14 month birthday

Rosie highlights of month 14:

• Walking! A while back Rosie took her first steps but then we didn't see much for a few weeks. Just last week Rosie mustered up the confidence to walk, with the help and security of DaddyO's outstretched arms. She doesn't often initiate walking on her own yet and is still quite wobbly, but she did manage to stop on a dime and u-turn the other day. Most of the time her wobbliness seems to come from the fact that she wants to run to her destination! Slow down, baby girl!
• Kisses. Rosie has learned to pucker up and now gives the sweetest kisses (with suction!). She loves to give kisses to family, friends, and her stuffed animals. She also continues to spread joy by blowing kisses to anyone around.
• Dancing! Rosie LOVES to dance! Give her some phat beats and she will shake her hips, nod her head, and even waver her hands in the air.
• Climbing. Rosie loves to climb! Give her a chain-linked fence or a set of stairs and she is one happy baby. She has also mastered climbing down and (more or less) can lower herself off a bed, the couch, or a slide with ease!
• Babbling. Rosie had what we consider her first words: mom, dad, and wow! She is talking more and experiments with new sounds. One consistent sound she makes is her bark whenever she sees a dog.
• Cleaning up. For months now Rosie has been mastering the art of unpacking: her dresser, cupboards, her toy bins. But now, with some encouragement, Rosie will gladly help put things back, albeit slowly.

It has been exciting to see Rosie learn at such an exponential rate. She recognizes new words every day, mimics our gestures, and seems to have a growing sense of humor and can be playfully dramatic. She is such a little bundle of joy and loves to spread her happiness to anyone who will make eye contact.