The Chandler Family: November 2012

We had a nice Saturday together just me, Adam, and the kids at our house most of the day just hanging out. We took family pictures with the Day's in the morning, those pictures to come. Then we had all afternoon to bum around at home, play together, go on a walk, take naps, and for me to get Rachel's birthday cake ready. It was one of those heaven on earth kind of days.

RACHEL IS 1 YEAR OLD!!!

A few noteable items.

She says, "hi, baba (bottle) bye bye, mama, dada, Dayday (dayton) dank do (thank you), uh oh, and no no!" Great vocabulary!

She falls and bonks her head a lot. She is in that toddler phase for sure.

She is back on formula. After trying to switch her to real milk and sour diapers, poopy messes, and lots of crying I decided to put her back on formula. I am wondering if she is allergic to milk?

She eats awesome, unless her teeth hurt. She loves chicken nuggets, yogurt, green beans, string cheese, juice, sweet cereal, oatmeal, pretzels, noodles (sometimes) and rice.

She has two teeth that have just barely come through one on the bottom left and one on the top left. She is a slow teether but she has 3 total right now.

She walks like a pro and does the stairs with no problem. She does not know how to go down them yet and she is cautious and has never attempted them because she knows she will fall. She typically sits at the top of the stairs and squeals when she wants to come down.

She is not a cryer. When she wakes up from nap or in the morning she sits in her crib and plays nice for a long time. Usually until she messes her pants and then she will start hollering for me. Even then, rarely are there tears. (Note: opposite of Dayton)

Still not a huge snuggler, she likes to be laid down to put herself to sleep.

She LOVES babies and books. She walks around squeezing and kissing (slobbering) on her baby dolls. She always finds books and will sit and turn the pages on her own and carry them around. It is so cute!

Rachel is doing 100% better at being left with people and she actually goes to most people she has seen before easily. Her personality is coming out more and more. She is lovely, happy, nice, friendly, and a bit more reserved than Dayton. But that isn't saying much Dayton would go with a complete stranger because he is that outgoing and trusting. Sometimes that is good and sometimes that scares me. :)

She weighs 22 pounds and wears 18 month clothes, size 3 shoes, and size 3 diapers.

She still loves her binki and that is okay with us for a little longer.
Doctor Firth was very complimentary of her and said she is EXTREMELY advanced. He told me, "I know you think I tell this to every mother, but I don't. She is very advanced and way above what is expected at age 1." That made me feel good!

STATS:
Weight: 22.6 lbs. 69%
Height: 31 inches 92%
Head: 81.1 inches 72%

She was NOT happy about her shots this time, 3 in each legs is just too many pokes. However, a sucker calmed her down quickly. :)

So without further adu, RACHEL in her birthday outfit!!!

Saturday night while everyone was in town visiting I had Rachel's first birthday party! Crazy, right? She is already 1 year old! WOW!!!! Her party was lady bug themed including black,red, and white balloons that were the hit of the night for the kids. Rachel did WAY better at opening her presents than Dayton did at 1 year. She knew how to do it and she was a champ! She was not as interested in her gifts as much as the balloons and the tissue paper though. I guess that is to be expected. Now that the balloons are gone and the wrapping paper cleaned up she LOVES her gifts. Here is a picture of her presents below but the cozy coupe car from Grandma Sue is not in it.

Many party pictures! Enjoy!

BALLOONS!

Balls in a can from Jared and Nate.

Big soft singing ball that Rach loves to dance to and carry around from Lisa and Cord.

Baby doll from Me and Adam. She loved it, especially because it makes noises.

Opening her present from Grandma and Grandpa Day. It was a pillow that matches her quilt and another baby. My Mom does such a good job on the kids quilts and pillows. Dayton's are his favorite things to sleep with.