Dear Siena,
I said I was going to stop with these updates at 12 months but you keep changing before our eyes and I don’t want to forget it all! Plus, I know your family enjoys reading them so I’ll keep it up.
You really transformed from baby to toddler this month. You started to use walking for your only mode of transportation shortly after your first birthday and now you’re nearly running. We take you for walks around our block, which is about 1/4 mile and you don’t seem to tire. We’d love to put a step counter on you to see how far you walk every day – I’m wouldn’t be surprised if your weekly mileage would rival your mom during marathon training.
Your ability to communicate with us continues to improve. You’ve now started saying words that we all can understand, including your favorite “ball” which you said for first time when we were reading a book that contained a photo of a ball. Your most used word is still “uh oh” which to you means that something is on the ground, no matter how it got there (which usually means you dropped it, often intentionally). You often say “hi” to strangers when we pass by and you wave and say “bye bye” to every car that drives by and if anyone heads toward the front door. You also wave “night night” before bed and nap time and can say “grandma,” “nana” and point to Mama and Dada and repeat your name for us when asked. You love to swing and point to it and say “wee” to let me know you want to get on (and continue to say “wee” while I push you). You also ask for your “baba” when you want milk. And yes, you’re still drinking from a baba. I was waiting until after our trip to New York to transition you away from them as you’re pretty attached.
Your personality is as big as ever. You know what you want and you want it when you want it. You aren’t afraid to use your voice and screaming is your preferred way of letting me know you really want something or are frustrated. I’m trying to teach you to say “help” but it hasn’t stuck quite yet. Oh, and one of your other favorite words? “No!”
Physically, you’re looking more like a toddler. Your hair is finally growing, you got another tooth on top (up to 7 now), and you’re wearing a mix of 12 month and 18 month clothes (the larger size for pants). You’re pretty picky and still won’t eat any meat (tuna, eggs and dairy are your only animal proteins) and like to eat things that are familiar to you, which luckily includes these spinach banana oatmeal pancakes I make you which are convenient and healthy.
Your favorite toy is a ball. You will seek out a ball at any chance (the park, the store, an orange on the counter) and carry it around like your most prized possession. Your second favorite toy is your toy Cozy Coupe car which was a generous hand-me-down. You proudly get into your car and say “bye bye” as you close the door behind you. You are starting to enjoy stuffed animals more and I’ve taught you to hug your dolly and it’s pretty adorable when you do it. Everyday items continue to pique your interest more than actual toys and your favorite thing is my small wristlet which you love to empty out and carry around the house with you. You love to watch your dad cook breakfast and continue to be obsessed with the dishwasher. 
You experienced your second Halloween this month and our entire family dressed up as pirates. We went to a party at your friend Beau’s house the day before Halloween and to our neighborhood block party on Halloween night. I bought you a jack-o-lantern trick-or-treat bucket and it was the best $1 I ever spent and still remains a favorite toy. You really enjoyed going trick-or-treating and even figured out how to take the candy from the neighbor’s bowls and put it into your own bucket. 
We visited the pumpkin patch with some new friends the week before Halloween and you went on a ride by yourself for the first time (a little train) and cried after one loop. I took you off and tried the swings next, which you seemed to enjoy more! You went to the San Diego Safari Park for the first time this month with me, your Grandma Ewing and your Aunt Claire.
You had a lot of play dates this month, including a few picnics with your friend Charlie, a meet-up in San Clemente with Jameson, a couple walks with Kairi (and her 1st birthday party!) and many, many visits to the park with Beau. Despite being fall, the weather was really warm and we got in a few more beach visits before the water got too cold. You continue to love your gym class with your friend Emi and we went to the Birch Aquarium and a really fun music class with your neighbor Elie. I’ve made friends with a new group of moms who have invited us to several meet-ups as well as a few girls nights!
I am so incredibly happy with my decision to be home with you. At times it is hard to juggle everything, but thanks to the incredible support from your Nana and Boo, Grandma Ewing, Aunt Claire and Uncle Josh and your dad, we make it work and our quality of life has dramatically improved. You have been able to see your extended family so much more and I know that you (and they) love it. They absolutely adore you.
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