Take that, Pinterest!

Today I tried to do a variety pre-writing activities with Hattie. Unfortunately she was not even a little interested. Marking playdough with various instruments, poking toothpicks into things and even coloring-all boring. The most excitement came from throwing the pieces across the floor.

I did manage to scrub the kitchen floor - it was gleaming and free of all thrown food bits for once! And after dinner I brought a couple of plants inside to re-pot. Unfortunately I attempted to carry the pots and Hattie at the same time and disaster struck...but wait! Black dirt on a clean white floor is a perfect canvas for little fingers to make marks in!

Seriously, I didn't even initiate the idea. I was trying to keep her out of the mess when she scooted over and started making little lines in the dirt. So I sighed, then laughed and sat down to finally have some pre-writing play success.

Animals at the Library

The public library hosted some animals from the zoo today. Brilliant, I thought. Hattie loves animals, this will be a summer program activity she can actually enjoy. Unfortunately, the room was packed with kids and we sat far enough back that she couldn't see much, and the presentation was designed for school age kids who get excited about animal trivia, not toddlers who just want to touch and lick things.

Fortunately, her cousins also attended and we had a lovely time looking at truck books and stealing their cars during the presentation. Hattie and her cousin, S, who is just a few months older than her, shared books and held hands on the way home. S is quite possibly the sweetest kid I've ever met.

Hattie & Elliot

I was editing some old drafts and lost the date that I originally wrote this. I think it is from some time in April of 2011...Becky, do you remember when Elliot started drinking from a straw? 

 My very good friend had a baby exactly 17 days before Hattie was born. Becky and I enjoyed being pregnant together and now we are REALLY enjoying our babies together. Our families had a dinner and grocery shopping date last night(you do what you have to do to have a social life, right?) And Hattie and Elliot just STARED at each other. Elliot kept reaching out to touch Hattie's hair and they held hands a couple of times. Mr. Elliot has started leaning on his hand to sit unassisted for a few minutes, which we were VERY proud of! He's been eating cereal for a couple of weeks, and last night Becky and her hubby were buying avocados and sweet potatoes to start doing some baby-led solids this week. Hattie was quite jealous of Elliot's diverse diet, but I asked her to be patient. She agreed and went back to her Hattie Snacks.

At the end of our date, Elliot was reaching for a cup of water. Becky let him chew on the straw and...HE DRANK IT! Of course it was immediately spit out, but it was still fun.I love watching the two of them meeting milestones and look forward to them growing up together.

About a month ago I posted about teething. According to this photo, Hattie's lower central incisors and upper right central incisor are fully erupted. Her upper left central incisor, lower lateral incisors and upper left canine are all partially erupted-7 teeth exposed to the air!

Yesterday Hattie was very irritable and there was a lot of biting going on. Upon investigation this morning, Hattie has 3 white, swollen areas on her gums, so I believe that both her upper lateral incisors and her upper right canine are all preparing to erupt.

I'm excited that she'll have 10 of her baby teeth by the end of this round, and hopeful that she'll continue to get new teeth monthly until we're done. I am impatient for her to be able to eat a wider variety of (non-pureed or overcooked) foods. At the same time, I'm a little stressed out. These days before the teeth actually erupt seem to be the most painful to her and we are both not quite ourselves during teething days.

Thankfully, Chris was able to rock Hattie to sleep last night after a few failed nursing attempts and a long walk that did not result in any sweet dreams.