***Breaking News***

Niva took 3.5 steps on her own today! And Daddy was on Skype in Syracuse to witness it! The weird thing is that he had a dream last night that she would walk and the dream just happened to play out while we were Skypeing. Earlier in the day we were also Skypeing with Unkee Wajee in NYC--Niva stood up on her own and made many attempts to walk then too. But Niva only does this during Skype time! Seems like someone is being a little showoff! Of course she wouldn't even stand up when I tried to take a picture...

Halfway there!

She's Crafty

Today, Niva and I made our first craft-- a door hanger! Okay, I described the colors, shapes, and letters while I tried to keep her from eating the foam pieces. I already have a big bag of craft supplies waiting for the days when we can both participate in the craftiness!

I did it myself ! (with a little help I guess)

By the way, in case anyone was dying to know, I put Niva down 30 minutes earlier for her AM nap and she took the bait! Morning Nap is back in business, woohoo!

Haha, I'm tricky!

Bonus pix of the day...Niva discovers her belly button:

*Pillsbury Doughboy Voice* Heehee!

No Nap Niva

I think I may be soon saying goodbye to the morning nap. For the past 2 days, I have put Niva down at 10am and she tells me, "Nigh, nigh". However, for the next 2 hours, I watch her on the video monitor-- tossing, turning, standing, screaming, crawling, jumping, babbling, whimpering! Sometimes, she gets quiet for a long stretch and then I turn on the monitor to see if her little booty is in the air (that means she's in dreamland). To my dismay, I see her big eyes shining into the camera. I don't know why but this lack of nap makes my anxiety level soar! I guess I will just have to accept that we may be transitioning into one nap and my time for shower/breakfast/chores is going to have to be altered! Wonk wonk...

Get over it, Ma!

Traipsing Into Toddlerhood

Niva becoming a toddler means it's time to stimulate her mind in different ways. We tried a new activity today using bears with different colored shapes on them-- a matching game I found on the internet! It's a little too advanced for her now but she sure did love playing with them. At one point, I put my hand out and asked her to give me a card...her little face scrunched up and she proceeded to throw a toddler tantrum. It lasted about 30 seconds but I was taken aback! I'm bracing myself for the next couple years...

Don't mess with my Bear Cards! Grrrrrr.

The New Hot Spot

Back in the day, frozen yogurt shops used to be the hot spot for Niva to meet up with pals...

http://nivajosephine.blogspot.com/2010/09/tutti-frutti-playdate.html

http://nivajosephine.blogspot.com/2010/10/expanding-horizons.html


Now, it's places with inflatable play. We are on a mission to find the best one around! And it sure does help that it's free until a certain age-- price is right!

We've been 2 places this week-- first with Sebastian at Locomotion Inflatable Play...

Gimme some dap...oh my bad, Seb!

Then, today we met Juliet at Wazoo's...

Hey friend, come find me!

It was so sweet how Juliet reached for Niva to give her a hug!

What a baby workout! I can't wait for the loud, rowdy older kids to go back to school so we babies can have the place to ourselves!

The Puppy Yeah Yeah Song

Anybody know of a mother-daughter talent show we can sign up for?

1 Year Update

Here are the stats from the 1 year check up:

30.5 inches (90%)
22 lbs, 14 oz. (75%)
I don't remember the head size but it was in the 95 percentile range.

Since that appointment, Niva has graduated to whole milk and a real toothbrush...we are officially in toddlerhood! I miss my teenytiny baby, but I love how Niva turns more and more into a cognizant person everyday!

Look, I'm a toddler! I got the swimming certificate to prove it!

I can't help that I'm growing up so fast.

Very soon, I'm going to be driving this Red Wagon! (Thanks Dada for my cool b-day present)

My best friend Momo tells me the secret to growing old gracefully.