Moving to Alaska

In case you haven't heard, we are moving to Alaska! Jethro got a job as a middle school principal up there. You can follow the journey here: http://wearedrivingtoalaska.com 

12 months

Notes:

• still loves to army crawl
• switches between army crawling and regular crawling
• watching people run makes her laugh
• loves the attention from her siblings
• loves going into the bathroom
• Squeals with delight when she washes her hands.
• Loves pulling all the wipes out of the wipes cases.
• Says Dada when Jethro walks in the door.
• Cries when Jethro leaves for work.
• Loves her issies.
• Starting to wear 18 month clothing.
• Loves to dance to the Dora guitar.

Stats:
  23 pounds 15 ounces
  29 3/4 inches long

Katya's in First Grade

Katya starts school Tuesday. She'll be going all day long, and I hope she does well. I am sure she will be totally exhausted by the end of the day.

Tonight, I gave her a blessing and during it, I said something about her being in 1st grade. As soon as I said "1st Grade" she said, "Yes" and did a little fist pump. It was so cute.

She is so excited for school to start again. With her being in a smaller-sized cluster class, she has really benefited from a lot of attention at school. She loves getting attention. Even though she pretends that she is shy, she totally loves it.

I am most anxious about her at recess and lunch. I am afraid that she won't eat her food, and will just want to go out and play. Then she will get hungry and not be able to learn. I am also anxious that she will not do well at recess. She does like to run away, and if she sees a bird on the playground, she may go after it, regardless of how far away it goes. I am sure they will have aides go out with her and her classmates so they stay safe, especially at the beginning.

And, of course, I always worry about how people will treat her. She won't know anyone there, and I don't think that is too big a deal for her since she is so social, but I still worry about it.

11 months

Notes

• Army crawling maniac! 
• Favorite place to get into are the bathrooms. You can book it like crazy to there if you know the door is open.
• Developing a scary fascination with the stairs.
• Starting to get on your hands and knees and rock back and forth.
• Says ma-ma, da-da, uh-oh.
• Waves, prays, signs 'more'.
• Loves to dance to music, esoecially on Cali's Dora guitar.
• Always laughs a cute excited laugh when daddy walks in.
• Loves to put everything in your mouth.
• Laughs often.
• Loves to be picked up and carried.

10 months

Notes

• Starting to army crawl
• Such a sweet smiley baby
• Loves your naps
• Not too interested in people food anymore
• Loves to be around her siblings and hates being left alone
• Gets picked on by other babies and that usually makes her pretty sad
• Still pretty particular that she gets her bottle right when she wakes up in the morning.
• No longer wakes up at 3 or 4 for a bottle. (Yes!)
• Doesn't like to sit still.
• Not too much a fan of the jumperoo.
• Refuses to stand.

9 months

Notes:

• Rolling manic. You love laying on the floor and rolling all around. You are getting good at rolling to the things you want.
• Tried finger food and really seem to like bread and pancakes.
• Not really liking the jumperoo lately. 
• Had an ear infection and having medicine for it helped you sleep through the night and sleep in. Now that you are better, you are back to not really sleeping.
• Loving being around people and hate being left alone.
• You are sleeping great in your crib for naps now.
• We switched you to a bigger carseat because you outgrew your infant one.
• Love being sung to.
• Pulls a super cute shy routine when anyone talks to you. You turn and hide your face and smile.

8 months

Notes:

• You have figured out the whole rolling thing and spend your days and nights flopping back and forth.
• You love your Jumperoo.
• Sleeping all the way through the night is difficult. You usually wake for a bottle between 2-4, but will drink it and go back to sleep.
• Has turned into a flopping fish in the back. Flips back and forth and back and forth during her whole bath. She loves it!
• Still struggles with the sitting up by herself thing. So close.
• Has pretty much outgrown her carseat. The strap won't loosen any more.
• Gives huge smiles and laughs when she sees Tenzing after waking up in the morning or after naps. She really loves her brother!
• Wears size 12 month clothes and 18 month onesies.
• Loves going outside.
• Loves seeing Grandpa and enjoys sitting with him at church.
•  Seriously such a happy baby.
• She loves everyone and has a very sweet disposition.