It’s All About Genetics

Nature versus nurture. I’m not going to try and end that debate. However, here are a few “family traits” for your own judgement.

Music Lover

Adventurer

Chocolate Fiend

Accepting of all things Weird & Wonderful

Holidays & Fun Galore

Look Ma, I found a Wiwi! Any type of fruit is a “wiwi”. Cute!

Christmas Recap

Christmas morning started around 4:30 am. *Yawn*. Much to the dismay of my husband, I insisted we have breakfast before we opened our presents.

Croissants, jam, COFFEE, juice. Amber understands the concept of dipping and has set the record for the amount of times she can double dip her croissant in the jam before having to actually eat the croissant.

Then it was time for present unwrapping. Igor’s favourite part of the celebrations, as he gets to tear up all the paper.

Check it out, people! My Granddad got me a doll’s bed that’s big enough for ME!

Time for a nap.

My great Aunt Clare got me this cute fleece sweater! I am weary of this here “Christmas chicken”. WTF is up with that?

Christmas cracker hat photo from 2010:

 

From 2011:

Mmm crackers. Wait, what?

We also attempted to create a family Christmas photo. I shall let the results speak for themselves.

Good times!

Friends

A few days after Christmas a friend of mine came round with her two boys. One is almost exactly the same age as Amber is, and her older son is 3. Mayhem ensued, and afterwards a very sweet goodbye: the boys tucked Amber into “her” bed!

Who’s in the bed?

 

That’s no dolly!

Surprise!

Let me tuck you in…

I’ll just fluff up your pillow for you…

Fooled you, I am not sleepy AT ALL!

Bow to your queen

How were your holidays? Happy (belated) New Year!

Miss Independent & Funny Faces

Amber’s been enjoying her growing independence. Walking, running (away), putting on her clothes, her socks. Climbing up the slide, climbing on top of the cupboard. Throwing things into the bin, cleaning up messes, tucking herself into our bed: “Goodnight!” (only to throw off the covers and laugh maniacally).

^ Big girl.

^ I can put my own socks on, and pull them off as well!

^ My own table and chairs!

I am the king of this castle… bow down, servant!

^ Run away, aka the reason 90% of the photos we now take of her are blurry.

^ I like big boots and I cannot lie.

Funny Faces

The many faces of Amber.

^ Concentration.

^ Puffy cheeks.

^ Really? You are kidding me, right?

^ oooooooh, a shiny!

^ Canoodling with mom & her little friends.

^ Awwww mom, whyyyy?!

^ Classic deer-in-the-headlights look. 

^ Oh. Em. Geeeee. That’s HILARIOUS!

^ This week, I will be mostly wearing… a sieve.

^ Have I got something on my face? Is it gone? What?

^ Cutie-patootie. No way I’m smiling for the camera. YOU are cramping my STYLE, being in the same frame and all.

^ You know what they should do? Totally go back to the guilder. That darned Euro is causing my college savings fund party money to devaluate.

^ Love.

Break da Doggy

Amber loves dogs. She also loves Igor, our English Bulldog. When she sees dogs – outside the house, inside a store, on the television or the computer – she points and gets excited. If an unknown dog comes up to her however, she’ll freeze and stare. She doesn’t try to pet or pat them like she does Igor.

Recently, we were in the pet shop to get Igor some food. The pet shop is a magical place for children, as we all know. Furry animals! Birds! Fish! Toys! Yes, visiting the pet shop is an adventure, a treasure hunt even. Amber felt the same way as we wandered through the isles, looking for the most affordable bag of hypo-allergenic dog food. First she laid eyes on a squeaky toy, shaped like a bone. Then she found the guinea pigs and the rabbits. She pointed them out to a couple who were admiring something else, as if to say: “Look! Oh why don’t you look! Isn’t it AMAZING? Aren’t animals THE BEST THING EVER?!”

After we paid for the food – “that comes to one arm and one leg exactly” – Amber’s attention was drawn to a huge stuffed animal. An animal that was almost an exact replica of Igor, her friend. Except that he wasn’t alive. Amber, enthralled at this opportunity to inflict her actions of love on Igor without the risks of getting bowled over, ran up to the beast. First she grabbed it by the ears and dragged it over the floor. Then she put it back on its shelf, violently, and on its back. She took it off again, and threw it on the floor. She squealed with delight as she made a move a pro-wrestler would have been proud of: body slam!

When she was finished, she put him back on his shelf. We told her it was time to leave, and to say goodbye. Amber went up to the Igor clone one more time, gave him a big hug, as well as two of the sweetest kisses only a toddler can give.

PS: this event totally reminded me of Crappy Pictures’ illustration ‘Break da kitty!’, hence the title.

My, How Time Flies…

 

November 2nd, 2009:

November 2, 2010:

November 2, 2011:

Two years, from a tiny clump of cells, and the promise of what is yet to come,

to a flourishing, inquisitive & complete little person.

16 months & rocking toddlerhood.

 

The Beach & The Woods

There is nothing remotely scary about the beach. The waves crashing down, the wind blowing through your hair. Independence feels so good.

Sand angels. We’re hoping for snow, this winter.

The wind makes the sand blow fantastically away.

Safe in Dad’s arms.

Balancing on a tree branch.

I can do this, I just need a little help!

On Dad’s shoulders.

I’m taller than everyone!

The sun’s rays brought a special light to the moment.

Off into the sunset…

 

 

Cocooning

Amber had a horrible, horrible bout of the flu (or perhaps something called ‘the sixth illness’) last week. Auntie Vera came along to keep us company, and took some pictures of our cocooning moments.

These are normally such hidden moments.

I love how these photos express the humbleness of unconditional love.

The vulnerability and complete dependance of the sick toddler reminds me of the newborn days.

Resting. Letting her little body fight off the invaders.

I don’t think I have held her as much since her squishy newborn days.

Completely and utterly nestled.

Together, softly giggling.

15 Months = Having an Opinion

So, I’ve decided to stop with the monthly letters and given myself permission to make smaller, less all-encompassing posts. Seeing as perfectionism leads to procrastination, and procrastination leads to pinning, and before you know it all blogging time is gone.

According to the monthly updates I get from Babycenter, 15 months is a milestone month. The articles here and here got me all teary eyed. I was nodding my head in agreement, whilst choking up on the fact I got her her first pair of real shoes. To be honest, I quite easily could have gone for another month without buying them. Heck, I could easily have waited until she asked for shoes. Yes, I have a bit of an issue with shoes. So I’ve definitely been a bit more vigilant with the whole ‘don’t introduce shoes until they’ve been walking well for 3 months’. However, I also think it’s been my  own way of keeping her little. I don’t want to keep her little – I love all the stuff she’s doing now and feel utter joy whenever she learns something new, or surprises me on how much she can already comprehend. I just think they seem to symbolize the first step into the paved path ahead of her.

Okay, okay, enough with the DrAmAzZz. Time for some real updates on the girl.

Opinionated

We’ve known Amber as being opinionated, pretty much since she was born. However, now she’s really getting into her groove. Her favourite opinion? Coats, jackets & body warmers are meant to be layered. I like to think it is proof of her budding eclectic sense of style. Basically, even when it is absolutely boiling hot, if she spots one of her jackets, she’ll point to it. Here’s a picture of her little coat wardrobe:

Hmhm. Do you see where this is going? Layers, alllll layers.

*Swoon*

Different combinations are possible. How about a spring jacket, a rain coat, and a body warmer? All zipped up, of course.

Other Opinions:

Plates should not have food on them. Food should be on the table, if it is to be eaten.

The larger the utensil, the more suited it is for eating with.

One lovey is not enough. There should be a minimum of three.

Doorsteps are for dancing on.

If you – the parents – are going in one direction, I most certainly will go in the opposite one.

Play-Doh is for eating.

A paddling pool is a challenge in how much water I can imbibe.

I iz thirsty, momma!

Even if I have exactly the same food on my plate, I still want what’s on your plate.

Daddy should not touch, cuddle or kiss Mommy when I am around. Mommy is mine, all mine.

MIIIIIIINE!

Vocalizing

15 months also comes with words. Things Amber can say:

‘Dag-dag/doei/BahBah’ (bye bye, combined with cute hand wave. Usually only when person is out of sight.)
‘MOW/MAU/poe’ (cat)
‘Powie’ (dog. No idea why she calls them that.)
‘Op’ (finished, can be used for everything.)
‘Up’ (pick me up/get me out of my high chair, NOW!)
‘Papa’ and ‘Mama’ (interchangeable, it has something to do with her wanting a parent to do something specific, like comfort or help get off the fire truck)
‘Bop’ (nurse)
‘Mmmm’ (yummy)
‘Uh-oh’ (look, I threw something on the floor! Pick it up, so I can throw it again!)
‘Butt-ah’ (butter)

She understands a lot more words, as well. Which is awesome, albeit slightly panic-inducing. Let’s just say, we’ve instituted a swear jar.

Food

Still a boob-lover.

Still a veggie lover.

Still a fruit lover. She still doesn’t get juice at daycare (‘maybe she’s thirsty? Shall we give her something else?’), just water and breastmilk for her, except for a few sips here and there. She’s into other milks, too (soy, rice, oat, cow’s).

Loves eating lemon slices. She’s hardcore like that.

Dipping is a favourite way to eat, since watching me eat naan bread with chickpea curry, she started doing it as well. She very quickly caught on that the point of dipping is the dip, not the dipper – a lot of double dipping going on!

Tomato iz for t3h DIPPINGZ!

Mayonnaise. (Of course.) Beets – loved them. Fried egg. Scrambled egg.

Dislikes: fish… I can’t think of anything else. She’ll usually try anything, even a couple of times during a meal.

Developments

She loves doing routine tasks herself. She can pour rice milk from the carton, and this morning she insisted on ‘cutting’ grapes in half and feeding them to me. She’ll find a dirty diaper on the floor, or a tissue, and take it straight to the nearest trash can. (More panic: every time I lose something small, I wonder if perhaps it has been cleared away when I wasn’t looking). She’ll also try to make coffee for us (she knows exactly how to do that!), and insists on pressing all buttons/switches she could possible push.

She adores animals, especially cats and dogs. She points out the dogs to me when we cycle to daycare. It is so cute!

Ok, ok. Turned into a HUMUNGOID update after all. Still. I hope to now be able to get back on the more frequent/less wordy bandwagon.

Smorgasbord of Videos

^ She totally looks like a mini-bodybuilder!

Over the past weeks I’ve taken a couple of videos of Amber. She’s been trying all kinds of new things – most of them of the, let’s say, adventurous nature.

Enjoy!

Escape from Alcatraz – aka Mom’s Watchful Eye

I thought it was a bit quiet. I looked to where my kid was. She was not in the house. She was outside. In the rain. And loving it!

Superfast Fire Truck Driving

Feeding Time at the Zoo

She was trying the pasta & cheeze & green beans sauce.

Vacuum Cleaning is so Relaxing

I’ll just sit here, read a book and watch my Dad hoover. 

Amber’s Favourite Form of Exercise

Look Mom, I Can Climb Onto the Table 

In another ‘Wait, why is it so quiet’ moment, I turned around to see this:

Oy.

Check out how she got there (as she was happy to show me). Doesn’t she look like such a big girl in this video? WTF?

TTFN!

 

13 Month Letter

Dear Amber,

13 months, eh? You are walking around like it’s no biggy. Like you’ve been a one year old, a toddler, your whole life. The thing is babe, I am only just starting to realize how much you’ve changed over the past month. Sure, there were plenty of things you’ve been working on for a while. But it’s like you’ve changed from a baby to a kid overnight!

One part of it is the physical aspect. The way you make your way around the house, arms by your side or up in the air, but no longer out for balance unless you’re attempting a very sudden change of direction. Your little body seems just a tad more elongated, and there is less baby chub. Your thighs are still totally nom-able, you have seriously cute baby buttocks and your belly sticks out proudly in the direction you’re heading. However, your hair is getting longer and your face is changing as well: I noticed it really well when we were playing with my clothes and I put you in a sweater of mine. There you were: just your face, peering into mine with that challenging, curious and completely open look in your eyes. And I saw you. The child you’re turning into, step by step. Your Dad and I joke that you’re not a toddler – you’re a preschooler! At least in your mind you are.

You love to point at things and say ‘Dah!’ You also answer any question with ‘Yah’. The funny thing is, when you say ‘Yah’ it is always in a sort of off-hand way, a little nonchalant or serious or… it’s hard to describe. It’s hilarious, either way. Your Grandma said you spoke a Dutch word while you were over at her house the other day, but that she couldn’t remember what it was! Imagine that… oh well, I’m sure we’ll hear it soon enough. You also say ‘Mmmmmmammmmmma mammmmmmma’, especially when you are tired or sad or have been missing me. Aww, it makes me feel so loved!

Your favourite foods from the past month: eggs (scrambled, fried, boiled or in french toast: you love ‘em equally), baked beans, peaches & nectarines, hummus (as always), oatmeal, ice cream, sausage and Anything That Mom Is Eating OmNomNom. The newsletter I got this week mentioned that many kids start to get picky around this age and eat less. You are eating like a maniac! Some days you’ll eat like a bird, but others you just cannot get enough. You thoroughly enjoy stuffing your mouth as full as possible – your Dad and I are left wondering where the blazes you are hiding all of it! You’ve also started insisting on using a fork for all of your meals, or at least having one near your plate. Sometimes you’ll scoop the food up, sometimes you’ll pick up a piece and put it on the throngs, and sometimes you’ll even prick a bite on your fork and bring it to your mouth! Insanity, I tell you.

You’ve settled into your new daycare group very well, and as they do crafts more often we’ve had the pleasure of watching you colour on paper at home as well! Haha, I never knew I could be so proud. Watch out friends & family, all prezzies from now on shall be home-made by our little budding artist

Sleeping is going rather well – although every blogging parent out there knows not to actually post this as it is well-known to jinx it all. In any case, here’s a little schedule:

4 am you wake up, I get you and nurse lying down in our bed, in the hopes you’ll fall asleep snuggling with me
4:30 am you’re done and cannot fall back asleep, so I put you back in your bed
5:30/6 am you’re awake and we get up for the day
8:30 am down for nap 1: you’ve have started to have the odd days where you resist this one, so I think we might either be moving to the 2-1 transition OR those joyful teeth are playing up again. In any case, nap routine is: turn on soft lighting, close blind, change nappy, get you into your sleepsack. Then we give Igor the stuffed bulldog a kiss and another random stuffed animal. We turn the light off, you nurse while I bounce on the ball. I put you into your crib on your side, whilst you clutch onto Bernhard the mountain dog. You usually sleep for at least an hour.
1 pm nap 2
5:30-6:30 pm bedtime the routine is the same as naptime, except for: sometimes roley-poley fun in the big bed, we brush your teeth & wash your face, and have the seahorse playing during the routine. We also always say goodnight to baby crocodile & mama crocodile AND the crocodile’s tail. That’s how we roll…

With all the new experiences, feelings and things you can see and do, also comes the acute awareness when you can’t do something. Either because we say so or because you just haven’t figured it out yet. Cue frustration:

It’s okay, hun. I know it’s tough. And we’re here to help you as best we can – you know that, right? That your Dad and I are there when you need a hug. When you need a hand, or maybe two or even four. When you need a little distraction from the frustrating things in life. When you need a little guidance in how to get something done, or maybe just on how to stroke the dog and NOT poke your finger in his butt. We are here when you want to laugh and giggle, when you want to play and rough house. You show us the world through your eyes and we are looking babe, we really are.

I love you, little monkey.

xxx

Mom