW and doesn't like it one bit when she doesn't get her way. If this continues, I will definitely be to blame... I was quite the pouter in my day. However, unlike me, she doesn't fuss for long which is much more like Devin. He rarely gets upset and doesn't stay upset for long. She loves getting messy and being in the middle of things which is more me, but has Devin's determination and focus. We've noticed that she still isn't really playing with other kids that much... She loves other kids, but hasn't figured out how to play with them. We know she is still a bit young, but it's one of the reasons we are so thankful for MDO and Bible Studies so she can continue to learn how to socialize with other children.
9. All in a Day's Work: I admit we've had so much going on the last month that we haven't been on a very firm routine. She still goes to bed around 7:30 p.m. and sleeps for around 12 hours. Her naps have been all over the place since we haven't been home as much, but she still likes a morning and afternoon nap though the length of these naps vary. I'm looking forward to the summer and a chance to relax and be at home more.
10. I'm Loving It!: I love, love, love her sitting in my lap and letting me read to her and I practically cry every time we are outside walking and she reaches out for my hand. The other day we were walking and she insisted on holding both of my hands which made for a very awkward walk, but one I will always treasure. I love watching her communication grow and how pleased she is when she is understood. She truly is a little sponge and it's fun to see her catch on to things we haven't taught her... such as saying "Thank you" "You're Welcome" and "Bless You".... We never taught her how to say those, but she says them on cue! I've also caught her a few times saying "Okay" which is something I never realized I said aloud, but I realize now that I do. I always say "Okay" (though I thought I said this internally) as I'm transitioning from one thing to the next and now Finley does it too! It's so crazy to see yourself in someone else!!!!!!
(I still haven't fixed my computer so I haven't been able to upload hardly any of my pictures from the past month... in fact, I have to delete at least 5 pictures for every 1 I want to upload and even then, I send my computer into a tizzy. My new hard drive is ordered so hopefully, I'll have lots of pictures next month!)
