December

Whew! We've just capped off an amazing holiday season, filled with everything that makes the season what it is - Christmas decorations, family visits and tons of food. Madeline, now 22 months old, was completely immersed - she even learned how to operate the cd player in our living room so she could turn on the Christmas music every morning ("Jingle Bell Rock" was her favorite tune, though she also learned most of the words to "Silent Night"). She loved decorating the tree and going on Christmas-light tours in the neighborhood, and even inspired us to string up lights on the columns and rails of our front porch.

Aside from the holidays, Madeline has had an active month. She can now count to 13 without interruption or repetition, and can accurately identify small numbers of similar objects (two shoes, three squirrels). Her longest sentences have contained seven words, but five- and six-word sentences are common.

The most exciting part for me is that we can have genuine conversations together. Each night as I put her to bed we talk about that day, and it always amazes me what details she remembers. I don't feel like I'm coaxing words from her, but rather I'll briefly mention an activity and she'll describe what she remembers, such as where she was standing, the texture of an object or who else was there. When I talk to her on the phone (she loves talking on the phone) I can ask what she had for dinner or what she did with the babysitter that afternoon, and she'll tell me with accuracy.

Perhaps it shouldn't surprise me that she can remember those types of details. I'm more impressed that she can verbalize her thoughts so well, and by her huge vocabulary (one baby-development site says a typical 22-month-old's vocabulary consists of 20 words). She's even started to pluralize words and experiment with pronouns.

Potty training is going well so far - she lets us know when she has to go (sometimes) and seems to be pretty good about controlling it and waiting until she's ready to go. And she makes adults feel special by cheering when they emerge from a restroom, just like mommy and daddy cheer for Madeline when she's successfully used the potty.

At the beginning of this year I speculated that the major story of 2009 would be Madeline's cognitive growth, and she hasn't disappointed (although her physical growth has been impressive, too, according to the pencil marks on the back of her bedroom door). In fact, I don't think I quite realized the amazing development that would take place in the past 12 months.

Here are some photos from the past month:

In the spirit of the season, Madeline made her own wrapping-paper-tube trumpet.
























All decked out in daddy's "outdoorsman" flannel jacket and holding a spatula, Madeline is ready to assist with the steak-grilling duties one late-fall evening.

Madeline enjoyed a visit with her great-grandparents and other family members during our annual holiday trip to Roanoke.

Madeline, holding Baxter the Dog, spread her holiday cheer throughout the retirement community where her great-grandparents live.

Madeline lends mommy a finger - a duty she relished at wrapping time.
























Madeline writes a greeting on a gift that she will later present to Aunt Hannah.

A late-December storm left about 8 inches of snow at our home - Madeline's first experience with snow since March,
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This time, Madeline loved being outside in the snow, although it was so deep and dense she couldn't really walk in it.










Madeline hugs her very first snowman.
























Madeline, taking a break from cooking Christmas treats in the kitchen, spends a quiet moment with the nutcracker. Madeline and mommy could be found in the kitchen many mornings this month, and I always enjoyed waking to the delicious smells of whatever was cooking.

Madeline spent a few days on Christmas week hanging out at Grandma's house with mommy and Hannah, doing Christmasy things with the girls. Daddy later got to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Madeline gives Uncle Stephen a hug during our Christmas Eve visit to Nana's cabin at Bear Creek Lake State Park.

Madeline readies the milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve, and was perhaps confused why she couldn't share them.

The first gift Madeline saw on Christmas morning was her new kitchen set, and she played with it for most of the day. We had to pry her away to get her to notice other presents and people.

Madeline helps Papa extricate her new baby doll from the seemingly adult-proof packaging.

Madeline enjoys an alphabet puzzle she received from Santa - the old color and shape puzzles had become too easy for her, so now she has a new challenge for 2010.

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Madeline chats on her new Pooh phone after Christmas morning breakfast at Granddaddy's house.

Madeline's 2009 Christmas portrait.