Likes: Staley loves to explore--especially if her exploration includes stairs, shelves, and drawers. Bath time and swimming are still fun activities. In the kitchen, Staley gets excited about 'helping' unload/load the dishwasher and standing up at the open refrigerator (which goes back to her love of taking things off shelves.) Staley likes to play with all her toys, but some of her current favorites are her Little People toys (house, bus, zoo, Ark), her toy phone, all balls, her push toys, her bath toys, and of course, her books. It's hard to list favorite books since she loves them all, but her 'Tails' book, her 'B is for Bear' book, and her sets of little books are at the top of the list. Socks and keys are awesome. Bouncing on the bed is always fun. Dogs and cats are exciting, and Staley loves to play with her cousins...as well as the kids at her baby-sitters and the kids in the church nursery. Favorite foods include soup, grilled cheese, fruit, Ritz crackers, yogurt, pancakes, quesadillas, chicken, and fish.
Dislikes: Staley still does not like her vegetables (unless they are mixed with applesauce), eggs, or pasta. Getting clothes changed or diapers changed are not her favorite activities, and Staley generally does not like to be strapped into her carseat. Being told 'no', having her face wiped off after meals, nose sucking, and having preferred items taken away can all result in drama. Staley sometimes cries when I walk out of a room, but I must admit--this kinda makes me feel good.
Skills: Staley is still crawling (fast), crawling up stairs (well), cruising along furniture, walking with a push toy (alone), and standing alone for a few seconds. She is now putting her rings on the stack, starting to put her shapes into shape sorters, and starting to understand that puzzle pieces go into the puzzle (but not necessarily in the right place). Staley loves to put things in, and she likes taking things apart (megablocks, stacking bowl balls) and trying to put things together. Staley likes feeding herself with a spoon, although she usually reverts back to her fingers before too long. Staley is talking up a storm. She has between 60-70 words (everything from 'Mama' to 'help' to 'cheese' to 'cold'.) She has 7 signs (more, help, eat, drink, please, thank you, and all done) and can identify 5 letters (S, O, A, L, H). Staley understands so much of what we tell her. If she asks for a drink or a cracker during meal, she understands if we say '3 more bites and then you can have your cracker/drink' (and then generally takes her bites without complaints.) She identifies her eyes, nose, teeth, ears, hair, tummy, and toes. Staley gives the best hugs, blows kisses, bounces, dances, and can bring a smile to my face without even trying. For years, Zach and I prayed for a child...and the answer was more than we could have ever hoped for!
Our little one year old
