Rosie...

In the last few months, Rose is really turning into a toddler.  Her vocabulary has increased dramatically.  A lot of her words are very clear, and she is stringing together multiple words, or coming up with complex ideas.  She uses the word "Ya" to string things together, as I remember Paige did.  Like "Cup...ya drink".  Or, "boots...ya on". 

She really likes to repeat song lyrics.  She has a few favourite songs, mainly from the backyardigans CD's.  Her favourite is "A pirate says Arrr". She asks for it in a questioning tone, nodding her head..."Arr Arr a pirate says?".  And when she's jumping around in her crib not napping she is often yelling "Racing Daaayyyyy".  She loves trotting around the living room in her diaper dancing to the songs. 

Lately she has expressed fear of monsters (i don't think she knows what monsters even are...just saw it in a show), and the dark.  Sometimes she'll try to go to her room to get something, will get halfway there, turn around and run back saying "ahh dark!", or "ahh monsters".  I am really hoping this doesn't turn into a fear.  She sleeps really well at night, so I'm thinking it's something she says just to say it. 

She's really begining to understand how things work around here.  I mentioned "dinner picnic" one night and she proceeded to try to set up the blanket in front of the TV.  We were having pancakes this morning and she ran into the kitchen to see if they were in the oven (where i stage them as they're all getting prepared).  I just notice that she is really aware of what is going on, can really understand us when we talk to her, and can follow multiple commands.

As for the toilet training, we haven't started.   I see the very early signs though.  She sometimes tells us when she has just gone ("peeps!"), and says hi and makes kissy faces to try to distract us when she is clearly pooing.  She doesn't mind trying to sit on the potty if we think she has to go, but she hasn't successfully gone yet.  I'm hoping the potty seats on the toilet will work for her, as the old potty is kinda smelly (long story).

I'm hoping Rose follows a similar route as Paige and gets out of the whiny bad mood stage when she turns 2.  Right now she is following me around constantly saying "Upie upie!!!".  She used to say up and then changed to "upie"...sometimes saying "E-up"...not sure what that's all about.  She is in the "mine!!" stage too, which Paige didn't really do without a sibling at that age.  I swear sometimes Rose just walks around yelling "mine!" about nothing in particular.  Rose is so clingy around dinner time and meals that I either have to ignore her and carry on with her crying, or put a show on for her with a snack.  The show alone doesn't settle her, she needs a snack too--and vice versa.  And if Rose has a snack, Paige need a snack and they can't share...Rose just yells "mine!!" and steals everything, so I have to put them in 2 separate bowls.

As whiny and possessive as Rose is right now, Paige and Rose still get along really well.  They're always calling each other..."Hey Rose!!" or "PAaaaaige", to get the other to come play with them.  They have races down the hall constantly, play in Rose's crib, dance to the music together,  and climb up the bed and slide down to the floor.  We're thinking of putting Rose and Paige in a room together eventually.  At first I wanted them to have their own space, but it may be good for them to share. 

It's so neat to watch Rose learn from Paige...things like bumps and scrapes need to be kissed right away and then they feel better, you're supposed to spit after brushing your teeth (even though Rose's toothpaste deosn't need to be spat), walking down the stairs standing up, and so many other little things that she copies.