Around December 1st we noticed that Elizabeth was getting one of her molars. By December 7th we realized that she wasn’t just getting one of her teeth – but five! Four molars and an incisor. It just didn’t seem fair that this little girl would have to go through so much pain. It was a tough couple of weeks as they all cut through.
Maybe that’s why she tended to walk around with toys in her mouth? Here she is with her Lil’ People. She looks like an old Japanese movie dinosaur as she walked around the house ‘eating up’ her Lil People:
One of the exciting adventures this month was her first day out sledding. We had her all bundled up in her snowsuit and her cool silver space boots.
Everything started out fine – she loved watching all the people and other kids.
Here’s a video of her very first trip down the big hill…
But then after the second ride, ending with a face-full of wet snow, we tried to put her back on the sled for some more winter fun and she burst into tears. Was it the ice-cold wetness on the face? Was it the fact that it was probably too steep of a hill and too fast of a ride for a 14-month old? We’ll never know…but that was the end of our sledding “day” for Eliz. Mom and Dad, however, took some more turns using the sled. I forgot how much fun it was to be scared using a sled with minimal steering capabilities. It wouldn’t have been so frightening if I wasn’t afraid of bowling over youngsters and other adults. It was a fun, crowded day that day on the hill.
It was funny to watch her trying to walk around in the snow. She looked like a little Michelin Man with a straight-legged walk in impossible-to-walk-in boots. Not to mention soft snow, unlevel ground, slipping…she was tuckered out in minutes on her feet.
I had gotten Elizabeth a couple of new toys for Christmas and decided to give them to her early. We weren’t going to be home for the holidays and she wouldn’t understand the whole unwrapping presents ‘thing’ anyway so I figured why not let her enjoy them right away.
She loves crawling in/under/over things, so I got her these fabric tunnels:
She loved them immediately. I loved watching her run around the house without pants on, too. Not a frequent sight during these chilly winter months.
Eating time is becoming more and more messy and Eliz ‘experiments’ with textures.
The poor girl was so sick toward the end of the month – just as I was feeling pressure to get some pictures to create our Christmas Card. I felt bad as I dressed her in her Christmas dress and tried to set up a studio at home to snap some pictures.
The photo op didn’t last long…I think I got five or six pictures before I decided it wasn’t worth putting her through the exercise. But luckily I did have one good enough for the card but this one I thought was cute too with her sucking her thumb.
Elizabeth loved the Christmas Tree. Here’s a video of her sharing her joy. She loved the ‘balls’ and there was an ornament with her picture on it that I also hung low for her to see. She was very gentle with the tree and the ornaments, which truly surprised me. She would touch everything, but never damaged the tree or the ornaments.
It was really precious to watch her every day with the tree. And she even said “pretty” one morning while looking at the lights. Another new word for her. Right around this time, she also strung together two words for the first time – she said “Hi Daddeee!” when Andy came home from work one day.
For Christmas we went home to Philly to be with both of our families. Christmas Eve is the big celebration with Andy’s family. I think we had 27 people at Andy’s mom’s place. And eventhough it’s been a year since Elizabeth had seen most of the family, she was a real trooper. No melt-downs, no fits, no attempts to fling herself down the stairs…she was my little angel.
Carol had brought red & green beads for everyone to wear, and somehow I think Eliz ended wearing them all that night!
And, don’t tell anyone else, but I think Eliz especially loved Brian…he would toss her high up into the air and she would beg for more. She even gave him hugs and kisses. Not something she shares with just anyone! A video is on the webalbum.
Christmas Day was just as busy – we traveled to three different houses that day. And each with a dog to add even more excitement to Elizabeth’s day.
At Bobby’s house, she played with all of his animated Christmas dolls and chased poor Steve & Natalie’s dog all around the house digging her hands into his thick fur. (Notice that Eliz isn’t much bigger than Santa!)
At my brother Joe’s house, she relaxed on cousin Colin’s lap as she took a break from being chased by his dog Ashley.
She also got one of the best gifts a kid can receive…a BIG empty box to play in…(sadly we couldn’t bring this gift home with us, though)
Well, ok, she also liked playing in one of the small boxes, too, as everyone took turns pushing her around the house in it.
From there we went to Andy’s sister’s house. Elizabeth was finally wearing out, but even after getting her into her jammies and trying to find her some quiet time, she still refused to go to sleep (of course). There were too many people, and a dog, and she might miss something exciting!
A funny thing was that since Elizabeth went to be before presents were opened on Christmas Eve, and then Christmas Day was so busy, and then each day after was so busy, we didn’t get to sit with her to open her gifts until the day before we flew back out!
We were so very thankful for two special gifts from Stephanie and Carol – a little bit of freedom. Steph came over one night and babysat for us so we could go visit some friends. And Carol came by one afternoon so we could also get some ‘adult-time’. I went to lunch with some dear friends and Andy took his Mom out for lunch. I was glad that Eliz was able to get some private time with family, too. I think it is so important that she has time away from us and develops relationships with family and friends, without turning to us for entertainment or comfort. Now we just need to find a way to get a “night” away! ha! Andy and I have since talked about having someone watch her while we go away for a night…aaahhh, wouldn’t that be nice?! A full night of sleep? Unheard of.
Our time in Philly is exhausting every year, and now even more so with Elizabeth, but I don’t think we’d have it any other way. It is so nice to be home with family for the holidays. Or…maybe one year they’ll come to us?
More pictures and videos on our December WebAlbum.
No comments:
Post a Comment