This and That Update

Not being around all day doesn't allow for a lot of time to take pictures so decided to make up for the past 2 weeks this weekend.

I have been back to work for 2 weeks now and Taylor on her new schedule. So far both are going well. I much prefer being home than commuting to NYC and putting in a days work. Taylor is doing well with the sitter and really enjoys school. She slipped into the new routine without a hitch. Now that she is with the kids at school full time vs part-time she is making friends with some of them. She even takes her nap with no argument.

Taylor's english is really coming along. I think being with the kids at school has really helped. She doesn't have to be prompted to repeat words, she just does it. She says thank you without reminding. Still needs some reminding on please. She is starting to answer questions especially the yes and no type, instead of shaking her head yes or no. Yesterday she handed me a potato chip and said "here you go." Heard it again today. She says "see you later" when I leave in the morning. She also says "don't know" with the appropriate shrug of the shoulders with the hands turned palms up....it is so cute. Sometimes she just does the jester without the words. She also started singing Frère Jacques and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. This started one morning about 2 weeks ago. I have been singing to them to her at night since we have been home. Nice to know she has been listening!!!! It is so cute to hear her sing. I tried video taping it earlier today and posted what I was able to get down below.

Taylor is left handed!!! Yippee!!!!!

She is still a champion eater. Will try just about anything. Sometimes I get it back in my hand but most of the time she eats it. She has grown about 2 inches since coming home and her weight is about the same.

For the first several weeks we were home she watched the Signing Times DVD's and picked up quite a few signs. Haven't had much time lately to watch them but Taylor hasn't forgotten what she learned and uses them regularly. She signs: eat, more, milk, water, doll, cookie, apple, banana and sometimes ball. She doesn't need to be prompted to use them.

Taylor's fear/dislike for dogs is a thing of the past. She is every excited when she sees dogs...doesn't matter if they are barking are not. She will now go up to small dogs and want to pet them. She is a little hesitant around bigger dogs especially those bigger than her but as long as they stay about 6 inches away she is fine. Last weekend when we were at my sister's, she actually fed Tamu who she calls Amu....it is really cute to hear her call out Amu.

I have a fish for a daughter. Who would have guessed it after it took me about 7 weeks to get her in a bath tub without having a melt down. Saturday we went to the Y and went swimming. They have a pool that goes from 0 ft. to 1 1/2 ft. and then 3 ft beyond the ropes. Put a vest on her and she was good to go. We were in the pool for over 1 hour and yes we were prunes by the time I was able to bribe her to get out. I signed her up for swimming lessons that start in a few weeks.

We are making improvements on the sleep front. The past few weeks she has slept through the night more often than not. During the week she usually wakes up on her own around 5:50am which is about 10 minutes before I would wake her up...that has happened only 2 times since starting back to work. Still trying to explain about sleeping in on Saturdays and Sundays...she isn't catching on to that yet. She had been doing well going down at night and falling asleep within 15 minutes (around 8:15). I still lie down with her or sometimes she wants me to sit on the bed next to her pillow. I don't mind this at all. The past few weeks it was taking anywhere from 30 minutes to 45 minutes for her to fall asleep. One night last week, it took 3 hours. I think I discovered that my girl doesn't react well to activity to make her tired before she goes to get ready for bed. She needs downtime before starting the bedtime routine. The night it took her 3 hours to go to sleep we had gone to the playground for 45 minutes before she went to bed. Have been giving her down time after I get home from work or after dinner on the weekend the past several days and it seems to be helping. Will have to see what the next few weeks bring.

These past 4 months have been an absolute joy. It feels like Taylor has always been here. I am amazed at how well she has adjusted to all the changes in her life. She is still full of personality and is very extroverted. She wakes up with a smile on and will always have one ready for you. Very easy to get her to go from tears to laughter in seconds. She does have a stubborn streak which I have seen many times. They said this about her in her referral documents. She gives the best hugs and kisses. I miss getting them when I am at work and can't wait to get home at the end of the day and start collecting for lost time. She brightens my life. Wouldn't have it anyother way.

I bought this floatation device for her to use at our pool or when we go to houses with pools. Here she is trying it on...it was a big hit.

Just love this face.

This was Saturday when we were getting ready to leave for the playground and then the pool at the Y. She is carrying her beach bag with swimsuit and towel inside.

Before we went out to play in the beautiful sunshine today we were playing downstairs.

Here I tried to catch her while she was singing her lullaby's.

Got to love her laugh.