When Draya grows up...

Recently, if you ask Draya what she wants to be when she grows up she'll tell you "A singer."
The other day we were sitting in the car outside of daycare when an older girl came out of the dance-gear store next door. She was wearing her dance costume. I knew that Draya had noticed her when she piped up from the backseat. "Mommy, when I grow up I want the be a singer AND a dancer." It's the sequins, I know it is. Oh and she does actually like to dance as well.

This goes with that, goes with this...

Draya has started her matching phase. She notices when thing match and she likes it when things match. She likes her IKEA plate & cup to be the same colour. She notices when her shoes match her clothing. When she wears her Backyardigans pants she also has to wear her Backyardigans jacket. Currently her doll's potty has to sit next to her potty and her doll's tub has to sit next to our tub because they match. Mommy is totally okay with this... especially when it comes to wardrobe!

On the potty training front...

Draya is doing REALLY well! She now wears panties all day and rarely has accidents. She still wears diapers at night but I have noticed that she was still dry on a few mornings recently. I'm not quite ready to switch her yet though, mostly because she often crawls into our bed in the middle of the night and I definitely don't want her to have an accident there! Also, if she could get up and go on her own it would be easier but the bathrooms on a different floor from the bedrooms and there are baby/cat gates blocking her way. During the day she does go off and potties on her own now most of the time - it's really nice! She even went and used g'ma & g'pa's big toilet all by her self 3 times when we were there on Saturday. Mommy still has to remind her about hand-washing after though.

Dressing Independently

This morning, Draya went upstairs, chose the clothes she wanted to wear, striped off everything including her diaper, put on a new diaper & dressed herself. She even put her dirty diaper in the garbage. And she's not even 3 yet!

Little Miss Red Green

Draya wanted to fix where the paneling is peeling under our bathroom sink.
So she went and got the masking tape and tried to tape it together.
Why not? Tape works for fixing books, it should work for home repairs too.

One step forward... two steps back

A few weeks ago we took Draya's booster seat out of the basement for B to use. Draya decided that she wanted to start using it again and has been ever since.
She has also stopped using the potty before each bath and hasn't tinkled on it in weeks.
On the other hand she uses sippy cups only rarely now... instead insisting that her milk and juice come in open plastic cups. This of course makes it easier for her to practice her latest hobby... food chemistry/soup making.

Time for a quick update

I was only gone for five days but a swear Draya seems to have grown-up a little bit. She is talking more coherently and listening a little bit better. She was quite well behaved at the airport when she and Daddy came to pick me up and have lunch yesterday. She liked the airplanes.
The two of them had lots of fun while I was gone, swimming and visiting Grandma & Grandpa. She did miss me but only every once in a while.
Sometimes Draya does the cutest/oddest things. Yesterday at dinner she kept pouring milk on the back of her hand, slurping it off, and then wiping her hand with a cloth... over and over again...
She also enjoys racing mommy from one side of the kitchen to the other.
In the tub Draya likes it when I squirt foamy soap on her toes... over and over again...
She also still loves to sing. Right now Head & Shoulders is her favourite - she breaks into it often.
Every night Draya & I climb into bed and read Sandra Boynton's Pajama Time - twice. She likes to point out who all of the animals are and what they say... "Sheep - baa, Lion - roar, Pig - oink". She has also recently been enjoying Hey Wake Up (same animals) Lizzy's Lion, You're My Little Love Bug (which also plays music), Clifford's Best Friend and many more of the other wonderful books in her collection. I am so glad to be raising a reader!

Television & The Terrible Twos

Draya has a new television favourite… The Muppets, or as she calls them, “Puppets”. We have Season 1 and quite a few of the “best of” ‘s on DVD. This morning she insisted on “Puppets” instead of Curious George while Mommy was getting ready for work.

The Terrible Twos have shown up right on schedule. The day after her birthday she had her first really big tantrum. We’re pretty sure it lasted over half an hour (we kind of wish we had timed it). She has also started using the word “No!” more.
A few days ago we has our first big fight in the car. I actually had to stop the car while driving and take something away from her! She was rubbing her Mum Mum (a brand name of baby rice cracker) on her seat belt strap, making a huge mess and a noise like nails on a chalkboard. I repeatedly asked her to stop and she repeatedly refused. Needless to say she screamed when I took the Mum Mum away. But, by the time we got into the city she cheered up and wanted to sing.Daddy says it’s like her warranty expired right after she turned two. I say it’s great birth control – now I don’t want another child until she’s at least three!

In other news Draya has learned to open the bathroom door. This actually makes me happy because now if she goes in and closed the door behind her (as she often does) I know she won’t be stuck.

Good & Bad Toddler Games

Draya loves to play 'adult' and 'mommy'. Right now I'm sitting at the computer, wearing a bib that she insists I keep on. She keeps coming by with a cloth to wash my hands.
Whenever daddy or I are working at the kitchen counter she now wants to pull up a chair and help. This is okay when we are doing dishes but bad when we're cooking. We are going to buy a stove guard right away!!!
Draya likes to bring everyone tea. Lots!
Another not so good game she has discovered is 'Switch the CD's'. She takes CD's out of their cases and switches them with others. I'm mostly worried that she'll scratch one.
Tonight she sat on her potty and tried to go. She didn't succeed but it was a valiant effort.

Draya counting "one, two, three... six"

Trying to be more grown-up already

Yesterday Draya didn't want any help going down the back stairs. She pushed mommy hand away ever time it was offered. She made it safely... mommy's hand stayed only inches away the whole time.
She also didn't want to hold mommy's hand while walking into the health clinic where the hygenist looked at her teeth an put fluoride on them. (traumatic but necessary... we'll go back in 3 months for another round). Mommy walked on the street side and all was okay.
This morning Draya didn't want to sit in her high-chair, instead she knelt on a kitchen chair at the big table to eat her oatmeal & banana.
At daddy's office Draya saw mommy get water from the cooler. So, she grabbed a little pointy cup too, put it under the tap, filled it and drank some too.
Tonight she watched mommy shred some papers and promptly wanted to shred some too. Needless to say we did NOT let her (we keep the shredder unplugged).

On another note (he he) Draya loves to sing. Her favourite songs are currently "The Wheels on The Bus" & "Jingle Bells"

Right now she is rampaging the Christmas wrap. Mommy is letting her so that she can complete this entry. I'm going to see what I can salvage now... Cheers!

A Quick and Long Overdue Late Night Update

Life has been busy in Draya's household! There is so much that the little princess/monkey has been up to and so little time. Mommy should really be sleeping but she's currently up late due to a post show/work buzz.
So, here are a few quick updates...
* Draya now speaks using two words together all the time. Her new words are WAY to numerous to mention.
* Our bathing beauty figured out on Wednesday how to blow bubbles in the bath (with her mouth) and how to zerbit the bottom of the tub. Mommy really needs to clean the tub more often now if baby lips are going to be touching it. Draya also zerbited the bathroom floor but mommy quickly put a stop to that!
* Draya likes snow. She likes to dig in it with her shovel and put it into her bucket. Photos coming soon.
* Draya loves to wear either her winter or rubber boots around the house. She can put them on all by herself.
* Today she tried to dress herself. After she was already fully dressed. Photos coming soon.
* Draya thinks she should be able to ride on Ginger's back. Ginger does not agree and slips away quickly each time she tries to climb on.
*After a recent gaming session with L & A one of our Settlers dice was nowhere to be found. So daddy asked "Draya, where is the the dice?". Draya replied "dice, dice, dice", wandered over to her winter boot, turned the boot over, shook it, and out tumbled the missing dice. Lesson learned: if something has disapeared - ask the baby.

A Few Quick Stories

As life speeds past, our favourite little princess has been constantly coming up with more cuteness! Here are a few recent stories…

When daddy and Draya were in the hotel washroom in Red Deer, Draya want all the way along the aisle, stopping to open each stall, point and say ‘potty’.

At the restaurant in our hotel she started calling every older gentleman who entered ‘papa’. Well, she has quite a few papa’s of her own (2 actual, 2 chosen and 2 great) so I can she how she might think it means everyone!

Draya has learned how to turn on the CD player. When she wants to dance she will turn it on, wait for the music, dance a little bit by herself then approach mommy, holding her arms out, saying ‘dance’. She also likes to dance with her dolls and teddy bears. She holds their arms, sways and turns around in time to either a CD or the tunes some of her toys play.

Draya’s new words are to numerous to mention! A few that stand out are ‘water’, 'book' and 'please'. She has also started putting more than one word together sometimes.

When Draya wants the straps on her booster seat or highchair undone (after she has done them up herself – not when she is sitting in the chair) she says ‘beep, beep’ until someone fixes them for her.

Draya has started swim lessons again. So far so good but she still hates it when we try to make her float on her back.

One of Draya’s new places to play is under her high chair. She will steal a set of keys, stick one into one of the chairs exposed screws and pretend she’s driving.

Draya has been eating more recently. She’s probably about to have a growth spurt. The other night she ate two (small) slices of pizza without spilling any and wanted more. Asking insistently for ‘pizza, pizza’. We were all out though and she had to settle for angel food cake instead.

Speaking & Reading

Today Draya learned to say the word 'pizza', so we had pizza for lunch.
When we ask her if she wants to go wash her hands, she says 'hands' and toddles into the bathroom. I hold her up to the sink so that she can run her hands under the tap and help her with soap and rubbing them together. Then, she tilts her head and tries to drink from the tap. After we are done she goes finds her little towel that hand at the side of the counter and dries her hands by herself. Then I help her dry them a little bit more.
Draya has MANY favourite books. We have at least 2 story-times a day and more on weekends. One book that she is currently very fond of is The Old Steam Train. Each page has a little yellow duck hidden on it and she knows where at least half of the ducks are and can point them out all by herself.

A new cousin and other accomplishments

Draya has a super cute new cousin, Graham Paul. He was born on Wednesday, 7lbs 2oz, at the Alex. When I took her to visit him at the hospital she kept wandering around the maternity ward saying 'baby', 'baby', 'baby'. We went up and visited the NICU and took them then and now photos of her to put on their display board.

Draya latest new word is 'eyes'. She knows where to find hers and I'm trying to teach her not to poke other people in theirs. She can also find her ears and mine although she can't say the word yet. When asked to find a nose she'll 'beep' her nose or yours.

A cow says 'moo' and a sheep says 'meh'.

I found a doll sized stroller at one of the consignment places and she LOVES it!

Draya will now take little pieces of garbage to the garbage can under the sink. So far she seems to know the difference between actual garbage and toys, hopefully this will not change.

Ketchup & Shoes

Draya has joined the dip and lick club. Most little kids do it I think. On Friday when she and I were at Wendy's she was dipping, licking & re-dipping her fry. I didn't even think she liked ketchup - guess she does.
Draya likes to slip her feet into my black sandals and walk around the house. So cute! I have got to start collecting dress-up items for her, make her a tickle-trunk!
Yesterday she learned the word 'cake' and ate a bunch of it a Z'd 1st birthday party.
She has been extra mommy-centric the past few days because she has a cold. Poor snotty-monkey!
Still trying to find time to download the camera and post. I should have a window of opportunity this afternoon...

Half Past One Already!

Draya officially turned one and a half today... 18 months... wow!
Recent new words include "hot", "down" and "papa". She also repeated the word "orange" the other day (Harry heard it too).
We bought her a toddler bed this weekend. So far she is sleeping in it well but it's only been one night...
New photos are on the way, as soon as mommy finds time to download the camera.
Happy half birthday honey monkey.
XXOO

Such a little STAR!

Recent Hi-Jinks
When Draya wants to go outside she brings our shoes to us.
The other day she decided to sort the laundry, taking the darks out of the dark hamper in the bathroom and mooving them into the light one. It was especially funny to watch her trying to move my pants.
Yesterday she spilt milk on the bath mat and when I handed her a wad of TP she wiped it up herself.

Teething, Coughing & Toothpaste

Draya is getting her top molars. She has been teething for quite a while now as they slowly force their way through her gums. Last night as she was throwing her head back and screaming in pain I got a good look at the little culprits. Need less to say we gave her Motrin.
The OTHER reason she was up for two hours in the middle of the night last night is the cough she currently has. She has a bit if a chesty-rattle so we know there’s some phlegm there and the cough comes and goes. It’s been getting worse though, interrupting her sleep and shortening her naptime. We are watching her closely for other symptoms (fever) but so far none have appeared.
This morning she was in a surprisingly good mood. I let her sleep a little later so she wasn’t hungry for ‘real’ food after her milk. She insisted on taking our toothpaste tube with her to the car but lost interest once she was buckled in. She can’t twist the top off yet (thankfully). If she could I wouldn’t have let her take it.
She IS getting very good at following simple requests. “Go put your shoes on”, “find mommy’s necklace”, “come into the kitchen”, etc…
We have to be VERY careful near stairs these days though because she want to walk down them like a big girl instead of turning around and going down on her tummy. She knows that she’s not to take a step down until she is holding some ones hand and she tries to use the handrail but she’s just to short! I still know that one of these days she’s going to try on her own again and take a spill.
Speaking of lumps and bumps, Draya has a bit of a bruise next to her left eye these days from where the cuddle rocker at daycare ‘attacked’ her. Her face is at the same height as its arm and she rocked it into herself while heading or a toy. It was totally and accident. It can’t have hurt her very badly though as she wouldn’t let her teacher put a cold compress on it, she just wanted to go and play again.
Yes, my little bundle of energy is always on the go. Last Friday she walked for 3 long blocks on Whyte Ave while holding my hand. The only reason I had to pick her up was that she tried to go into a restaurant. When got to the coffee shop where we were meeting our friends she still wanted to roam… no rest for the Draya… or the mommy & daddy.
Coming soon… photos from our trip to the highland games last weekend… as soon as I find time to download the camera.

Recent “Draya” Moments

Last night she pulled our little blue hairbrush off of the bathroom counter and started brushing her own hair.

She will now walk away from whatever she is holding on to without a specific destination in sight. She still falls on he bum fairly quickly but she’s getting better.

A couple of nights ago, at about 4am, Draya woke up and wouldn’t go back to sleep. We brought her into our bed and placed her between us. She was lying quietly when Ginger stated to meow at the cat gate on the stairs. I said “Ginger!” at a stage whisper volume. Draya popped up into a sitting position, pointed at the door and babbled something that included the word “cat” in an obviously directorial tone. Ginger stopped meowing. Draya lay back down and went to sleep. Way to tell that noisy kitty!

She threw her bunny at her daddy to get his attention that same night.

New words include shoes, bear & cup, or at least I think that’s what she’s saying :)

Baths are once again fun. She has been having fun playing with the tub stopper. Taking it off, putting it on, taking it off, putting it on… you get the picture.

Now that she is in Daycare on a regular basis she is having a lot more good days there. Less crying. More playing happily.

She has recently started hugging and cuddling her stuffed animals and dolls. She will hold them and pat them on the back like a "real" baby.

Missing Milestones

Yesterday morning you woke up, sat up on your own and started playing with the activity centre in your crib. When daddy woke up you looked over at him, said "daddy" and went back to playing. This may have been your first word, although you say "mommy" occasionally too. (we still aren't sure if you know exactly what you are saying yet). This was definitely the first time you sat up in bed on your own.
Recently you pulled yourself up to standing on Auntie KJ's knee and on your activity table. I missed both. I envy daddy for being there for some of your firsts without me. But, I love my job and somebody has to put baby food on the table. We do spend lots of quality time together in the evening and on weekends. I love you SO much!