Natalie: Twelve Months

Vital Stats

Natalie is 21 pounds and is 30 1/2 inches tall. She was in the 95th percentile for height and the 65th for weight at her 12-month checkup. She still wears 12-month clothes (and the occasional 9-month!) but she does have one pair of 18-month pajamas that fit her.


Milestones This Month

Natalie knows how to clap her hands and wave goodbye. She tries to run sometimes, but mostly it just looks like she walks very quickly. She has started trying to climb things.

Sleeping

Occasionally Natalie takes only one nap a day. On daycare days she gets up early and still needs two naps.

Eating

Cow's milk is on the menu! Natalie drinks cold cow's milk for lunch and supper, and has a morning and evening bottle. Mommy is very excited about cow's milk! Natalie did a great job making the transition - no warming milk or mixing it with formula for her.

Natalie still loves chicken fettucine, bananas, and blueberries. Recently she has tried oranges and chili. She also likes hot dogs, especially over the campfire. She has rediscovered applesauce, and it is GOOD!

One day Mommy gave Natalie a spoon during breakfast, and she had fun dipping it in her yogurt and putting it in her mouth all by herself. What a big girl!

Communication

Natalie understands a lot of new words. Some of her new words: Elmo, stroller, outside, shoes, ball, princess tent. We are working on understanding pointing and she is starting to get it.
Natalie knows the sign for milk and will make it every once in a while, but only when she already sees her milk. Mommy is working on teaching her signs for "all done" and "more."

Natalie babbles "mamamama" and "dadadada." She will shorten "mamamamama" to just "mama" sometimes, but Mommy and Daddy don't know yet if she realizes what she's saying, or if she just thinks it's fun to repeat other people.

Play Time

Natalie still likes to play with her baby doll and especially likes to push her around in her stroller. She also likes to play with her Elmo doll. She has a Sesame Street sing a long movie which she loves to watch. She likes to dance to the music. At Grandma's house Natalie has a kitchen set that she likes to play with. Mostly she likes to climb up on the chairs and sit at the table.

Playing outside is still an all-time favorite. Natalie would definitely rather be outside than in. She loves to go on walks, kick her soccer ball, and play in the sand.