She did it!

Yes, yes, I know I've been a slacker on the blog. What can I say? I've been tired! But today I'm motivated by three things: 1. my mother asking if she missed any updates 2. a date with my husband and 3. my baby agreeing to take more than two sips of milk from a cup

J and I had a great time seeing the movie "Up in the Air." Really makes you grateful for all the things you have, whether they be people or things. Also some other interesting messages. Then we got take-out cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory (even at 3:30 pm that place is PACKED!)...we took it down to the Foodcourt and sat in a "romantic" table for two by the escalator and people-watched. The baby apparently was also very good for the babysitter! I expected to be greeted with her usual "Mama," but no, she really surprised me and acted like we'd never left. Good sign!

I think in one of my last posts I griped about how the ped. wanted her off the bottle by the 15 month visit. Well, a few nights ago, she was "drawing" with her bottle. She tilts the bottle over and draws with the nipple as if it's a crayon! So, I gently said, "Oh, maybe we need to drink that milk out of a cup?" (This is not the first try...) I introduced first the milk in a plastic cup, then her silver cup, then back into the plastic, then the lid of the plastic, etc....I think she agreed on a few sips. (waayyyyyy more than in the past) We say "good!" and "clap."

(Btw, our child must have very good self-esteem...she claps for herself when she does something right. Like, ALL the time! It is so funny!)

Well, we have not remained consistent with the bottle/cup thing, but no matter, tonight again, she began drawing, we switched over to a cup and she even took the cup upstairs in her room before bed. Yippee! I am so elated, simply because I was not sure how to even begin to take the bottle from her. As common thought goes, she herself is telling us that she is "sorta ready." So I've decided not to "push" it, but to let it happen as it is. At least I can tell the ped. "Well, she drinks some milk out of the cup!" Yeah!

Other commentary:

1. two teeth (one top and one bottom) Miss Snaggletooth, her daddy calls her
2. one sentence: "I see" learned from "Brown Bear, Brown Bear"--this has LOTS of possibilities "I see this, I see that" but for now, she is content with "I see...."
3. the "f" sound foo is now fan (yikes, watch those swear words...ha ha)
4. recognition of our youngest neighbor boy on their Christmas picture: "key"
5. also of course "key" for the real thing
6. 110% fascination with telephone (tele or tay) and remotes. I swear I did not take that DVD out of the player....
7. yoyo: ya-ya
8. cheese (say "cheese" and recognition in grocery store!)
9. two pictures from her playmat "dog" and "duck"--she got them right, even when switched around!

Three pictures from our recent weekend trip to Alabama, which was faster than a whirlwind and also included a baby fever:

With Aunties L and B

Hugs for Auntie B

With Grandma, color coordinated