Parental Advice Needed!

I need help! My wonderful, beautiful, daughter is not all she seems. You see, sometimes, a monster comes out, possesses her body and makes her do terrible things. Things like, biting, scratching, hitting, and pulling people's hair. I am at a loss on what to do! I have tried biting her back just enough to give her the idea that biting hurts. I have pulled her hair. I have put her in time out. I have tried redirection. I don't know what to do! It is getting so very bad. I find myself losing my patience because I'm with her all day and I'm the one that is receiving most of the attacks. Any advice??

Picture as Promised

So here is a picture of what I created last night:
It took a few magnets to hang it on the fridge but it has stayed there so far. Anyways, it seems to be working and it really helps me to remember to actually teach her things instead of just talking to her.

On another note, we bought Addison a potty yesterday. She has started showing us she has a wet/dirty diaper by pointing at it or by bringing us a diaper so we thought we would try potty training her. I have read a lot about elimination communication training but I think we will just try our best to have her use it. She chose a pink princess potty. No music, lights, or sounds for us. I think it distracts too much from the actual process. Anyways, we will see how it goes. So far I have just let her open and close the lid and she has sat on it twice but she has never actually gone. We shall see...

A, B, C, and 1, 2, 3

I am so very excited! I was sitting on the couch tonight contemplating ways to teach Addison her numbers and letters and ways to have members of my family help me do that. All of a sudden I had a great idea! I quickly got up and found the supplies I needed: A marker, index cards, scissors, and tape.

I began by cutting the index cards in half and writing the upper and lower case versions of each letter on them. Then, I cut more index cards in half and wrote the numbers 1 to 10 on them.

After I did that, that was when lightning struck! I thought of a good way to involve my family. I took an index card and wrote, "Addison's letter and number of the day" on it. I then proceeded to take another index card and made a pouch that I attached to the first index card. Then, I cut more index cards into quarter sized pieces. I wrote on them like this: A, 1; B, 2; C, 3; etc (repeating the numbers since I am only going to 10 to start with)... I put those into the pouch and put a clothes pin on the pouch to hold the letter and number card for the day. I'm sure by now you are going, "What in the world is she talking about?!" I will show you...later...when I take some photos. It all really makes sense...I promise. Anyways, I hung the index card pouch holder thing-a-ma-jig on the refrigerator for everyone to see. Then, tomorrow morning I will show my husband and my mom and ask them to point out things that begin with the corresponding letter (Example: If the letter of the day was "A" they would point out that an apple begins with an "A"). Then, I will ask them to show her groups of things that begin with the corresponding number. I have also found a way to attach my flashcards to Addison's chair so all I need to do is grab them every time she eats and I can review the letters and numbers (making sure to especially point out the letter and the number of the day).

It sounds easy enough and I hope we can keep it up. We shall see how it goes. I will try to post a picture of my "creation" later.

12 Month Check-up

Today Addison had her 12 month check-up! It went well. she is growing steadily so that is good. Here are her stats:

Height: 31 1/2 inches (95%)
Weight: 23 pounds 8 ounces (85%)
Head Circumference: 47.4 cm (95%)

She also got her first MMR shot and her first chicken pox vaccination. I personally think it is unfair that they have a chicken pox vaccine now since I had chicken pox when I was a kid. I guess they have a reason for it though.

I'm glad that Addison is steadily growing and I can't believe how big she is!


She is 5 days old in this picture.


She is 12 months and 1 day old in this one.

ONE!

I can hardly believe that my baby girl turned one on May 6th. That is so crazy to us! I think Ralph and I are in shock still because we can hardly believe it. Her birthday was loads of fun. It kicked off on Thursday night with my sister and bro-in-law. We had to celebrate a day early because they were headed back east to Iowa to visit family and to see my bro-in-law's brother graduate. We had fun eating homemade pizza and I had fun opening Addison's gifts (since she refused to open them).

On Addison's actual birthday we didn't do much. I did run out and get her a balloon bouquet with a GIANT mylar balloon. I also opened a savings account for her.

Saturday was the big celebration. We had an open house for her. We cleaned the house, Ralph decorated, and my mom decorated Addison's cake. It was girly and fun! We had some light refreshments as well. At 6p.m. that day We served Addison her first piece of cake. She LOVED it. I was surprised though because I figured she would be one of those babies that would smash it all over her face. She didn't though. She was quite a dainty eater and didn't even need a bath when she was done. After the cake we opened presents and everyone went home. We had a lot of fun and I was glad that our closest friends could celebrate with us!

I think she is excited to go work in the garden with Daddy!

She got a swimming pool from her Aunty and Uncle. She also got some clothes and shoes from me and her dad and Grandma.


Eating her first cheese pizza. I guess she likes it!


I wish this picture could show how big the mylar balloon was but at least you can see it.

Our good friend Kymberly loaned us the Wilton Animal Crackers pan and my mom and I made this giraffe cake. The big bottom circle cake was a yellow cake and the actual giraffe head was chocolate.


Yummy! She was really tired by now...


Opening her presents. She got this dish set, a doll, a ZhuZhu pet, clothes, and lots of other things. They were all appreciated and Addison loved them!


Addison got this car seat from her Grandpa Jim and my step-mom Marti. It is the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 and I love it! She does as well.


She can ride in style now!