I'm Busy and Willa is One Year Old

Actual writing to follow...

Pennsylvania

Last weekend we made the trip to Pennsylvania to visit Daren's family. We thought that driving through the night would be the easiest on Willa and us since it is a six hour trip from Cary, NC to Stewartstown, PA. The drive was easy up until hour three.  Halfway into our journey Willa started to stir about every 20-30 minutes. She wasn't awake or asleep but she definitely was unhappy. I drove myself insane with how many times I sang the umpteen verses of The Wheels on the Bus.

We got in around 2-230am and were ready to head straight to bed. Unfortunately, Willa had a different plan. She fussed, and played, and cried, and did everything but go to sleep. I think she finally went down around 430am and slept until about 7ish.

Daren's mom knew we were making the trip but we purposely didn't tell niece Callie just in case something happened and we couldn't make the trip. The kids ended up getting out of school early due to the flooding of roads from the large amounts of rain that had fallen since Thursday. Nephew AJ is too smart for his own good and recognized the North Carolina license plates on the vehicle in the driveway. It was still a good surprise but it would have been funny to see their true reaction walking into Grandma Streett's house and finding Willa.

The weekend was filled with lots of pictures and fun.  I think AJ and Callie realized that Willa is a bit too young to follow directions. Willa pretty much does the opposite of what you want her to do but it didn't stop them from trying.

We made the obligatory trip to Brown's Orchard and to the Amish market. Sadly, it was pouring rain on Friday so we didn't get to take pictures with the pumpkins at Brown's. Also, the Amish were on holiday so the market was a bit quiet. Good thing Daren and I could still get a pretzel sandwich. Yum!

Sending Love!

Size 2

No, I have yet to get back to my pre-pregnacy size 2 pants (insert belly laughing). Actually, it is Willa who is in size 2 diapers! We upped the size about a week ago and have not had an issue with leaking. The range for size 2 diapers is 12-18 pounds. Currently, Willa is 14lb 8oz (gained one pound in a month) so I estimate she will be in size 3's by June. Daren is bit more optimistic and thinks March.

Last Wednesday we had a follow up appointment with the GI folks, speech and nutrition. The GI appointment was easy. No changes with the reflux med, allergy med (for appetite stimulation), or formula. We are to continue with the current game plan and they are happy with her weight gain.

We had a second visit with the speech doctors. We were given some "homework" three weeks ago and I pretty much ignored their suggestions. I'm not sure I agree with their assessment of Willa's eating habits but they have the medical degree...not me. We have some experimenting to do -
Video Willa taking a bottle with a #4 nipple
Video Willa taking a bottle with a #3 nipple
Thicken the formula with cereal and feed her using a cup while supporting her jaw
Use a chew tube to practice biting and chewing
Practice drinking with the regulated flow cup
I'm also going to be contacting Early Intervention to see if they have a specialist who can come to daycare for therapy sessions. Just a reminder, this falls under the scope of speech but we are using it for feeding assistance. Willa is still eating baby food and meltable baby puffs. It is estimated she is still a few months out from being able to eat table food. Daren gets his wish that Willa won't partake in the practice of a smash cake for her first birthday.

The last person we saw on Wednesday was the nutritionist. Nothing exciting besides the fact we are not starting whole milk because it is lower in calories than formula.  Time to start pricing out the toddler formula.

New Tricks

It seems like Willa is doing something new about every other day. This video shows a few new tricks-

"Drinking" from a sippy cup. This one is still a work in progress

Spinning in circles while seated. Daren mentioned that she might have picked this one up from baby Jamison at daycare.

Crawling. I can't remember the last time we saw her army crawl.

Playing peek a boo either with her hands or a burp cloth. I apologize for me sounding ridiculous over and over again. Babies have this effect on adults.

Stairs

Our daughter is quite the daredevil. Evidently she thinks she can fly from her technique of going down the stairs. Daycare Sharon already let me know that PT wants to teach Willa to go down the stairs during the appointment next week. Also, two apologies for this video. First, the fact Daren has you looking sideways. Second, that I am sporting the latest in pajama fashion.

Eleven Month Pictures

Her Closet Door Wasn't Closed

Willa doesn't miss an opening. That could be a door, a laptop, or a crumb of food on the ground (which leads to choking).  There are certain doors which need to stay closed because the rooms are not kid appropriate. Downstairs, these rooms are the office and the pantry. I think Willa senses when the doors are open and she is off like a shot. Also, she is pretty good at maneuvering a door open if it isn't fully closed. See the picture to the right of her unpacking some diapers.

Daren can no longer relax on the couch while working on his laptop. Willa wants the laptop and screams until she gets it. Granted, I think the laptop envy sped up her ability to stand.

It is rare there is food on the ground at our house. However, we did have friends over two weeks ago and their son snacks on cheerios. Willa snagged a dropped cheerio and I was hopeful it would go well. It did not. Impromptu bath. Thankfully, the blueberry, pear, purple carrot didn't stain her white outfit. We don't hold the cheerio against RJ because he brought Willa flowers. Such a gentleman at 13 months.

We took over 100 pictures on Saturday morning for Willa's 11 month pictures. I've second guessed which ones to share at least five times. My baby is just way too cute and I'm way too good with the camera.