The Phillips Family

PEARLY WHITES
As you know, I don’t really keep up with Jane’s stats on the blog, but for her 1st birthday, I thought I’d document a few of my favorites.

She got her first 2 teeth at 5 months. I had been dreading teeth due to nursing her, but was pleasantly surprised. Her teeth were mostly decorative; she didn’t bite! As for teething, we had it pretty easy. The first tooth bothered her a little and came in over Easter weekend in Hamilton. We didn’t even notice the next three until they were here and smiling at us.

She got her fifth tooth for her 1st birthday while we were in Houston. (Visits to Texas prompt tooth growth?) And then the next three teeth popped out a week later. Now as a big one-year-old, she has 8 teeth! (Still mainly decorative).

She is great at smiling with her teeth. She is not great at letting us brush them, even with her cute Hello Kitty toothbrush.

LOCOMOTION
Jane spent awhile revving up, and then took off crawling at 7 months. At a year old, she crawls faster and over everything, including stairs and anyone lying on the floor. I am sure that she could walk if she wanted to, but she is a little bit of a weenie wuss and doesn’t like to fall, even a couple of inches… on plush carpet.

Instead of walking, the girl dances. She dances at church, when Jeremy plays mandolin or guitar, to the radio, to her musical birthday card, and when she plays Jeremy’s keyboard. When she plays the latter, she throws her head back like Stevie Wonder and shakes her hair. She has some serious moves (just not walking moves).

CHITCHAT
Jane can say Da da da da da (always when she’s excited) and Mama (but only when she’s whining).
She can tell you that a chicken says “bawk bawk bawk,” a cat says “ow,” and an owl says “whooo.”
She can sign “all done” and point to what she wants you to give her next at the dinner table.

NUMBERS
From age 0 – 9 months Jane has been in the 50th percentile for weight and height. Then she shifted to 25% for weight at the last two doctor appointments, which is normal as babies get more active and busy. She still has rolls in all the right places. I confess I miss summer clothes that show those rolls!

OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Jeremy’s favorite thing is Jane’s belly laugh, and he commits real time to hearing it every day. It’s not hard; she gives up her laughs pretty easily, and the two of them don’t seem to get tired of rolling around on the floor laughing, only stopping to breath.

My favorite thing is when Jane and I are sitting near each other but working on our own things, and then all of a sudden she is standing in my lap with her arms around my neck and her head on my shoulder. She’ll work on her own book or blocks or puzzle for quite a while but all of a sudden it’s too much distance. I love that she needs me for a moment. I need her too. Every time.

Jane’s favorite thing (besides us, I suppose) is the cat. I know, our own ornery feline, Sophia Phillips, the same cat who hisses at our parents and dinner guests. EVERY SINGLE TIME Jane sees that cat, she squeals, or says “ow” (for meow), or “ke ca” (for kitty cat). Jane and Sophie routinely have a few episodes each night dedicated to Jane trying to kiss the cat’s fur or gently touch her paw or tail or… you get the picture. Jane is pretty careful with the cat, and for the most part the cat will tolerate a few kisses or pats per night.