Cheap toys

It's a good thing I didn't pay much for the play table, as I think Camila is already bored with it! She's much more interested in investigating what I'm doing in the kitchen. We'll see what happens this weekend when I'll have more time to play with her in the living room. Fortunately, I have plenty of other cheap toys for her. For example, an empty box of diapers is one of the best deals out there. ;) I have several that are makeshift "toy boxes"; there's 1 in my closet, and 2 downstairs. I just pull out a box of toys and set it in front of her wherever she is, and normally I switch the boxes downstairs each day for a little variety. For a while there she loved playing hide and seek with the boxes. Now, she's turned it into a super cheap "push toy"! She walks across the floor on her knees, pushing the box in front of her. And she's figured out that if she runs into a wall or other object, she can just lift the box to redirect herself. Tennis balls are another great source of fun for her. She likes to "throw" them - she tosses it about 3 inches and then they roll/bounce. :) She'll crawl after it, and throw it again. I've posted about this before, but here's Camila playing with another inexpensive toy - an old scarf! She thinks she's so pretty! :) Hide and seek with the scarf She does the funniest thing with her tongue. I guess it's another type of play/exploration for her! I just had to post this picture of Camila when she was just 2 weeks old. Look how tiny her hand was, and look at the picture of her above. She's grown up so much this past year, her hands are just one example! Recently she likes to throw herself down on any pillow or blanket that's on the floor. I think she's pretending to sleep, as she even has her eyes closed. Silly girl!

Camila "reading" her magazines.

Early birthday gift

OK, so I bought Camila a couple of birthday gifts and am letting her play with them already. She won't know the difference, right? ;) I figure I can just wrap them up on her birthday since tearing off the wrapping paper is truly all the fun of opening presents at that age, right? Just don't tell her. :)

Camila just discovered the joy of rocking back and forth. Here's an "action shot". (Really, it's just an excuse to post a picture of her cute sweater!)

Look at what I can do!

Just a few random pictures. The other night Camila pulled herself up to standing. Uh oh, I'm in trouble now! Too bad she had to start being so mobile just after Fabricio left! I was hoping she'd put off crawling, standing, cruising and definitely walking for a few more weeks. I'm still hoping she's a late walker, as I'm already having a tough time keeping her out of trouble! ;) Hmmm...what else does she do lately? Any sound you can imagine a baby can make with her mouth, she does. I *think* she's blowing kisses too. She's quite entertaining, and I have to remind myself to keep my eyes on the road while driving b/c it's so tempting to look back at her and see what faces she's making with the funny noises that go with it! Her new daycare is going well, which is a great relief. I was worried about the transition, but she's really warmed up to Lori. I was wrong when I thought the dr. said she was getting molars. Turns out she actually was getting the top teeth. But maybe I already wrote that?? It's hard to keep track of everything. :) And before I forget, I always mean to write about Camila's stinky patas (feet). Yes, my little girl has smelly feet! It's amazing how such a little baby, who doesn't run around and sweat, can get smelly feet after such a short time of wearing socks and shoes! :) Pe-uw!

Views of Camila

These are the views of Camila that I have lately. She's either complaining, or crawling away to go investigate something. :) I mentioned earlier that she's now able to point at what she wants, which is great when feeding her b/c she can point to her water when she's thirsty, etc. The only problem is now she complains when I don't give her the food she wants. I normally give her her baby food first, and then give her whatever I'm eating or other table foods. Today I grabbed lunch at Target before grocery shopping, and she threw a bit of a temper tantrum b/c I wouldn't give her some of my pizza right away. I'm such a mean mom, I made her eat her "real lunch" first! Then I gave her some pizza. ;) I think I also mentioned that Camila is very snuggly lately too. I love it! That more than makes up for the moments she's crabby and complaining that she's not getting what she wants. Camila is also very interactive with me when playing, and likes to give me things or "makes" me do things such as make funny noises with the green cup she's playing with.

Quick update - 11 1/2 months

Just a quick update and pictures. Camila has recently discovered how much fun it is to make me clap. That probably doesn't make sense, so let me explain. She learned how to put her hands on the outside of my hands, and force my hands together so that I "clap". She starts out slowly, but gradually builds up steam. This is one of her new favorite things. (Who am I kidding, she has lots of favorite things now!) Another new fun thing she discovered with her new-found freedom with crawling is how entertaining it is to play with the door stop. You know, the little springy thing behind the door. When I put her down in our bedroom, that's the first thing she heads for. :) She's also been "brushing her hair" the past few weeks. I'll give her her hairbrush, and she'll try to brush her own hair. Usually it's with the wrong side, but she's trying and gets an "A" for effort! Not really any words yet, unless you count "Dada" and "Mama" which are said at anytime, and not necessarily to me specifically (or Dad either.) However, she is starting to seem to understand "done" and will repeat me when I say it at the end of dinner. Same with "up" and "thank you". But, no real words yet as far as I can tell. She's really developing a temper though, which is funny when I'm in the mood, but annoying when I'm tired. Fortunately I usually find it pretty amusing. She gets SUPER mad when I take something that she's been playing with (usually things she's not supposed to be playing with.) She's pretty easy to distract though, so that usually works to get her to stop crying. OK, that's all for now.