Cutie's Type (a la Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)

I just got a book from the library a couple of days ago called Nurture By Nature, about how to determine type in children (and use it in your parenting). It is the most helpful guide I've seen yet, with descriptions of each type at various ages, including before they can talk! (If you are unfamiliar with the MBTI, it is a fabulous tool for beginning to understand why people think and act the way they do. Let me know if you would like an introduction via some recommended reading.)

Amazingly, I think that the description that most sounds like Rebecca is ESFP. I don't think I would have guessed that if I hadn't read the book, maybe because I don't think I know any other ESFPs, and maybe because it is so different from us (in case you didn't know or forgot, Steve is an ISTJ, and I am an ISFJ, but very borderline on the T/F). The interesting thing is that all three of us share the same dominant function (S).

It is so helpful for me to know what her type (probably) is, because then I can adjust my expectations accordingly. This definitely explains why she has so much more energy than I do (I just thought it was only an age/health factor before), and why she can't sit still for more than 5 minutes at a time, and why she stuffs her face so full of food that she has a hard time chewing (I never knew this was related to type!), and why she fusses when she is hungry, even though she can see me working as fast as I can to prepare her food; and why she pulls everything out of cupboards and drawers and boxes and spreads all her stuff all over the house every single day and just leaves it scattered about; and why she likes collecting sticks and playing in the dirt and water so much; and why she has no concept of danger; and why she loves sitting in our laps but also running away from us; and why she likes to carry not one, but three, big, soft, blankets around with her everywhere; and why she cries when our company has to leave, and when we have to say goodbye to the neighbors' dogs, and when we put her to bed.

It does not explain why she likes playing with toys more than playing with other children, or why she loves books so much (not that I'm complaining about that one!); but according to the experts, there is still variation within the same type, and if at least 80% of the description matches, then it is most likely what your child is. Of course, I could be wrong, but I guess time will either solidify or change our assessment. God must have known that Steve and I needed a little loosening up, and/or that we needed someone energetic, observant, caring, flexible, and generous to take care of us in our old age!

Anyway, please pray for us as we struggle to differentiate willful, sinful behavior vs. just acting according to type and/or age; and as we attempt to let Rebecca be who God made her to be, without making ourselves more stressed out!

Fifteen-month stats

Short version: still tall and skinny, growing fast, likes mostly same foods/activities/toys as she did when she was younger, still sleeps well...just more active now. Still cute and sweet...scroll down for more pictures!

Long, detailed version:

Rebecca had her 15-month checkup this week, and came in at about the same percentages as she did for her 12-month visit: 95% for length (32 1/2 inches); 50% for weight (22 lbs, 5 oz.); and 50% for head circumference (18 inches). Although I'm sure it's nice to be so tall and skinny, it does make outfitting her a little tricky. According to weight, she should be in 12-month size clothing, but she needs 24-month sizes for height. So usually we compromise and she wears 18-month clothes, which fit loosely and are a little short. Her feet are growing very quickly, consistently gaining a half-size every six to seven weeks. She also inherited my wide feet. Right now her shoe size is a 5.5 wide, although she can also wear a 6 wide without the shoes coming off, unless she chooses to take them off. I'm not sure if I'll get velcro for her again or not.

I expressed a little concern that she isn't really saying any words on a regular basis, but the pediatrician wasn't worried, since she is right on track in all other areas of develpment; but she gave me a referral if I want Rebecca to be evaluated further. I know her hearing is fine because she can point to objects in a book if I ask her to, and she can follow simple commands, and she always stops and turns her head when a car or airplane or helicopter goes by, or when she hears the key turn the lock on the front door. Tonight I was standing at the sink with my back to her, and she was in her high chair, and it sounded like she said "dah". I turned and looked at her, and she was looking at the kitchen window. Outside there was a dog barking, and I think she heard it and was trying to say "dog," but I don't know for sure. She also responds enthusiastically when I ask if she wants to go outside or go take a bath (without me pointing to anything). I think I'll wait a few weeks and then decide whether or not to pursue further evaluation.

Her walking is getting faster and faster, although not quite to running yet; and she absolutely no fear of walking far away from Mommy or Daddy. She enjoys exploring, and she is now tall enough to reach the tops of our counters and dressers, so we've had to do some further baby-proofing.

Rebecca's favorite activities continue to be playing outside (collecting sticks, rocks, flowers, shells, etc.); reading books (she'll have the same two or three favorites for a few days, and then her favorites will change); taking baths; opening and closing cupboards and doors; putting things in and taking them out of containers (including trash cans); and climbing onto and off of beds and sofas. She also loves stairs and can climb up and slide down by herself...we don't have any at our house, but that's the first thing she heads for whenever we go anywhere that has them. She is also becoming more skilled at stacking blocks and nesting cups.

Her favorite objects continue to be blankets, books, shoes, and animals (live, plush, or in books--she kisses all three kinds!); and she has a renewed interest in Mr. Glowworm, who sings when she presses his tummy, but we don't let her sleep with him anymore because he makes her take longer to go to sleep. She loves having company, and sometimes cries when our guests leave!

Rebecca's favorite foods are yogurt, green peas, noodles (I give her whole-wheat/veggie rotini), bread, cheese, chicken, avocados, and dry cereal. She never refuses any of these foods. She also likes many other fruits and vegetables, but her preferences for individual ones seem to be inconsistent. She still only has four teeth, but that's not unusual for my family.

Her current bedtime is 8:00, although it takes her 30-60 minutes to fall asleep, and then she sleeps until roughly 7:30, but that can vary in either direction up to 45 minutes. Then she usually has a 2-3 hour nap beginning anywhere between 11:45 and 1:45, depending largely on when she woke up in the morning. Yes, I realize I have a very easy baby, and I am extremely grateful!

Cutie's First Trip to the Beach

On Friday, we went to Galveston with my Aunt Evon and her friend Samantha, who were visiting from Indiana. Providentially, Cutie slept in that morning until 9:15 (as opposed to her usual 7:30), so she did beautifully without a nap all day long. We had a fabulous seafood lunch at Gaido's (highly recommended, BTW) because Aunt Evon remembered eating there as a little girl. I later found out that the Gaido's in Houston is the restaurant at which my dad proposed to my mom (on their third date...another story entirely).

After lunch, we went across the street to the beach. It was a perfect day for it because it was overcast, but not raining, and there weren't very many people at all. Cutie was so excited when she saw the ocean for the first time ever, and even more excited when she got to go in the water. She loved the waves, and only got a little salt water in her mouth, which didn't seem to bother her too much. I don't remember the last time she laughed so much! Eventually, some shells distracted her from wanting to be in the water, and then when she found some sticks, she played with them the rest of the time.

If you're wondering about her swimsuit, the reason it has more coverage than a traditional suit is because the fabric has UV protection built into it (as does mine), so obviously the more protection, the better. The cute water shoes are from Lands' End, but they rubbed too hard against her ankles, even though they seemed to be the right size, and they fell off a couple of times in the water. But at least they protected her feet in case she stepped on anything sharp.

Hope you enjoy the pictures! Stay tuned for the 15-month update!