Morning Smile For Mommy: Happy 15th Month Birthday Makayla!

Snoozing away

YAY 15 months! Makayla has successfully weaned! And she is now sleeping through the night again!!

Eric and I were just talking today about how scary it is that Makayla seems to understand everything we say now. CRAZY!

Cognitive development:

Cause and Effect- She's been demonstrating understanding of cause and effect for some time now, but now the associations she's making have transformed into understanding that things in this world are supposed to be a certain way-- bowls are supposed to be used to drink out of so if her bowl is full of cheerios, she'll drink the cheerios. When she puts on her shoes, she gets to go outside. So when she wants to go out for a walk, she'll bring me her shoes, sit on the ground, and raise her foot up so I can put on her shoe.

Overgeneralizing- Makayla is still figuring out the world, which includes categorizing ideas, events or objects as similar or different. This month we saw a lot of overgeneralizing, particular in her speech. Last month, Makayla saw the painting of monkeys and said "daddy", likely because of her limited language capabilities. This month, she says "baby" probably because she's convinced monkeys are babies as well. She overgeneralizes animals by calling them all doggies (unless they're duckies :)).

Language development:

Expressive language- Makayla is talking so much, I'm losing track of all the new words I hear her say!
The new words Makayla imitates: blue, yeah, yummy, piggy, bear bear, cheese, kitty
The new words Makayla says spontaneously: ducky, bye bye, uhoh, tree, wow, baba (dad in chinese)
The new phrases I think Makayla says: I love you, I want
Sign language: please
Gestures: blows kisses
Makayla also mimics a bunch of animal sounds.

Receptive language- It is difficult to know how much Makayla understands but she really seems to comprehend a lot of what we say. Eric says "bring that to Daddy" and Makayla does. I say "give mommy a kissy" or "give mommy a huggy" and she does (when she's in the mood ;)). I say "time to change your diaper" and she starts to get upset. Raissa says "time for vitamins" and she shakes her head "no". As a result, I feel like she's been showing a (tiny) bit more patience because I'm more able to reason with her. For example, she'll go to the door because she wants to go outside, but I'll tell her that we have to put on a jacket first, and she'll usually comply. We have a "Going to Bed Book" we read to her before bed. Eric asks her "what is your favorite?" and Makayla points to the pig EVERY TIME. It's an amazing feeling as a parent to know that I am free to speak and my child is receiving everything I'm saying.

Social-Emotional development:

Independence- I know her strive for independence, the main cause of tantrums, will continue for the next few years. When she wants to push something herself, she'll gently move my hands away. Now that she knows how to walk unassisted, she no longer wants to hold my hand. She wants to climb down the stairs by herself. She wants to brush her own teeth.

Testing- She has been testing a lot. We don't allow her to hit. When she gets angry, she will hit, and we'll say "No Hitting". Then she'll smirk and continue hitting lightly like a pat. Also, she knows she's not supposed to play with the baby gate-- for the most part, she stays away. Once in awhile, she'll look at us with a sneaky smile, and touch the gate, knowing that we will repremand her right away.

Peekaboo- When I say peekaboo, Makayla will now put her hands over her eyes and open them to reveal her eyes!

Asking for help- She has figured out that when she can't do something, the adult can do it for her. This is why she now allows me to put on her shoes on for her. When the phone is not on her favorite game, she hands it to me so I can find the game for her.

Attachment- She seems much more attached to me. I love that she still needs me even though I am no longer her main source of nourishment. Just this morning when I dropped her off at Raissa's house, she saw that I was about to leave so she quickly walked over to the door, waved and said "bye bye" to Raissa! Of course she cried when she realized I would be leaving without her :(

Gross motor development:

A fun push toy at MyGym

Walking- Last month Makayla started taking a few steps at a time. Now she can walk very well without falling. She enjoys pushing her car around especially since she can now walk behind it without falling.
Dancing- Yes she's been dancing for awhile now but I just needed to mention that she's been rocking out to all the Christmas music. She even taps or sings to the beat.. she's got great rhythm!

Fine motor development:

Makayla has learned how to put pegs on a pegboard and to stack them. She can also put lego pieces together. It is so cool to watch.

Peg in hole activity

Adaptive development:

Makayla cleans up! She used to only enjoy taking things out of boxes. But now, she seems to enjoy putting things back in as well.