Keeping Up With The De Oliveiras: End of April and early May

Late April and early May brought a few changes around the house. Aside from the deck, which looks fabulous and which we use whenever we can, Aimy graduated from her crib to her "big girl bed" as she calls it, which is basically her crib with one of the sides with bars replaced with a plank so that she can climb in and out. She is totally enamored with it and asks me often if it's time to go in the big girl bed, or will proudly tell me she had a nap in her big girl bed after she wakes up. There was no danger of her climbing out of her crib (thank goodness) but since she will be in a bigger bed at my parents' place when we visit, we thought it was about time for her to move up in the world. The first few nights we left a foldable mesh bed barrier up so that she could get used to the idea of the bars no longer being there, but still have something to prevent her from falling out (and it was a good thing we did, because I found her pressed right up against it that first night). After we stopped using it, we had a few nights of her testing out her new-found freedom and getting out of bed to come see us, or turn on the light, or play with her books. That still happens occasionally, but she is getting better about staying in bed once it's bedtime. Aimy is also able to climb up on the highest stools and chairs in the house, which makes me a little nervous, but she usually still asks if I'll lift her up, thankfully.

Alixe started to participate more in her meals during this period. She would get frustrated at mealtime if she couldn't have her own fork or spoon to play with. She's definitely grown a lot in the last little while - she's now into the 12 month pyjamas! She figured out how to push herself backwards with her legs and turn around in a circle on her bum, and is getting very good at reaching for objects that she wants. Still no crawling at this point, but she started to seem interested in following Aimy and me around the house and would cry out if she wanted us to stay with her or to follow us. She is starting to show real personality too - if she doesn't want to eat something, she closes her mouth and shakes her head, and when she does want something, there is a lot of pointing and "AAAAHH!"-ing until we give her what she wants. She had more teeth come in and was a bit cranky as a result. And, the part that gets me the most excited, is that she now regularly calls out "Mama" or "Mamama" when she sees me or wants me to pick her up!

Otherwise, the two girls are able to play together more and more often, especially in Aimy's room with her toys. Aimy isn't always great at sharing, but she does seem to be able to entertain her sister fairly easily. I often hear the two of them giggling at each other. It's pretty sweet, and hopefully a sign that they'll be good pals when they're older.

What Aimy does when you tell her to go to sleep. What
a ham!

So excited to pretend to nap in the big girl bed.

Happy

Good aim! That doesn't usually happen

Practicing for later

Hoarding all the blocks. (though
truthfully, it was Aimy who gave them
all to her)

On hands and one knee to reach

Listening to Aimy read a story

Playing "Pat-a-cake"

Clapping. Well done, Aimy!

SOOOO BIG!

Hanging out on one of my new
deck chairs!

I got down from my seat to grab a cloth to wipe Alixe's
face and before I know it, Aimy has climbed up and was
feeding her sister the rest of her yogurt!