Just Right

15 month stats:

Weight- 20lbs 13oz (40th%ile)

Height- 31in (60th%ile)

Head- 80th%ile

She's right where she needs to be :)

I asked about the talking because even though she can say around 15 words, I really expect that she can carry on a conversation and am surprised she can't. The Dr said that from what she sees by how inquisitive she is and how she absorbs everything (including saying all those words) she thinks Frannie is actually advanced for her age. That made me feel better....because anyone who spends time with her agrees that it just SEEMS like she should tell you about her day.

If she was able to tell you about her day today, it may involve swearing at me or calling me incompetent as I put her little camp chair on a not totally flat part of the driveway and when I went inside for five seconds, she fell, rolled backward and hit her head. It's her first real injury (aka blood) and she did NOT like it. Oh did I (and still do) feel awful.

The weirdest thing happened this weekend. Friday all three of us got to be together since Brian was off, so we went to the aquarium, went for a hike, and did some quick shopping. We got to see Erika and Nick (they were up for Grandmas weekend), and then Frannie and I headed to Hayward Saturday. We hung out with Meemaw (where it was 20 degrees warmer) and with Grampa and all was good. Then Sunday Frannie woke up and BAM- she looked different. Like her face/head changed overnight. Noticeably. She suddenly looks SO much older. Thankfully my mom noticed right away too. So weird. 

It fits though....she is doing/saying/learning new stuff every day and it's amazing. She loves giving hugs, and will out of the blue run over and kiss my leg/hand/whatever. She pats you to make you feel better and is developing a really fun sense of humor. Although, she is getting good at saying no and it does make her laugh when I trip or something (I'm certain Brian has something to do with that).... :)

We're In

Over two years have gone by since I've called a place home. I am finally able to call a place home again. This past Memorial Day weekend we moved into the basement of our house. This is the 8th place I've lived in two years. Let's list them just for fun beginning May 2012. Kate's, Dad's, a tent, a camper, our neighbors, Dad's again, Kate's again, Sarah's, Homecroft, and now here. I think I'll write a book (maybe it'll be a best seller and then I could actually live in the WHOLE house, not just the basement).

Frannie has of course taken this all in stride and has already settled into the new space. She LOVES the woods and all the stuff to check out on our land. We've already gotten a little routine of walking to get the mail. Our driveway is long but it takes us quite awhile to get to the mailbox and back with all the stops to play in the sand, play with sticks, throw rocks in the stream, and pick leaves. She's very good at all her animal sounds, can point to her belly/nose/toes/eyes/mouth, and her current favorite past time is waving and saying "Hi" to everyone, including all moving vehicles even when we are in the car. In the store she'll be in the cart waving at every shopper and saying hi. She's a riot. Today she was coughing after trying to drink out of a glass (I've been trying to teach her to put her hands over her head to stop the cough) and she sets down the cup and puts her hands over her head. She's like a sponge absorbing everything....amazing.

Mother's Day

Frannie knew it was Mother's Day on Sunday so she woke up at 5:30 just to spend as much time together as possible. Kidding aside, we had a really great day as a little family. The three of us went out to breakfast which was not only delicious, but it's a laid back kid-friendly spot so Frannie could run around a bit too. Then we went to the beach to play in the sand and enjoy the sun (it has been a rare occurrence the last month). It was too nice to go home so we went for a hike and played in the grass and rocks. The only bad part of this seemingly perfect day was when Frannie was holding a "rock" and went to put it in her mouth when we discovered it was actually a dog turd. I'm gagging again as I type it. SO GROSS. I wiped her down (ok wiped isn't the right word - scrubbed) with baby wipes and sprayed her down with hand sanitizer. Yuck yuck yuck. She found this whole thing, especially my screams, very amusing.

To cap off the day I was able to go thrifting for a few hours....by myself! Papa Murphy's pizza for dinner and chocolate chip cookies for dessert, Happy Mother's Day to me.

Toddler

When I look at Frannie now, I see a toddler. Her face looks older, she runs around, and you can just see her brain soaking in everything. She is still a super picky eater-not that she only eats certain foods, but that one day she'll eat five strawberries and the next day she will spit them out like they are the most disgusting thing ever. We've gotten rid of the lunchtime bottle so we're down to the morning and night ones. I'm not looking forward to getting rid of those....the morning one should be ok but that "nite nite" bottle....ugh. 

She's trying out new words. Last night she said "eese" for cheese and she is starting to use the sign for thank you. She has totally figured out "please" and she'll keep rubbing her belly asking even when I say no - pretty cute.

And the new fun outside is that she's discovered rocks. She LOVES throwing them in water. We went to the beach this weekend and just sat on the sand for almost an hour playing with sticks and rocks. Her Meemaw couldn't be happier :)

Nature Girl

I am a believer that talking to Frannie about my hopes, dreams, and expectations for her while in utero has really paid off. She's really sticking to the plan. What I didn't bargain for (or make clear during those 9 months) was her taking the hope of "loving the outdoors" to an extreme. The wonder of being able to walk coupled with it finally being nice enough to go outside without getting frostbite has her hooked. She stands at the door crying to get out and getting her back inside if she's not ready? Forget about it. I was pretty sure social services was going to be called the other night the way she screamed when I tried to bring her inside. She loves listening to and watching birds and attempts to make bird calls which is hilarious...especially her crow imitation. Her absolute favorite however is walking through and splashing in puddles. She heads straight for any puddle the minute you set her free. I found some baby Bogs so her feet don't get soaked everyday. That way she can be just like her mom :)

Walking

She's full out walking now. We call it a zombie walk because one arm is out in front and the other is out to the side and she'll go pretty fast then slow down then wobble then speed forward again. But make no mistake, she's fully mobile now-and quite pleased with herself as well.

Walking apparently makes her think she can do/have anything she wants because she is VERY vocal (I'd say she's yelling at the person) when she wants something and she's thwarted. Her eyebrows knit together, brow furrows, eyes squint and she yells, "Memememe" which I think means "mean mean mean". :) Sometimes along with that comes slamming hands down and kicking feet. I thought this didn't happen til age 2. I guess I said I wanted a smart, strong, independent woman.....

We've been doing more sledding since this is the winter that never ends. Also she got some PlaySilk scarf things from Uncle Ben that she's been enjoying. Books are still a favorite and now she'll look at them in the car (I hope she can continue that as she gets older....I love reading in the car but some of the fam gets carsick). 

Finally some other big news.....she's attempting to use a spoon!! It's not pretty but I'm so happy to see her try.

One Year Stats

Right on track said the Dr at Frannie's one year visit. She's 29.5 in long (60th%ile) and weighs 19 lbs 10 oz (50th%ile). Her head is still solidly in the 90th%ile. I knew her head got bigger because I couldn't fit some of her shirts over that noggin without stretching them a bit :)

So all is well....next visit is at 15 months in June.