Dog bone

Keeley just finished "helping" me unload the dishwasher. I couldn't get it to close and was very confused because I didn't see what the problem was. Upon closer inspection, I discovered she had decided that one of the dogs white chew bones needed to be washed and had put it in the bottom of the dishwasher. Such the helper.

Beauty of "dada"

As annoying as it is that I spend 12 straight hours with Keeley by myself and she still prefers to say "dada," "dog," "out," and is working on "bell," "ball," "bath," and "book" instead of "MAMA," I discovered the beauty in it last night. Just as Kelly and I were getting in bed, I heard the following from Keeley's room.

"aaahhhrremmmm DA aaahheremmm DA aaahhmrem"

And then she drifted back to sleep peacefully. We then had this conversation:

Me: If she asks for you, that means you have to get up and I get to stay in bed!
Kelly: She really wants you though.
Me: If she wants me, she should figure out how to say it!

Side note: I know that we are not far from "MAMA" being shouted at a regular basis from bed instead of "dada." When that becomes a common occurrence, you can bet that mama will not be getting up every time - even if that is who she wants!

On the move!

Last night, Keeley officially started walking! She's been going full steam ahead for awhile now if she has something to hold on to - even if it is just your pinky. Last night, however, she decided to start doing it on her own. The best part is that I was afraid she'd cry every time she fell down but she doesn't. True to her performer's heart, she pushes herself right back up, claps for herself, and says "aaahhhh!" with her tongue hanging out. She also decided that she should wear a dishtowel as a cape for most of her adventure last night. After awhile she took it off and simply carried it, but for a good ten minutes it was a cape. Do other people's children dress up so much? I have no idea why she thinks it is such fun!

Wearing her cape while she decides whether she will walk or play with Carbo

Deciding that walking sounded like more fun than playing with the dog

Fuzzy, I know, but do you see her clapping for herself?

"aaaahhhh"

You will all be happy to know that she is no longer applauding her own efforts today! (And, she is now saying "ball" and "bell" sometimes to add to the "dog" and "out" conversations we have!)

Dog Out

Keeley is talking now. Unfortunately, this is a conversation that we have at least 15 times an hour (sometimes more).

Keeley: Dog
Me: Yes, that is your dog. Your dogs are out.
Keeley: Out
Me: Yes, your dogs are out. Dog out.
Keeley: Dog. Out.
Me: Yes, your dogs are out.
Keeley: Out (brow very furrowed, lips very pursed)
Me: Yes, both of your dogs are outside.
Keeley: Dog
Me: Yes
Keeley: Out

The first, oh I don't know, million times she said it, I found it adorable. It was even cuter and more amazing when she started saying "dog out" together because that's almost a sentence. However, I am now ready for her to learn another word. I'm not sure exactly what else I can say when she says "dog," "out," or "dog out."

and the winner is....

After much consideration, Kelly and I have decided that "the bean" will be named Kayden Stephanie. Thanks for all your help in picking K names! I suppose this is subject to change in the next 14 weeks, but I kind of doubt it will - we've had a hard enough time picking this name!

Sleep Cycle

Keeley doesn't sleep. I think this has been well established. This morning she started the day at 5:30. At 9:20 (after 15 minutes of crying in her crib), she finally surrendered to her first nap. This nap last an entire 40 minutes. We then went to lunch and the mall and returned home at 1:40. She was not interested in sleeping and cried and fussed for 30 minutes before surrendering to sleep. This nap also lasted 40 minutes.

Needless to say, an 11 month old needs more than 80 minutes of sleep to make it to a reasonable bedtime. She can't be napping any later than 4 or she puts up a huge fight to go to bed. So we were left to power through the afternoon. Finally, at about 6, she rubbed her eyes and face planted into the carpet so we started getting ready for bed. She didn't even want to play in her bath. I laid her in her crib at 6:22 and haven't heard a peep since. In all fairness to Keeley, her day was 13 hours long and that is a long day for a baby (especially when she got less than 11 hours of sleep the night before). It would just be nice if the 13 hours of daytime ended later than dinner!

There is something that just feels wrong about putting her to sleep so early. In my head, I know that she only needs about 12 hours of sleep at night so this will mean she is awake at around 6:30 tomorrow morning...only to make tomorrow's bedtime early again. But, I also know that if kids are too tired they don't sleep well during the night and will wake up tired. What's a mom to do? She's simply too busy for sleep so much of the time. I don't know how to fix it (and goodness knows I've read everything I can about "good" sleep habits - she is simply not falling for it).

I guess I should just be grateful that my husband is home early enough to see her before she goes to bed at 6:30 and that I have the entire evening to spend with him (at home since Keeley is sleeping...)

Carousel Fun

One of Keeley's friends had a birthday party on Friday at the mall. We ate pizza and cupcakes and then went for a ride on the carousel. Keeley had so much fun that we went back today so that Dad could watch and take some pictures.

An action shot

Trying to smile for the camera - until she noticed other kids.