One year milestones

I keep meaning to sit down and summarize all the little things that Teresa's been doing at around a year... Well, I finally got the chance tonight while mom's at pottery class. She's:

Walking... forward and backward.
Has a favorite song (The wheels on the bus), which she's played for many many months now.
Has a favorite book (Animal pop-up)
She says (mostly) 'light', 'hat', 'shoes', 'dada', 'doggy', 'cheese'
She signs 'more (often with our hands)', 'all done', 'milk' (although the meanings are somewhat fuzzy... milk is a catchall for food, milk, water, mama, etc. All done sometimes means 'want more'.
She responds to sentences like: 'Where's your hat?' 'Go put on your hat!' 'Where are your shoes?' 'Where's the flower?'
She dances... 'the twist', 'the shoulders' and 'the stomp'.
She claps when a song ends.
She expresses preferences (for food, for books, etc.)
She likes to read books: she turns the pages herself and often insists on returning to the 'good parts'.
She helps to get dressed by holding her arms and legs up for shirt arms and pant legs.
She responds to airplanes, cars, trucks, doggies, other kids.
She pretty consistently naps twice a day.
She sleeps in a big girl bed.
She likes to spin/be upside down/swing.
She's a sweetheart!

Feeding the Mamas

Teresa has decided that feeding others is at least as enjoyable as feeding herself. Any "fingerfood" is apt to be shared with Mama before or while feeding herself.

Teresa has taken to carrying things around... Just before our trip east, she decided to go into her bedroom one day and grab her snuggies out of her crib. She also received some 'purses' for her birthday, which are just perfect for carrying!

We ended up sitting behind a mom with her 15 month old on the flight home... He and Teresa were very interested in eachother!

What a fine set of ladies!

Holding Hands

Today Teresa decided that holding hands was something she likes! She's generally been very un-hand-holding friendly, retracting her hands with great speed if I try to hold her hand. But today she was lollygagging behind and I stopped to wait up. She stood there looking at me and held out her hand. I held out my hand too and said, "come along Teresa, let's walk." and waited for her, expecting that she'd want to be carried when she reached me. instead she grabbed ahold of my hand and took off walking. Zing, I'm dragged along, giddy with mommy-ness of being asked to hold hands!

Birthday girl with Birthday cake!

Look! A puddle to splash in!

We went to Sea Ranch for New Years... And were treated to a terrific storm. During one of the of breaks in the storm we went out for a walk.

Teresa with Annie

Teresa and Allison... playing with blocks.

Dad with cousin Allison.

At the christmas party: Teresa eyes auntie Barb's wine glass...

Aren't those reindeer fetching??? 

We went to see Santa at the HOA Christmas party on Sunday. Teresa wasn't really sure what to make of that red suit, but she didn't scream like some other little kids! 

Mom with Teresa in her christmas suit! 

And teaching gramp the sign for change! 

Teresa, doing her best impression of a cherub. 

Gramma and Gramp came for a visit last week. Teresa was happy to show off her walking skills and to have help trimming the christmas tree! 

Our walking zombie!