Dare Devil!

Finn has started to develop her dare-devil side. Climbing up on the chairs or couch isn’t good enough for her anymore. No. Now, she has to climb on the chairs, then climb on the end tables to go to the other chair, or to the couch. Or, she has to bring a toy that she can stand on so she can be tall enough to climb on to the coffee table. We get after her for this, but it becomes a game to her, naturally. Every time we tell her no, she laughs and giggles and goes right back to doing it. After the third time, we take whatever object she has been using as a ladder and move it away so she can no longer stand on it for leverage. She then finds the next best thing. It is really a never ending process with that kid. She has no fear. She stands up in the chairs, she ups and down, she leans over as far as she can over the edge. I think Shannon and I have had near heart-attacks because of her shenanigans. She is very clever and knows darn well what she is doing, but she still scares us! We can’t take our eyes off of her for very long, or she will do something that will probably traumatize her, or us, for life.

Every day has an exciting new adventure. It could be a new flavor being introduced (fajitas), or a new game (silicone measuring cups stick really well to baby heads), or a new outfit (hand-me-downs are the best), or a new movie (anything with music). Anything different or new is amazingly exciting for her, and leads to minutes of entertainment for all of us. Yes, only minutes. She is still just a little one, and even if we just get minutes of entertainment, we will take it!

Finny has found her giggle, and every time she does it, she makes my heart soar. It is just uninhibited laughter from her little belly, and her cheeks squish up and her all teeth show, and her eyes squint and her nose wrinkles. It is the most adorable face I have ever seen, and the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. It is much better than the high-pitched glass-breaking screech that she pulls out of nowhere. That will make your ears bleed, let me tell you.

Sleeping in her crib has still been difficult for her. She was fine for a long time when she was first born, and then we traveled a few months ago. When we came back, she has not wanted to sleep in her own crib. It is interesting because when we were away, she slept in a play-n-pack, so it isn’t like we co-slept with her. She just doesn’t want to be in her room or crib by herself. She will sleep a few hours in there, but once she wakes up, she will not go back to sleep unless she is in bed with us. We need to train her to sleep in her crib, but with both of us working full time, and Shannon starting her new job, and me with my stuff, it is hard to have the energy and want to do it. Plus we really don’t mind snuggling with our little sweetie. But, sleeping would be a lot better for us all. Maybe soon, we will find a way to train us all about non-co-sleeping again. That is for another day.

As for now, Finny is still enjoying her donuts every Saturday at NutCakes, enjoying her visits from her many Aunties who spoil the dickens out of her, enjoying pestering her dogs, enjoying visiting her friends at the Sports Park, and enjoying being the best, most rambunctious little 16-month-old she can be. She is so full of love and life. We count each day as a blessing with our Lil’ Bug.

It's been a while...

I haven’t written on here in a very long time. It hasn’t been for lack of wanting or lack of feeling like it. We have been in the eye of the storm we call “Hurricane Finnian” for a while now, so there you have it. We really wouldn’t change a thing, though, so bear with me.

So last we checked in, she was eight months old and had her first tooth. Fast-forward to almost 16 months old, four teeth on top, five on the bottom and four molars coming in all at once! It has been a nightmare of a few weeks, to be sure. One thing we have discovered is the power of Grape Tylenol. Not Cherry, mind you. Grape. She loves her grape flavored medicine and pretends to put up a fight, but turns her head back (most of the time) to take it all, like the big girl she is.

Finny is a very independent little girl, finding it frustrating when she can’t climb up on the couch or chair without help. She likes to figure things out on her own, and when she does, she looks to anyone around her for approval, smiling and clapping, and expecting others to do the same for her, which we do. How can we resist, really.

Finn has many words, and has even started putting small sentences together to get her points across. Her signing needs work, but that is more our fault than hers. When she is hungry or thirsty, she stands at the gate to the kitchen and makes noise to get our attention, then we follow her and she points to what she wants; either the cabinet for a treat, or the fridge for food or drink.

She loves going to soccer at the park to see all of her friends, big and small. Finny loves her buddies and is always waiting to show off something new that she learned. When we have visitors at our house, she never hesitates to show people a favorite toy or book, or how she can crawl through her tunnels or sit in her chair. Her collection of zoo animals and super heroes are always one of the best things to show people, along with a book or two. Don’t be surprised if you ever come to visit, if you get invited to play with her Little People toys or asked to read her a book.

Finny is an amazing little soul. She is so loving and gentle, with a huge personality already. She will give you a hug or kiss when you want one, or just sit with you when you need company. She is the best at making you giggle, as hers is infectious, and she is always smiling or laughing. Her impromptu dance parties are nothing short of amazing and you can’t help but join in. And then there is her little voice. Even if you can’t understand her, you really can seem to know what she is talking about. She is just brilliant.

Finn has learned many things in her short time on this rock. She knows how to play peak-a-boo, how to put on her shirt, and take it off, how to use a fork (mostly), how to put on a hat, how to change the pictures on my phone, send texts, destroy the living room in three seconds, etc. Today she learned how to turn on a flashlight, which was HUGE! She still needs to learn that the light actually comes FROM the flashlight, and isn’t a separate thing that is on the wall that can be held on to, but we’ll get there. She also knows to answer “no” when asked if she wants to go on a motorcycle ride. She also learned how to steal donuts (something we will not be encouraging). Her fastball needs a little work, but her change-up is right on. I think the Sox should be coming to our door soon to check on their best prospect. They need a good closer after last year’s meltdown. J

Our little girl is growing up so fast. When she was tiny, I remember saying I couldn’t wait for the day that she could walk and hold my hand. Now that she is there, and it is so awesome to have that with her, I kind of miss that tiny little cuddle bug sometimes. But then I look over at that squealing little monster playing with her Little People Garage and licking the dog’s face, and I don’t think I want to go back. There’s so much more to learn and explore together, with us, with our family, with our friends, with everyone who loves our little girl. She is lucky to have them.

And we are all so very lucky to have her.