Happy 2011

In the last few weeks, Michael and I have had the opportunity to do a bit more "real" parenting, rather than just meeting basic needs and keeping Libby from immediate harm.

Libby and GiGi matched on Monday!

Tonight, we had a definite "moment."  We were eating our delicious traditional meal for New Year's Day, which I modify so that Michael can choke it down (he doesn't like sweet potatoes, collards or black-eyed peas).  So we had fried pork chops, sweet potato fries (which I just learned Michael really detests, but Libby could eat her weight in - and nearly did), a great spinach salad that GiGi makes and black-eyed peas cooked with bacon in them (these Michael choked down first since he was starving, so it didn't matter so much.)  However, he said the pork chops were "tremendous" - so, I'll take it.

Anyway, we'd removed this cloth, cushion insert thing from Libby's highchair since it's always getting dirty and covered with food.  We (I) was hoping to get rid of it.  We now know that's not going to happen, because it keeps her from turning completely around inside or her chair - AND KEEP HER FROM ATTEMPTING TO STAND UP IN IT.  She started to try to stand up and we suggested that she not do that, but rather sit down, as that was the safer option.  After a few seconds, she took her seat.  But then she tried again.  We were more firm.  She didn't stop.  I jumped up and told her, "No" and to sit down again and she rather froze in place.  Slowly, and differently than ever before, that bottom lip popped out (looking much like her father's).  I calmly tried to help her sit down, but the crying started.  I left her in her seat and calmly rubber her back and explained why we reacted as we had, gave her a sip of water and a few kisses to calm her down.  I sat back in my chair, told her I loved her and said why it was a bad idea again and gave her a sweet potato fry.  Ahh, we were okay again.  And the cover is back on her chair.

Libby has been testing us recently also with cup-throwing from her highchair.  Frustration for us all!  I remember fondly the days she would refuse to hold it herself.  And boy does she love drinking her water these days.

She also wants to help more with feeding herself, so we've done a bit of that.  She's also enjoying cantaloupe a lot, sharp white cheddar cheese, rye bread and mandarin oranges if you put them in her yogurt.

Libby is also walking more and more... when she doesn't realize it.

We've gotten a great deal of use out of her wagon already!  Laps around the house and yesterday when the weather was so beautiful, we took her to the playground in our neighborhood.

And her friend, Ty, and his parents came over to share in a bit of celebration for the New Year.

Here, let me help you with yours!

At last - both on!

Happy New Years 2011

Going for a ride!

2010 was quite a year!  What does 2011 have in store?!?!!  We know that in just one week, our Miss B turns ONE YEAR OLD!  More on that later.