nev took her first steps yesterday, jan. 30th, 2009. she was at "school" and the teachers told me about it when i went to pick her up! we put her to the test and she did it again! she took about 4 steps! i immediately called joe, grandma and grandpa black, grandma and grandpa herzog, and aunt stacey! then once joe got home we put her to the test again and she did it again! so, she took about 15 steps total for her first day! she has yet to do it again though! she is standing on her own for much longer periods now and has way better balance than a few weeks ago!
in other news, she loves giving hugs. she went over to grandma and grandpa black's house the other day and once she saw grandpa she reached out her arms for him. once he was holding her she nuzzled her head into his chest and gave him a big hug! she also likes to give kisses. when grandma picked her up from school last week she reached out her arms for her and again...once grandma had her in her arms she planted a big kiss on her lips and then gave her a hug! then on sunday we went hiking with daddy and she was hugging him from behind in the hiking carrier. it was really cute!
she definitely loves her daddy because her face lights up everytime he walks into the room! she will also "ask" for him (dada, dada) when i get her out of her crib in the morning. so we go cuddle as a family together in bed before we start the day! it is one of the best moments of the day...besides all the other ones that we have after i pick her up from school! :)
she also has been "singing" lately and i contribute this to her adventures at daycare. they visit the "grandfriends" next door at the senior living center and sing while someone plays the piano! her teachers report that she loves this! also at daycare she has fingerpainted, rode a pony, and made lots of new friends! the teachers tell me that she is "an easy baby" and that she is pretty. i guess i will take the compliments! :)
some of her other new skills include putting the cap back on the bottle (especially on hair spray bottles...or actually it is the bottle of hair detangler that i use on her). she brushes her hair, responds with a "woo woo" when asked what a dog says (or at least half of the time...she also does this when seeing a dog too). she kicks balls around the room while holding on to someone else's hand. and just last night she was watching herself in the mirror while she turned the pages of a book! she got a kick out of that and was smiling at herself!
she went to the doctor today for a follow-up on her double ear infection (it is better but there is still some fluid in her ears) and for her one-year well baby check. so her current stats are...
weight - 17 lbs. 15 oz., height- 28.5 inches