Watch Her Grow...

This Week's Focus: Language and Independence
Sorry for no photos again!  I've been having issues uploading photos, maybe I'll try again tomorrow!

  Interactions with Materials

• Q-ball is again covered with temporary tattoos- 3 at the moment, I think.  She loves these things.
• Apparently, Q-ball knew that last weekend was Orthodox Easter because when Daddy asked her what she wanted to do with the afternoon, she said, "Easter egg hunt."  So, I dug out the Easter eggs (which I had just recently been able to pack away!)

Interactions with Others 

• Q-ball had her best babysitting expereince last night.  This time her friends' mother came over to visit, and, while she was very nervous about us leaving, when we got home, she said she didn't want to stop playing and didn't want her caretaker to leave.  This makes me leave much better about future separations as we still have a few birth classes to go, and Daddy and I are going on a date next week!  (I think we've been on 3 in the past 25 months, so it's quite a change!)
• I've haven't mentioned it here, but one of Q-ball's favorite games in the past few weeks has been "follow-the-leader," in which she, of course, is the leader.  I'm told to stand up and sit down and stand up and sit down over there and stand up and sit down over here for a very, very long time.

Interactions with Life 

• We are certainly experiencing the importance toddler routines. I have to be careful to help her put on her clothes in the same order, make sure I turn off the lights before closing a closet door (rather than after the door is already closed), and getting into the carseat can be very tricky, especially as we haven't really figured out what the routine is.

We are linking up with Vibrant Wanderings!  Check out what other kiddos are up to this week!

The Social Patterns of a Two-Year Old

  While I was studying child development, I was fascinated by the research of Arnold Gesell, so I was excited when I discovered that the Gesell Institute of Human Development has a series of books that describe your child year by year. When Q-ball turned one, I posted one of my favorite bits from the book here, and at 18 months, I shared Gesell's theory of disequilbrium. (If you're still following links, here's my overview of Gesell's research.) As I just completed, Your Two-Year-Old, I wanted to again share my favorite figure what that book. 
   Using long-term observations, the Gesell Institute determined that at two-years-old, a child is much more likely to talk to adults than to other children.  In these interactions, the two-year-old will likely use two or three word phrases rather than single-word sentences. However, the youngster is still certainly controlling the conversation- choosing to not always answer when the adult addresses him or just repeating the adult's original comment.  If a two-year-old does speak to someone else his age, the conversation is typically an attempt to maintain control over his space or stuff- "no, mine!" or "me want ball."  While his verbalization is increasing overall, this is the last year of life that a child is more likely to say "no" through motor behavior rather than verbally.  When given a request that he simply does not wish to follow, he may just walk away, look away, or continue to play. 
   All this being said, the two-year-old's favorite person to talk to is himself!  This makes sense given that these little ones are still firmly in their egocentric phase.  This self-talk is often easily observed during independent play, especially imaginary play.  At times, this self-talk may move towards an adult when the child wants to brag about all of his accomplishments- cleaning up by himself, feeding his own bear, or using the toilet alone. 

What's your two-year-old talking about?

Watch Her Grow...

This Week's Focus: Language and Emotional Regulation

  Interactions with Materials

• No big changes on her likes and dislikes- stuffed animals for pretend play, puzzles, musical instruments.
• We are fortunate to have very supportive family members who often send photos of themselves to us as we do not live close by.  Q-ball loves these pictures!  I hang them on the refrigerator, and she often stands in front of them, naming everyone in the photos, and laughing at any stories she can recall.  She'll choose a few photos and carry them around the house with her or take in a car or stroller ride.

Interactions with Others 

• I am incredibly happy to announce that Q-ball's babysitting went very well last week!  Of course, the initial separation was difficult, and she continually stated that she wanted, "Mama and Daddy stay home!"  Apparently the first 30 minutes were rough, but then she was able to make some of Grandma's rolls with her sitter, play at a park, and continue some physical play at home.  When Mama and Daddy came home, she was so excited, it was hard to calm her down!  I don't expect our next separations to be problem-free, but I'm much more confident! 

Critical Thinking

• This week Q-ball experimented with the words "might" and "maybe."  It's funny to hear her use the words- not because she uses them incorrectly, but because she sounds so grown up!  Daddy was reading a book with her the other day and was trying to make a small object in one of the pictures, and Q-ball stated, "It might be a train."  Or, when I was looking for yet another lost object in the car the other day, she said, "Maybe it's in Mama's pocket."

Interactions with Life 

• Q-ball had a very exciting weekend- she was able to watch her Daddy in an obstacle-course race.  While we were watching, she was clearly a bit confused about all the fuss, and was very confused about why she couldn't go swimming in all the water.  We thought her favorite part of the day was getting to ride a "skool bus."  But, by the next day, she was gleefully re-telling stories of the day about Daddy "jump in ice water" and "getting muddy dirty!" 
• At nearly 22 weeks of pregnancy, I believe that I have stopped producing milk.  Q-ball seems to be taking it in stride. So far, she still tries to nurse, but gives up very quickly unless she is comfort nursing after dealing with some tough emotions.  Her nursing has declined in recent months, and some days she only nurses 3 or 4 times, so we'll see how this affects things.
• She continues to be very excited about the baby coming.  When we were loading up to go to Daddy's race, with all of the excitement and differences in our travel (we got to each a special breakfast in the car!), she concluded that the "baby come out of Mama's tummy."  A bit more time still!

We are linking up with Vibrant Wanderings!  Check out what other kiddos are up to this week!

Watch Her Grow...

This Week's Focus: Language and Emotional Regulation

  Interactions with Materials

• Q-ball remains very interested in pretend play.  Her animals tend to do everything she does around the house. It's really fun to watch, especially when she is clearly having a great time with the games.  She often will just start laughing by herself in the midst of play.
• Puzzles also continue to keep her attention.  On a recent trip to visit family, she enjoyed playing with a puzzle that allowed her to use a fishing pole to pick up all of the pieces with her great-grandfather.

Interactions with Others 

• Tonight marks another period of separation for Q-ball.  A family friend will again come and play with her while Mama and Daddy are out.  The parents are again very nervous about the separation, and from the conversations I've had with Q-ball, I think she's in denial.  Hopefully, she'll soon learn to have fun without Mama or Daddy.

  

  I entered the living room one day and found Q-ball had set this up to read to her rabbits.

  
  

Critical Thinking

• This age is wonderful as we can now have full conversations with Q-ball.  She is really enjoying making analogies, comparing behavior between Mama or Daddy, or explaining that her stuffed animals are doing things just like her.  I'm constantly amazed at the connections made.

Interactions with Life 

• She is now in the full blown "do-it-herself" phase.  I have added about 20-30 minutes unto each planned outing as this is how long it takes to get her to get herself into her shoes, carseat, close her own car door, etc, etc.  Or, calm down any tantrum that is caused by my ill-timed assistance.  "No, no- me!" is the most common phrase in the house right now.  Last night, she was actually saying this in her sleep.
• As she is trying to work through emotions that are much bigger than she is, she is very observant of others' emotions.  She'll often watch me and say, "Mama happy" or "Mama mad" (it happens...), or watch a crying baby and say, "baby sad."

 An Announcement
    In other news in Q-ball's life, she is very excited to be expecting a new baby brother in late August or early September.  She loves reading books about new babies and is very excited about explaining how she is going to help Mama with the baby and that she is ready to share so many things with the baby (her water, her clothes, her potty.)  Hopefully, she's able to hold on to the excitement for another 4 and a half months!