Daniela has begun to form sentences with two and sometimes three words. Her vocabulary grows each day and we have been working with her to learn both English and Spanish. She does know more Spanish words than English so I am trying to repeat in both languages. But if you ask Raul she knows more English than Spanish. But that is an arguement for another day.
She continues her love for painting, planting, playing with barbasol (yes we do this for sensory play), smelling basil. We even caught her eating Moringa (calcium plant) on her own. We also bought her first pair of shoes from Chiquitins in the mall and then found a pair of shoes called Skidders. We have found that the Skidders are easier for her to walk around in because they are flexible and not so rigid. We did not take pictures of her because we were too busy asking questions.
Daniela continues to be curious about food and had tea (no sugar) for the first time the other day. She will eat everthing even cremita de calabaza which she was not eating any of when she was littler. She will climb our work chairs in two seconds almost leprechaun like if you ask me. She dominates Juanga and the other day she told him “No No No Puppy” when he was going to eat her cookie.
She loves music especially percussion music. She will dance even when there isn’t any music. All she has to do is listen to a beat and she is moving her feet, arms, head and entire body.
Daniela understands the concept of “Thank You” When we give her something, she will say it. She is also starting to understand the word “Ayuda” “Help” Instead of getting frustrated and crying, Raul and I have been reinforcing the word so we can help her get something or move something.
We feed the birds with her and water plants. She has also taken to cleaning, sweeping, and cooking. I will put a pot, spoon, and food and she will cook. Although most things end up on the floor, it gives me some time to cook. If she sees us cleaning, she will ask for a paper towel and windex or water and vinger mixture to clean up. We do sing the clean up song to her when we pick up her toys except that she just sings and doesn’t actually hand toys.
We have played with bubbles with her and she is learning how to blow. She will also blow on her food when it is “hot hot” . She is learning the difference between hot and cold. When an ice cube falls, she will say “cold” and if her food is too, hot, she will let us know. I try not to give her hot food but sometimes she gets too impatient and will end up shooving hot food in her mouth. So will say hot hot.
Raul is a champ with changing her pampers. I am still having problems with that and she knows it so she doesn’t cooperate with me as well as with Raul . I have been giving her cotton balls and her blankets but sometimes that doesn’t work either. It is more about me not being able to handle the smell of poo than anything else.
Raul bought an Elmo app for the iPad and that is her favorite thus far. Especially a video in the app where Grover is dancing disco. Another thing she is in love with is a clown named Payasa Agapita. Since we are helping her with a website, she sees Payasa Agapita and wants to watch her videos.
She is learning how to decipher different sounds also. If she hears a plane in the sky, without seeing it, she will say avion. If she hears a truck go by, she will try to say camion.
Daniela has been trying to put clothes on by herself, but a majority of the time she is in her pampers. It has been hot lately and so we just live her almost in her birthday suit. She will feed herself with a spoon or fork (big persons fork and spoon) she will also drink water on her own.
And yes we are still breastfeeding her and she doesn’t look like she is stopping anytime soon. So water and breastmilk are what we are giving her. No juice or soda. She loves her fruits and she will eat vegan cookies that Raul found with no egg or milk in them. Her first sentence with three or more words was “Cookie Please. Thank You”
When we are out she will take our hand and sometimes she doesn’t want us to hold her hand and that is when we will pick her up. Sometimes she is daring and other times she is shy around other people. The other day at a restaurant she started blowing kisses at a lady who was eating behind us.
On to the the next month to see what else is instore.