Baby Genius??

So, I am CONVINCED that my child will become a famous rocket scientist/model - which is good, because considering the state of Social Security, she'll need to support her proud parents.

Taryn is 18 months old (as of yesterday, in fact). For the last few months, I have been trying to get her to repeat the alphabet and numbers 1-10. I don't know how long they've been doing it at daycare (but I am also conviced that her daycare is much better than I give them credit for sometimes).

Anyway, she's at the point where she will repeat every letter of the alphabet and numbers from 1-10, but I always have to say "A", then she'll repeat, then I'll say "B", and she'll repeat, and so forth. FOr the last week or so, when I say A, she'll say B, I'll say C, she'll say D.

I know, I know...how silly - a child is repeating the alphabet! HOWEVER, this morning my super-intelligent and gorgeous child decided to count, BY HERSELF, with no prompting from her half-way sleeping mommy, to 8! She did it all in the right order, although seven sounded like something weird (and I didn't understand it).

But...the kicker?? She's learning all sorts of new words lately, like toddlers this age do. After stopping at Burger King for some chicken tenders for her (because I'm a terrible mother, and I work late and don't have time to cook her a balanced meal every single day before putting her to bed with a soda - diet of course), she started screaming FRENCH FRY, FRENCH FRY!!! Smart kid! However, I was slightly reasonable and got her some applesauce instead. We're driving down the road, and she will say apple, and she will say sauce. Put them together, and what do you have?

Applesauce...or as my HIGHLY intelligent and beautiful daughter would say??

ASH_HOLE :)

Tasty Little Treats

So...I now have one of THOSE children. A little background first...

I have worked with children for almost 10 years, in some capacity or another. The first 5-7 years it was completely hands-on, then I moved into a more administrative/programming role. However, I feel I'm pretty well-versed in the developmental stages of children.

Since September 2007, my child has repeatedly been bitten by another child at daycare. I *know* this is normal, however, this child seemed to have it out for my darling little angel. Over the span of three months, he bit her four times (that was noticed), and two of those times it broke the skin. Now...I consider myself a fairly reasonable and intelligent person. I was willing to let this slide, and chalk it up to bad luck that he was biting my precious angel only. Well, after the fourth time, I lost it - mostly because I found out his parents thought it was FUNNY that he was biting. That's correct...you heard me. They thought it was funny he was hurting smaller children (trust me, I was tempted to bite them myself). At that point, I filed a formal complaint, and this other child was moved to another room. Fine, problem solved.

Until three weeks ago...

What happened then you ask? My darling, sweet, beautiful little angel BIT another child. Imagine my mortification and embarrasment! Since then, she has bitten almost everyday, only once with some fierceness and vigor (of which I am even more ashamed), but bitten repeatedly nonetheless.

While I know this is normal, she doesn't try to taste mommy or daddy at home - only other kids at daycare. Rest assured, THIS mommy does NOT think it's funny that her child is biting. In fact, THIS mommy is PISSED because there is nothing she can do about it, especially because she doesn't do this at home. After phone calls to the pediatrician and meetings with the daycare, I'm hopeful that my child will not grow up to be a Dahmer-wannabee. But until then...if you see my baby coming, cover up those fingers and toes - she thinks they're tasty!

Time Flies...

When you have a toddler!!

I'm terrible at this blog thing - but I wanted to be cool!! I try so hard to be cool :)

Taryn is now 16 months old, and she continues to amaze me and surprise me every single day. She is a pro at walking (which really means she runs everywhere), and she is able to say very many things. She can say the basics (mama, dada, hi, bye bye, etc), but she also says Thank You, Please, Herbie (our dog), kitty, ball, up, help, stop, no (that's a favorite), food, dinner, highchair, play, and more! She knows many of her shapes (can't say them, but recognizes them when I ask for them), and the same for a few colors. She loves to sing, dance and jump.

Things have been wonderful these past few months. I enjoy watching her learn new things, which in turn amazes HER when she can do something new! She goes up the stairs fast as lightening. She has been sick a few times these past few months, but nothing we can't handle. The typical stuff (daycare is the DEVIL), and her first ear infection that just wouldn't go away.

Her second Christmas was wonderful, because she truly enjoyed herself. She was the proud recipient of a new pink convertible - something EVERY child should have apparently.

Still no plans for a little brother or sister - at least not anytime soon. Maybe in a few years. Mommy needs to finish her Master's first :)

I'll try to be better about posting on her - because I know so many of you are waiting with bated breath.