All About Amelia

Her Saucy Phase.

2012-02-12T20:21:00.000-08:00

Today Amelia was a very giggly girl! She throws herself into each new discovery, her avocado sauce on her breakfast tacos. The ketchup on her chicken strips. The cheesy sauce from her broccoli casserole. Or should I say she throws her discovery? More like flings. Everywhere! Except that small spot under her bib. That is spotless. But her hands, her arms, her face, all covered in sauce. When I try to offer assistance she grins and turns away. She does things herself, her way. My baby enjoys her food. By squishing it with her fingers, painting the table with it, and finally, licking it off her fingers. Foods she had been ignoring for a few weeks, devoured by adding sauces to it. The food is just a vehicle. It's all about inhaling ketchup. Through french fries if necessary, but really, those are optional. It's clear to me: it's a sassy face!

Soup and strawberries

2012-02-11T21:23:00.001-08:00

Today Amelia enjoyed soup! I had never given her baked potato soup and she loved it! So much that she needed to feed herself. She actually did pretty well, especially if you consider she kept the spoon right side down most of the time.
I left a nice tip. Really. I also left behind her bib. I considered leaving her clothes behind but that seemed a bit excessive.
Of course, to wash down that soup she needed a drink. And I don't mean the alcoholic kind I would have liked. Rather that dark bubbly thing mama is drinking... I swear she knows when I'm willing to bend rules in favor of smiles. And oh yeah, she smiled.
For dessert? Chocolate covered strawberries. What's a little sugar? Sleep is overrated and I'm either fearless or just nuts. No response necessary! I think I'll go with sleep deprived. Makes me sound like a better mother.

I can learn!

2012-02-10T18:27:00.000-08:00

Today Amelia made me learn that things change. I don't want to have a house full of child-proofed cabinets. I'd rather teach her some things are not hers. Now I clean mainly with vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. If she gets her little hands on it, it might be unpleasant, but not toxic. I'm so smug about her amazing understanding that I tend to get lulled into complacency. UNTIL she does little things like reach for that bottle WITH A TWIST-ON CAP and oops! Did I think yesterday was a fluke? Hellooo, lady, she's a baby, she doesn't have Alzheimer's! Just as I finished drying her after her bath, too. Did I mention she's growing and her arms have a pretty good reach?
Ahh, the awesome aroma of vinegar. I'm sure I've learned my lesson and I'll keep the vinegar stashed where she can't just unscrew the cap. Maybe I'll even put a lock on the cabinet.

No naps and melty hearts

2012-02-09T17:58:00.000-08:00

Today Amelia melted my heart. After a 4:30 a.m. wake up and non-stop activity because my little energizer bunny decided naps were for babies, I was frankly exhausted and running short on patience. Her smile was suddenly not so cute. And then at 6:30p.m. she reached up with both her chubby little hands, placed one on either side of my face and reached up and hugged me tight. She snuggled her face against my neck and settled in and clung tightly to me. I held on right back, as hard as I could. Wishing I could hold on to her forever. She fell asleep within minutes, still hugging my neck. Still clutching my heart.

Pride and Fear

2012-02-08T20:19:00.000-08:00

Today Amelia had her first visit to the lab to get her blood drawn. I dreaded every mile, wishing I had asked Brandon to take her. She was wonderful. The tech, Anna, was fast and accurate and the pain was over almost as fast and sharply as it began. Amelia was confused, but calm. My heart was still weeping. Once in the car, I sat in the back seat with her, wishing to comfort her. She didn't need it. She was happy. Amelia explored the minivan and found a bottle of water. I asked if she was thirsty and received a fixed stare for my concern. The bottle got shaken and stirred but remained closed. Reluctantly, Amelia handed me the bottle. I opened it and held it to her lips, guiding the bottle as she took control and drank. Hardly any spilled. Yaay. She then handed it back so I obediently screwed the lid closed. Oh-Oh. Amelia tilted her head. I was being observed. Little hands reached for the half-empty bottle. Sitting on my lap, I felt my heart tighten as I remembered her little crying face, the needle flowing with her ruby-red blood, the cotton ball soaked in alcohol and omg she opened the water bottle. My heart sank. She can screw a water bottle cap off and on?? She's only 14 months! Yesterday! I'm not ready to baby-proof water bottles! What can possibly come next? Apparently? Water-boarding. Amelia crowed at her success! Then pushed the bottle at my face, guiding it to my lips like I had with her. And tilted the bottle. I gulped down. Then again. She withdrew the bottle, recapped it and smiled. Much like the Mona Lisa. Or my cat when it knows I can't prove he was prancing on the kitchen counters the second I can't see him. One more time, Amelia unscrewed the water cap and forced me to drink to the very last drop. Never was a mother so proud and so afraid.