Almost a Toddler

I can't believe that in less than a month my little girl will be one!  Wow did this year fly!

Since I haven't done a very good job of writing since school has started, here are some things that have been going on recently:

1) Rylan just got her sixth tooth.  It is on the bottom left.  The top tooth on the cleft side never came in and I'm assuming it won't since its "partner" tooth has been there for months and she is now getting the next set on the bottom.  I'm certainly not surprised by this and know we have a long rode ahead of us with the orthodontist and oral surgeon.

2) Rylan can now climb stairs and is very good at it.  Since we don't have stairs in our house, she has never really tried them.  This weekend we were at her aunt and uncles house and she went right up them without any problem.

3) Her first word is now officially "mama".  She sure knows how to put a smile on Mommy's face!

4) She has taken 5 steps by herself at one time.  Most of the time it is just 1 or 2 and then she falls, but we're making progress.  She is very good at standing up without using anything for assistance and will hopefully be a decent walker by her birthday party.

5) Rylan recently found some pacifiers in a basket in the room and she really likes them.  Looks like we will have the only 1 year old to become addicted to a pacifier.  

Here are some pics and videos from the last few weeks.  Isn't she getting so old?

Up on her Feet

Standing has now become second nature and Rylan is starting to walk around with the help of people or other objects.  I'm just waiting for the moment where she suddenly lets go and takes those first exciting steps!

10 1/2 Months!

Wow!  Life is sure crazy when you've got a little one and go back to work.  Rylan has been doing well at day care and this week she actually hasn't cried once while there.  Last week was a different story, so hopefully we're turning over a new leaf.  She is starting to talk more and make "m" and "b" sounds, along with her other strange "wookie" noises and raspberries.  She is standing easily and cruising around.  Tonight she actually walked across the room holding my hands with very little pushing from me.  Maybe seeing all of the other walkers at day care has motivated her to start trying it on her own. 

Rylan had her first swim lesson on Saturday and loved it!  She is such a water rat like her Mommy!  The video below shows her enjoying herself and towards the end she sticks her face in (which she did like 10 times during the lesson).  

I'll try to write more often in the future, but no promises! :)

Surviving Daycare

It has been three days and Rylan and I are both surviving her being in school.  The first day went pretty well, but then yesterday she was really fussy.  They called me because they thought she might have an ear infection (she was grabbing her ear and screaming) but then last night she never touched her ear once and was fine.  Maybe a tooth is coming in or she was just in a bad mood.  I gave her some Motrin this morning, just in case, and she seemed to have another good day.  Apparently she doesn't really like when the other kids get in her space, but loves all of the new toys.  I like going every day and getting her little report card of what they did.  This week is called "Farewell Friends" and they are working on waving good bye, so all of the activities and books focus on leaving or saying good bye.  It is really cute.  We even got her first art project, a little stuffed snake covered in paint dots.  How you get a 9 month old to put paint on anything is beyond me, but it is still cute even if she didn't do much.  I am feeling more comfortable as each day goes and I hope she is feeling the same way.  At least she doesn't cry when I bring her in the morning, so it must not be too bad!

Getting So Big

We had another appointment with Dr. Morrissey this week.  When we got there, he was stuck in surgery so I had to distract Rylan in the waiting room for over an hour.  She did really well though and was the entertainment for everyone else waiting to see the doctor.  He said that her lip is looking good and that we need to just keep massaging it to help it relax.  He wants to see us again in October to keep track of her healing.  It really is amazing how different she looks now.  We were watching home videos at my parents this weekend from when she was born and I forgot just how wide her cleft was at first.  You certainly would never know if you saw her today.

Not too much else going on in our household right now.  Rylan is still standing a lot but seems to have no desire to walk yet.  She starts day care on Monday so I'm sure I'll post next week about that traumatic experience!

Here are some recent videos and pics for those who haven't seen her:

Fun in my tunnel

Go Reading Phils!

My serious look

Hi Mommy!

 

Standing all by myself

My new trick - Shaking my head "no"

Little Swimmer

Rylan is getting herself ready for swim lessons in the fall!  She must have stuck her face in five or six times yesterday and while she had a surprised look every time, it didn't seem to bother her. 

9 Month Check-up

Today we went to the pediatrician for Rylan's 9 month appointment and she gets another good bill of health.  She is 15 lbs. 4 oz. (only the 5th percentile this time) and 25 1/4 inches long.  The doctor still isn't concerned about her weight since she is eating fine and making all of her developmental milestones.  Looks like she is just going to be one petite girl.  

Things have been going very well here and we've got 3 new big events to share! First, I think I am finally getting Rylan on a napping schedule.  The last two days she has taken both of her naps in her crib with only minimal crying before falling asleep.  She has been sleeping for longer than she used to which has been great for me.  It is nice to finally be able to get her to sleep without her bottle. 

The next big thing is that she is getting her 4th tooth.  It is coming in in the part of her gums that were visible before her cleft was closed.  It seems to be coming in pretty straight and right in the middle, so maybe her teeth won't be too affected.  

Finally, Rylan is starting to stand on her own for a few seconds at a time.  It is usually just a second or two where she lets go (as you can see in the video) but the other day she stood for a full five seconds before falling back down!  Yeah Rylan!