Motherese

I noticed yesterday that whenever Daniella talks to Jackson, she speaks in a high pitched tone. I learned in my speech classes that mothers speak in a high pitched sing-songy tone called "motherese" to their babies. I didn't think that my "motherese" was so pronounced that a nine-month old would pick up on it, but I as I was videotaping Dani, I realized my pitch was also notably higher.

Double Stroller

Dani and Jackson love the new double stroller. They will often pat each other along the way and instantly calm down when placed in the stroller because they know their fun walk is coming.

Thanks B. for giving this to them!

On a side note, for those who know me, the photo with both babies smiling was not Photoshop-ed at all.

I'm thankful for cousins!

We had so much fun visiting with Daniella's cousins. She really enjoyed playing with them this visit and she even followed the oldest around and walked to her spontaneously (before that she had only walked to Mom and Dad).

Daniella loved that her cousin would read to her.

She also loved playing picnic with the three year old.

This is one of my favorite videos from the trip. You can see the two cousins who are closest in age play during dinner.

Walking

Ever since Daniella took her first step in September, I have noticed that many people have different definitions for when a child "starts walking". Is it when they take their first step, first three steps in a row, repeatedly take a few steps, when they take off spontaneously or when they walk more often than they crawl? Right now, Daniella is in the spontaneously take a few steps up to about 5 feet or so away. Dani has improved her walking skills since this video was taken, but at least you are now able to see her walk.

Pigtails

I'm amazed Dani's hair is already long enough for full pigtails.

New Food Creations

Since Daniella loves to feed herself, we have started to feed her small finger foods. Cheerios are a natural favorite and peas were the only soft vegetable I could think of for her to pick up and gum since she still has no teeth. Trent decided to be creative and make her dinner into little sandwiches. She enjoyed her Cheerio pea creations. If you have any ideas of other quick finger foods, please comment and let me know.

ASL

I wanted to get a video of Daniella eating Cheerios since I think it is very cute how she has learned to gum them. I was pleasantly surprised that she also wanted to sign for the camera as well. She still confuses "more" and "all done", but she is getting better.