Saturday, November 24, 2001

Mia is now pulling herself up onto anything that let's her: the ottoman, the sofa, a step-stool. She doesn't quite know what to do next, and we have to help her get down (although she's learned how to sort of flop down). She can't balance herself on two legs yet, and she hasn't quite gone from crawling to sitting, but this new thing that she's been doing has led us to think she may be ready to walk soon. Maybe every parent goes through this anticipation, but I know that I'm only now getting used to her crawling: let me get a few more months before walking.
posted by Rick Umali 9:56 PM

I put up more pictures (129-134) of Mia during Thanksgiving.
posted by Rick Umali 9:53 PM

Friday, November 23, 2001

Jenn has been trying to discipline Mia by yelling "No!" whenever Mia is near electrical cords, the stereo receiver, and any other 'trouble' that she could get into. I've started doing the same too. The results have been mixed. For me, Mia responds properly about 60% of the time. With Jenn, it's about 80% of the time. This afternoon, I let out a loud and forceful No that actually caused Mia to look twice.

It may be too early to begin real disciplining, but I do not think it's too early for Mia to start recognizing when Mommy and Daddy are telling her to stop.
posted by Rick Umali 10:51 PM

A few days ago, Jenn bought Mia a baby doll. We've named this doll Bob.

Bob is 13", and is fashioned as a baby girl. The Berenguer Doll (item #1600) is for Mia to learn how to 'be nice and gentle' with a smaller baby. The teachers at day care have commented (humorously) that Mia is fond of 'poking babies in the eyes'. Of course, I know that the teachers probably watch Mia carefully, and make sure that Mia isn't actually poking, but it's never too late to instill good manners. Whenever Mia is being a bit rambunctious with Bob, we ask her to be 'gentle'. For her part, Mia delights at seeing Bob, and crawls over to her to plant her kisses.
posted by Rick Umali 10:17 PM

Tuesday, November 20, 2001

Mia's new feat: getting into a sitting position from crawling. I put her down to work on the computer, and she managed to crawl behind my chair, and towards the bookcases. While she was on the floor, on her belly, I gave her a piece of paper to tangle with (Jenn later told me that babies shouldn't be playing with paper). I turned to the computer. When I turned back to look at her, she was sitting up. It was like magic! So now we have another thing we can watch her do.
posted by Rick Umali 10:58 PM

I saw Mia crawl in and out of her saucer after work tonight.
posted by Rick Umali 10:55 PM

Monday, November 19, 2001

Mia managed to crawl into the bottom of her jumper-saucer. I knew that Mia's exploration of the saucer would lead to this. I wish I could have been home to see this, but I'm sure she'll try this again soon enough.
posted by Rick Umali 11:24 PM