walking

Nevi's walking EVERYWHERE now and not just a couple step here and there. Robb took her outside for a stroll down to the playground for her first 'outside walk' and she does lap after lap around our home. She's becoming a pro and is more balanced and confident everyday. Pretty cool...

last couple a weeks

Busy busy busy, these last couple a weeks have been. Robb's birthday was tons of fun (I think he'll vouch for that as well)... We went to a barbershop banquet on the eve of his b-day. Nevi and I stayed out past our bedtime to enjoy the wonderful music and company. Robb stayed even later, hitching a ride home the director of his chorus; the two of them (and me) continued to celebrate at our home into the wee hours. The night AFTER his birthday, Robb and I tested out a new babysitter for Nevi and went on a wine tasting in Lyons, CO. The new babysitter was a hit and we are grateful to have yet another kind soul in our life that appreciates and enjoys a good kiddo like Nevi. Marie is her name and she not only works with me at Home Instead, she also lives right in our neighborhood! A keeper.

The beautiful couple below are friends of ours that we visited with just this afternoon. They are expecting their first baby in June! Happy to have another 'Nevi friend' on the way...

Lastly, this first pix is of Nevi doing her 'homework' from GrandmaMom. She just bought us a program called, 'My Baby Can Read' and it comes with DVDs and Flashcards. It's actually a lot of fun and Nevi can make it through 1/2 to 2/3rds of the way through a video before turning her attention elsewhere and really likes the flashcards. We do these almost daily and it seems to offer yet another way to stimulate and 'play' with Nevi. She still isn't 'talking' per say but she definitely recognizes certain words and seems to absorb info much more quickly now.

She's walking!

Neviah is officially walking now! She gets herself up from a seating position using the couch or chair (or something) and now, without hesitation, walks away from her crutch. She can take a dozen steps or more before going boom. Sometimes she just stands for short periods and you can see her using her feet to find her balance. She seems to get slightly frustrated when she falls but you can't blame her since it happens all the time now. She can also climb the entire staircase to the upper level (with us standing behind her of course).

Nevi took her first trip to Toys R Us (and let me come)! We purchased a Xylophone to continue her seeming interest in music and increase her coordination. I think I like it as much as her.

Lastly, Nevi got her first teeth! They're coming in on the bottom and have caused quite a bit of discomfort, as expected. They came in just after her 10 month birthday. Her appetite is still really good but we'll keep blending her food until she gets more of those teethers....

WOW- World of Wonder

We went to our local Children's Discovery Center here in Lafayette called WOW, World of Wonder. It was slightly ghetto but still worth the cost - FREE! We danced in front of mirrors, some distorted and some real, played with train sets, crayons, petted a HUGE dinosaur and Nevi played her first real piano. Robb was a but unimpressed with her skills but I see definite potential. We'll definitely be going back there! Also Nevi will be going with Robb to her first gymnastics class tomorrow (Tuesday 1/5). Robb researched local venues and found one for 10-12 month olds! I can't wait to hear all about it...

Playing with her Christmas Gifts...

Nevi is very busy playing with all her new toys from Christmas! Her tent has been set up in our living room since Santa came and there are farm houses, tractors and play blocks spread across the main level floor....our house has officially been taken over by baby-dom. There are outlet protectors in every socket, no plants resting below 4 feet and every time I attempt to open the cabinet under our kitchen sink, I am rudely reminded that it has been Nevi-proofed. If only I could remember this! Dirty dishes are everywhere and 'cleaning' has taken on a whole new meaning... picking up toys off the floor at the end of the day and cleaning Nevi's bottles is the new thorough cleaning. Forget vacuuming, dusting, cleaning the bathroom, etc. it just doesn't get done. I never understood why people hired cleaning crews but now I do. Playing with Nevi, educating Nevi and assuring her safety, health and happiness is our #1 priority. Everything else falls to the wayside. It's a bit shocking but definitely worth it. NO teeth yet but occasionally she'll chew on her frozen teething ring when I think she's uncomfortable or grouchy (the signs I've been told). She's walking better and better everyday but still a hand. She'll take a few steps on her own before teetering over. And we praise her profusely when she does! It's hard to believe she's almost 10 months old and she's looking more and more like a toddler everyday, instead of my little baby Nevi. It's soooo cool to watch her transform so rapidly. I use sign language all the time now and she'll raise her hands up and try to imitate me. No real signs yet but she's making associations and putting it together. You can just tell. She understands her name and words like milk, food, Dylan and walk. She hugs me tight every night before bed for a good 5 minutes before I lay her down. She takes her thumb and rests her head on my shoulder and sometimes rubs or pats my neck as I rub or pat her back. I love my cuddle bug more than I could have ever fathomed possible.