Last week was our last week in Shingletown. I can’t believe two months went by SO fast!! Although we stayed for over 8 weeks, we STILL didn’t see everything we wanted to. It is unbelievable how many hikes and waterfalls there are around the Shasta area. Now we are headed from Shingletown to Lake Havasu City, AZ for the month of June.
Packing this time was a little bit harder now that Valerie has become more mobile. Valerie has made such big strides in milestones! Now, she can crawl as fast as lighting. She claps and waves to/at everyone she sees (which is super cute, but can also make for some awkward encounters in public sometimes). She can stand with or without a support but will only move her feet if she’s holding onto something/someone. Her hair is finally coming in more, AND she’s got seven teeth!! Three of which just showed up last week.
We are also seeing a lot of progression toward communication! I can definitely tell she’s trying to say words to me even though I can’t understand them most of the time. BUT she will respond to me signing sometimes. AND she’s given me the sign for “Milk” and “More” and got excited when I acknowledged her signs!! The effort does pay off if you stick with it! I am still trying to catch her doing the sign on camera. I’ll share when I finally do!
After getting the taste of success using sign language with Val, I really would like to try and start early potty training. I’ve heard of many people starting before their little ones are even a year old. Some success stories say they had finished potty training before their child is even 18 months old! (Here is another moms blog about this method.) I also had a very close friend share her positive experience with early training. I am intrigued to say the least.
Going from Shingletown to Lake Havasu City,The other two things we are thinking could be really useful on the road is a baby gate system and some floor foam mats to help with baby proofing and creating a softer play space. What we discovered while in Shingletown in a home with all wood floors and a learning to crawl/wall baby is that head bonks are constant!!! And Valerie wants to touch the ground one thing in a room I’d like her to stay away from. Hence, the baby gate and mat idea. However we will have to see what we can fit in the van. I’ll keep you posted if we pull the trigger!
Valerie’s birthday is coming up and I am feeling both excited and a little sad. I love watching her light up as she learns new things everyday, but I also am sad that she feels so grown up already! Even though I’ve spent 365 with her, I can’t get enough! We get to spend a week in Florida for her birthday week with some family from the east coast, so there will be two mini parties for her. I can’t wait to share pictures!
Until next time! Cheers!