It is truly amazing how quickly time passes and how quickly my baby is becoming a little girl.
Andi's vocabulary amazes me. She is a little sponge, always listening, always paying attention. I do not think there are any words that she cannot say or does not know. Last night my checkbook just happened to be sitting on the coffee table and Uncle Shawn pointed to it and asked Andi what it was. She clearly said, “checkbook.” We thought we maybe heard her wrong so he asked again, “checkbook.” How does she know that?! Just shows that she is always paying attention, watching, listening, learning! Andi very rarely uses one word when talking. She puts everything she says into a sentence. She loves to say, “Everybody…(fill in the blank)clap your hands, put on shoes, kick a tree,” or whatever it is she wants everybody to do. So clever! She also says, “Hmmm…let me see.” She says this when you ask her a question that she has to think about before answering. Andi likes to tell me or Dave before leaving for work, “Have a good day!” Precious! She knows where we are going because she will say, “Mommy? Go to work?” I will reply, “Yes, Baby. Mommy is going to work and Andi gets to play with Nana or Andi gets to go to school today.” She understands every bit of what I tell her. Today instead of saying “bye-bye” she said “adios.” Nana said again, “Good-bye, Andi.” Andi closed the door and said, “Adios.” Wow! Maybe I need to use a few more Spanish phrases around my little sponge so she can be bilingual. Andi can clearly tell us what she wants or needs now. She loves being able to express herself with her words/sentences and I love not having to play the guessing game. Andi loves to talk. She will constantly narrate what she is doing. She is also very detailed oriented and descriptive. She is now using adjectives to describe things: "pretty shoes," silly Daddy," "big book," etc...the list could go on for miles.
We have been watching a lot of baseball lately because the Rangers are in the World Series! Andi will cheer, “Go Rangers!” and when asked what we are watching on T.V. she will respond, “Baseball.” She even has a couple of cute Texas Rangers onesies to wear in support of the team.
Andi is really good with familiar faces and names and has even learned to associate people together. She really knows the names of family and close friends. “Uncle Crazy” (Shane Spencer has that nickname b/c we already have an Uncle Shane) came over last week and when he walked in Andi said, “Hi, Uncle Crazy. Where’s Crystal?” I was shocked! She knows who to associate with whom and wondered why Crystal wasn’t with Uncle Crazy. Wow! I can show Andi a picture and she can tell me who each person is. Andi loves to look at pictures. (Especially pictures of herself.) I learned a couple weeks back that Andi is a little possessive of her Mommy and Daddy. I was holding her cousin Samuel and Andi did not like it one bit. She started crying. If Dave is holding another baby, she will say, “That’s my Daddy!” Dave absolutely loves this.
Andi is really good with familiar faces and names and has even learned to associate people together. She really knows the names of family and close friends. “Uncle Crazy” (Shane Spencer has that nickname b/c we already have an Uncle Shane) came over last week and when he walked in Andi said, “Hi, Uncle Crazy. Where’s Crystal?” I was shocked! She knows who to associate with whom and wondered why Crystal wasn’t with Uncle Crazy. Wow! I can show Andi a picture and she can tell me who each person is. Andi loves to look at pictures. (Especially pictures of herself.) I learned a couple weeks back that Andi is a little possessive of her Mommy and Daddy. I was holding her cousin Samuel and Andi did not like it one bit. She started crying. If Dave is holding another baby, she will say, “That’s my Daddy!” Dave absolutely loves this.
Andi loves to “make” pretend food for us to eat. She will say “what to make” and then say “make (fill in the blank) usually “cupcake,” sandwich,” “tacos,” “quesadilla” (YES, Andi can say “quesadilla!). Her vocabulary is incredible. She is brilliant and her diction is perfect. I love this girl and so proud of her! Andi then brings what she made over for us to eat. Little Cutie!
Andi loves to “giddy-up!” She will say this to Dave when she is riding on his shoulders. “Giddy-up Daddy.” Sometimes she will even say this to me, “Giddy-up, Mommy!” as I am carrying her so that I will run or gallop. Uncle Shawn will even let her ride on his back so she can say “giddy-up!” She also likes to “Ride the pony to town, better watch out go fall down.” (According to Andi). And don’t forget “this piggy went to market…this piggy weeeeeee” as she is wiggling her toes with her fingers.
Andi has learned a few new songs. Her new favorite is “Oh, How I Love Jesus. Oh, How I Love Jesus. Oh, How I Love Jesus. Because He First Loved Me.” She can sing the whole thing! She can also sing all of Baa, Baa Black Sheep and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. She also likes Jesus Loves Me, My God is so Big, and This Little Light of Mine. Andi likes to walk around saying “waddle, waddle, quack, quack” like she is a duck. Pretty funny.
Andi continues to love reading her books. She will now sit and listen to longer stories. Might be time to phase out the board books and move onto story books pretty soon. Andi can even read (recite) one or two of her books. Guess she has them memorized! Such a little smarty!
Now that the weather has cooled down we can enjoy going on walks again. We have started to venture around the new neighborhood and have liked looking at everyone’s Halloween decorations. On that note, we were “Boo-ed” earlier this week. Neighbors left a festive pail full of Halloween goodies on our front porch and we then repaid the favor and booed another neighbor. Fun idea. With Halloween comes the traditional Strickland decoration involving the Skeleton Bride. Andi is a little unsure what to think of her. We originally had her in the house at the bottom of the stairs, but Andi would know she was there and about three steps from the bottom she would say, “Mommy, hold you! Scary Skeleton!” So we have moved her outside and Andi will now say, “Scary Skeleton, Bye-Bye, Outside.” When asked what a skeleton says, Andi will go “Ooohhhh” with a quiver in her voice. We have been reading a book called “Biscuit’s Halloween” and Andi is getting the concept of Halloween and will say, “trick or treat. I like candy.” (even though Andi does not like candy). Andi will tell you if she doesn’t like a particular food or something else. She will make a say, Don’t like it. Yucky”
Andi used her potty for the first time yesterday. She woke from a nap and was asked if she wanted to use her potty. She nodded and said, “Yea.” She sat down on her small potty and did it! What?! She went pee-pee in her potty! What a big girl! Still can’t believe it! Dave said that she is too young for that. We are both a little sad that our baby is growing up so fast.
Andi is still sleeping in her crib. She still likes to have a pacifier or two and any stuffed animal and blanket in bed with her. And now likes to have a pillow in there too. Andi is an excellent sleeper, still sleeping through the night. Bedtime is usually 8:30 and wakes by 7:00 or is awoken by 6:45 during the week. She really likes being in her crib and usually giggles when we put her to bed. She is so excited to lay down and rest. We usually read a few books before bed, usually read by Daddy and then say a praer. Andi will always remind us about praying at bedtime and meals by saying, “Hold hands.” She is absolutely right. We need to hold hands and say a prayer. Love this! She will follow by chining in, “Amen” at the end of the prayer. For naps, Andi is pretty much down to one nap a day. She will nap right after lunch (sometimes before) and naps for at least two, sometimes three hours. I miss her having two naps but one three hour nap is just as good, if not better for her than two one and a half hour naps.
Andi is a good eater. I would not call her picky but she is particular about what she prefers to eat. And she will let us know what she wants. She is really liking cheese right now. A great source of calcium. Especially since the only milk she gets is typically in her morning bowl of cereal. She loves cereal. As a meal and for a snack. Andi is still not a fan of fruits but loves eating what we call “Mash Ups.” Mash ups are pouches of pureed fruits and/or vegetables that Andi can squirt into her mouth and eat all by herself without making a mess. Genius! Andi has become an independent eater. She likes to feed herself and does an excellent job.
Andi still wears size 18 months shirts and onesies and 12 or 18 months dresses, shirts, and shorts. Size 5 shoes. She is in a size 3 diaper. Andi has 12 teeth and two more are trying to make an appearance.
Andi loves to “giddy-up!” She will say this to Dave when she is riding on his shoulders. “Giddy-up Daddy.” Sometimes she will even say this to me, “Giddy-up, Mommy!” as I am carrying her so that I will run or gallop. Uncle Shawn will even let her ride on his back so she can say “giddy-up!” She also likes to “Ride the pony to town, better watch out go fall down.” (According to Andi). And don’t forget “this piggy went to market…this piggy weeeeeee” as she is wiggling her toes with her fingers.
Andi has learned a few new songs. Her new favorite is “Oh, How I Love Jesus. Oh, How I Love Jesus. Oh, How I Love Jesus. Because He First Loved Me.” She can sing the whole thing! She can also sing all of Baa, Baa Black Sheep and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. She also likes Jesus Loves Me, My God is so Big, and This Little Light of Mine. Andi likes to walk around saying “waddle, waddle, quack, quack” like she is a duck. Pretty funny.
Andi continues to love reading her books. She will now sit and listen to longer stories. Might be time to phase out the board books and move onto story books pretty soon. Andi can even read (recite) one or two of her books. Guess she has them memorized! Such a little smarty!
Now that the weather has cooled down we can enjoy going on walks again. We have started to venture around the new neighborhood and have liked looking at everyone’s Halloween decorations. On that note, we were “Boo-ed” earlier this week. Neighbors left a festive pail full of Halloween goodies on our front porch and we then repaid the favor and booed another neighbor. Fun idea. With Halloween comes the traditional Strickland decoration involving the Skeleton Bride. Andi is a little unsure what to think of her. We originally had her in the house at the bottom of the stairs, but Andi would know she was there and about three steps from the bottom she would say, “Mommy, hold you! Scary Skeleton!” So we have moved her outside and Andi will now say, “Scary Skeleton, Bye-Bye, Outside.” When asked what a skeleton says, Andi will go “Ooohhhh” with a quiver in her voice. We have been reading a book called “Biscuit’s Halloween” and Andi is getting the concept of Halloween and will say, “trick or treat. I like candy.” (even though Andi does not like candy). Andi will tell you if she doesn’t like a particular food or something else. She will make a say, Don’t like it. Yucky”
Andi used her potty for the first time yesterday. She woke from a nap and was asked if she wanted to use her potty. She nodded and said, “Yea.” She sat down on her small potty and did it! What?! She went pee-pee in her potty! What a big girl! Still can’t believe it! Dave said that she is too young for that. We are both a little sad that our baby is growing up so fast.
Andi is still sleeping in her crib. She still likes to have a pacifier or two and any stuffed animal and blanket in bed with her. And now likes to have a pillow in there too. Andi is an excellent sleeper, still sleeping through the night. Bedtime is usually 8:30 and wakes by 7:00 or is awoken by 6:45 during the week. She really likes being in her crib and usually giggles when we put her to bed. She is so excited to lay down and rest. We usually read a few books before bed, usually read by Daddy and then say a praer. Andi will always remind us about praying at bedtime and meals by saying, “Hold hands.” She is absolutely right. We need to hold hands and say a prayer. Love this! She will follow by chining in, “Amen” at the end of the prayer. For naps, Andi is pretty much down to one nap a day. She will nap right after lunch (sometimes before) and naps for at least two, sometimes three hours. I miss her having two naps but one three hour nap is just as good, if not better for her than two one and a half hour naps.
Andi is a good eater. I would not call her picky but she is particular about what she prefers to eat. And she will let us know what she wants. She is really liking cheese right now. A great source of calcium. Especially since the only milk she gets is typically in her morning bowl of cereal. She loves cereal. As a meal and for a snack. Andi is still not a fan of fruits but loves eating what we call “Mash Ups.” Mash ups are pouches of pureed fruits and/or vegetables that Andi can squirt into her mouth and eat all by herself without making a mess. Genius! Andi has become an independent eater. She likes to feed herself and does an excellent job.
Andi still wears size 18 months shirts and onesies and 12 or 18 months dresses, shirts, and shorts. Size 5 shoes. She is in a size 3 diaper. Andi has 12 teeth and two more are trying to make an appearance.
Andi is a true blessing to Dave and I. Our family and friends all love and adore Andi too and we are so thankful that so many people can be a part of her special life. Andi is a lucky girl and I am a lucky Momma to have been blessed with this precious Angel.
