Message from Mommy

OK -- here's a quick update and snapshot of Calista at 19 months old. As some of you may know, we have switched childcare situations. Our nanny Michelle, who we still adore, got offered a job working for her brother she couldn't refuse. After much thought, we decided to join a nanny share care with some friends who live across the street Monday-Thursday. We know it's temporary, since they are having another baby in January, but we're crossing our fingers it will last as long as possible, because it's working out so well! Whenever I tell Calista she's going to play with Claire (new nanny) and Eden she enthusiastically says, "Yeaah!" We found a darling Brazilian woman to watch Calista on Fridays.

Little Missy has managed the transitions, and multiple babysitters/nannies with so much grace. She is really good about accepting new situations with new people. We are very proud of her, and grateful that everything is working out so far.

We feel that she is learning so much in the share care. Since the other little girl is older (Eden will be 2 next month), Calista is inspired and challenged to grow and develop verbally, socially and physically, while still maintaining her sweet disposition, love of reading, love of singing and gentle nature. They do a lot of art projects together, and learn the art of taking turns/sharing. In addition, Calista is growing in new and exciting ways:

Calista can walk backwards
Calista can open the front door all by herself (Oops! we now dead-bolt our door all the time!)
Calista pretends she is a kitty or a puppy
Calista sits on her potty and wipes herself (Oh, I am so looking forward to the day when she is potty trained!)
Calista knows her colors (If you ask her to pick out the white crayon from a pile she can do so! And pretty much every other color too.)

She is putting more two-word strings together:
Call Daddy
Daddy airplane (can you tell Scott's been gone for a week on business?)
Oh no (from reading Pancakes for Breakfast)
I'm sorry
Mommy up
Mike Weezie Boat
No mine (from her first day of share care - wonder where that came from - ha!)
Froggie bed
Night Cookie (her lovie Cookie Monster)
Diaper off

She picks up more words every day. I jotted down some of new words she learned this week (~30!):
Beach
Bed
Black
Feet
Froggie
Girl
Help
Hot
Hunter (Sara's baby boy)
Lap
Lorie
Melon
Oatmeal
Orange
Phone
Please
Potty
Read
Ribbit ribbit
Sand
Sara
Sausage
Smiling
Strawberry
Sweater
Tweet tweet
Walk
Water
Wet
White
Wipe

Finally, I should add that we are in the thick of preschool applications for Calista to start in September 2009. We will find out in February/March where she is accepted. It's a highly competitive process in this city...so we're hoping that she gets into a great school! I'll keep you posted...think good thoughts for us!