Maida-to-date

Maida is getting so old! Her new favorite thing to do is to climb on all the boxes that mommy has packed so far. She can climb as high as the boxes are piled, and can even get right back down. She says, "Box, box!" over and over while she's busy climbing. She actually tries to imitate a lot of the words we say to her now. She shakes her head "no" to any question you ask her, even if she means "yes". She can feed herself with a spoon or fork and use a big girl cup (no sippy)! The other night she had her first Chinese food and LOVED it! She also loves to be outside and explore. She never cries, even when she falls down super-duper hard. She says "hi" and waves to anyone out in public and will sit on anyone's lap. However, if mommy or daddy go out of sight, she gets really sad (separation anxiety). The only place she'll stay without mom or dad is in Sunday School, which she LOVES, or with Grandma and Bumpa! She understands more and more of what we say to her. I can say, "Go get a book to read," and she'll go get a book. She still loves to wear shoes or socks and was so happy to go shoe shopping with daddy last week! She loves to have campfires with mommy and daddy and likes to remind us the entire time that the fire is "hot". Her hair is VERY curly, especially when it's humid. We got a new jogging stroller and she likes to go fast with daddy. Her best friend is Barkley! and they play all the time. She sleeps between 10 and 12 hours every night and is doing a great job of trying to fall asleep without a bottle. She is all done with bottles during the day, only one at night before bed (sometimes). She is totally on whole-milk now, which she loves, but only if it's warm. She has troubles with constipation, but enjoys drinking prune juice, so it all works out in the end. Her rash is still pretty bad, but we have an appointment with two dermatologists next week that will put their thoughts together and try to come up with a diagnosis. We are also scheduled to see an allergist for a two hour allergy test. Hopefully we'll get some answers, though the rash doesn't slow her down. She is walking and running all over the place, and because of all the extra exercise, she is really slimming down. She can actually wear some of the clothes again that she already grew out of. She still loves animals and will do her animal sounds for anyone. She loves to be counted with and will point to her piggies as you count, as if to count each one. When she gets mad, she throws temper tantrums, but mom has her sit down and counts with her and then she calms down. She loves to dance and sing, her favorite show is American Idol. She learned how to turn the TV off and on and loves to push buttons of any kind. She carries around mom or dad's cell phone all day long and will put it up to her ear and say, "Hi!". She is a very busy kid and won't sit still long enough to read a whole book. She loves to read, though! Books are her favorite. So are dolls. She has a doll with her at all times and will pat the doll on the back, put it in the stroller or bed, and give it the pacifier. She can spot a baby a mile away in the store and will point, jump up and down, and say, "Ma ma! Ma ma!" She's a very girlie-girl and loves purses, having her toe nails painted, and wearing jewelry. Daddy has taught her how to kick a soccer ball and she can almost dribble it across the floor. She also has a pretty good arm and can throw Barkley!'s ball for him. She loves to give kisses and hugs and is so full of love. She is so darn perfect and we are so thankful for her.