MyVirtualBabyDaniel

Infant
0Months: YoukeepthinkingaboutDaniel'sdramaticbirth!Afterabouteighthoursoflabor,Danielbegantogointo distress.Thedoctorssaidthebabywasnotinthecorrectposition.TheydidaCsection,andtenminutes lateryouwerelookingatyournewbaby.Youwereawakebutsedatedduringtheprocedure,butyouboth wereabletoholdDanielafteralittlecleaningup.TheApgarscorewas78.AfterDanielwasborn,youfelt thebiggestsurgeofemotionthatyouhaveeverhad.WhenyouheldDanielinthedeliveryroomyouwere amazedthatyouandyourpartnerhadbroughtthisnewbeingintoexistence.

1week: AfteronlyaweekwithDaniel,youcanalreadyfeelahormonalconnection.WhenDanielcries,youbeginto lactate!Thiswillincreaseifyouchoosetobreastfeed,butitwilldieoffgraduallyifyoudonot.

Whatkindofdiaperswillyouuse?Theclothdiapersaremoreenvironmentallysound,butalotmorework thanthedisposablediapers.Andthosediapersafetypinsarehardtoworkonasquirmingbaby! Youdecidetousetheclothdiapers. Youdecidetousethedisposablediapers. Youdecidetouseclothdiapersontheweekendanddisposablesduringtheweekwhenyourpartnerisless availabletohelpduetohisworkschedule.

ForthefirstweekorsoDanielwasn'tveryhungryandactuallylostalittleweight.However,nowDanielhas beguntofeedheartilyandgainsomeweightback. Youtrytomakefeedingtimeaspleasantandrelaxingaspossibleandfeedhimonlyasmuchashewants. YouareworriedaboutDaniel'sweightsoyoufeedhimoftenandtrytogethimtotakealittleextraeach time. Youfigurethisisbasicallyanormalpattern,soyoudon'tchangeanyofyourregularpractices.

YouwantDanieltobeactiveandcuriousabouthisenvironment,soyou: deckoutDaniel'scribwiththelatestbabygear,includingblackandwhitemobiles,rattles,etc.

talkto,holdandinteractwithDanielwheneverheseemsinterested.Youfigureyouarethemostinteresting andcomplex"toy"inhisenvironment. giveDanielalotofaudiostimulation,includingtalkingtohim,singingtohim,andlisteningtomusic.

YouarestartingtonoticethatDaniel'scryingisrhythmicandmoderatelyloudwhenheishungry,wet,or cold.Ifheisstartled,thereisasuddenintakeofbreathandaloudwail,followedbymoredeepbreathsand loudwails. Youtrytorespondtothedifferenttypesofcryingbychanging,feeding,orsoothinglittleDaniel. YoubelievethatcryingisgoodforthelungssoyouletDanielcryforaminuteorsobeforeattendingtohis needs. Youtrytorespondtoeverycry,andyouandyourpartnertaketurnsduringthenight,butsometimesyouare bothtootiredtorespond.

Danielsleepsvirtuallyallofthetime,onlywakingwhenhungry,cold,orwet.Heusuallydriftsbacktosleep towardtheendofthefeeding. YoutalkquietlytoDanielduringthefeeding,makingsureDanielseesyourfaceagreatdealofthetime. YoutrytowakeDanielupforsomeparentbabyinteractiontime.Youdancegentlyaroundwithhiminyour arms,andtalkorsingoutloud. YoufigurethatDanielneedsthesleepingtimeforbraindevelopmentsoyoudon'tdisturbhim.

WillyoubreastfeedDaniel? Yes,Danielwillonlybebreastfed. Yes,butwewillsupplementwithformula. No,wedonotfeelitisnecessary.

3months: Danielisgenerallycalm,inagoodmood,andiseasytosoothewhenupset. Youtrytogetmoreofariseoutofhimbyplayinglittlegames,ticklinghim,etc. SinceyouwantDanieltobemoreactiveandplayful,engageDanielinvigorousplaywheneverheisawake. SinceDanielisabletocalmdowneasily,youallowhimtocalmdownonhisown.Ifhegetsveryupset,you trygentlerockingandtalkingorsingingtoDaniel.

GrandmahasbeencomingoverthepastfewweekstotakecareofDanielonweekendsorintheeveningfora coupleofhours.Thishasputeveryoneinabettermoodandgivesyouandyourpartnerachancetogoout onceinawhile.However,yougenerallyenduptalkingaboutDanielandcallinghomeacoupleoftimesto makesureheisOK!

Youandyourpartnerneedmoresleeptokeepupwiththedemandsofworkandchildcare,sowhatdoyoudo whenDanielwakesupcryingatnight? Feed/careforDanielassoonasyoucan. IfDanielhasbeenwellfed,lethimcry,butgetupandfeed/careforDanielifhiscryingpersistsformorethan 10minutes. LetDanielcryhimselftosleepasthiswillhelphimlearntoselfsoothe.

At3monthsofage,Danielisshowingmoreintenseinterestinhissurroundings.Danielsmilesatfamiliar peopleandtoys,isabletolaughatsurprisingorfunnythings(suchasalittledog),andisdevelopinglotsof cutelittlehabits.

YounoticethatDanielcanlearnathingortwosoyoustartworkingonhisbabyIQ! YoushowDanielinterestingobjectssuchasrattles,mobiles,andstuffedtoysandwatchhowinterestedheis inlookingatthemorreachingforthem. YoutalkalottoDanieleventhoughyouknowheprobablydoesn'tunderstandyou.Youhopethiswill promotelanguageskillslateron. YouwalkaroundoutsidealotcarryingDanielorpushinghiminthestrollersohecanhearandseethings suchasbirds,trees,cars,anddogs.

Danielisabletofocushiseyesonyou.Hespendsalotoftimestudyingyourfaceandthefacesofanyonewho comesclosetohim.

IfDanielwasbeingbreastfed,willthatcontinue?(IfDanielwasnotbeingbreastfedpickoption3.) Yes. Wewilluseamixtureofbreastfeedingandformulaforaddedflexibility,aslongasDanieltoleratesitwell.

No,it'stimetoswitchtoformulabecauseitkeepsbabiesfromgettinghungrytoooften,andDadwillbeable toparticipatemoreinfeedings.

Danielisoftendrowsy,andevenwhenawakespendsalotoftimecalmlyexaminingobjectsorgazingquietly atpeople.Whatwillyoudo? ChoosequietactivitieswithDanielsuchastalkingtohimquietlywhileheexploreshissurroundings. Nothingspecial.Danielwillbecomemoreactivelaterashematures. Spiceitup!EngageDanielinvigorousphysicalactivitytoincreasehislevelofactivity. Mostlychoosequietactivities,butoccasionallyintroducesomemoreenergeticgamessuchasswingingDaniel aroundincircles,dancingaroundwithDaniel,etc.

Danielisoccasionallyfussyaftermeals,andonrareoccasionshasdiarrhea.However,mostofthetime Danielisrelaxedandcontentaftermeals. WhenDanielisfussy,holdDanieluprighttoyourchestorshoulderandpatgently.Burpingisneeded(not youthebaby!). SinceDanielistoleratingfeedingswell,introducesomesolidfoods. Youdonothingdifferentasyouthinkthisisanormalpattern.

Youravailablefundsandlivingsituationaresuchthatyouareabletotake6monthstoayearofffromwork orworkparttimeathomeandhireababysitterwhenneeded. Youwilluseseveralfamilymembersasbabysitters. Youwilluseprimarilyonefamilymemberasababysitter. You'lluseahighlyrecommendedwomanwithgrownchildrenasababysitter.

Danielisgettingmorecuriousabouttheworldaroundhim. Youstillwanttobecarefulaboutgerms,soyouavoidintroducingDanieltonewpeople. YoubuyDanielsomenewbabytoysandwatchhowheplayswiththem. YoubringDanielalongtovisitseveralnewpeople(relativesandfriends).

8months: YourpartnerplayswithDanielonweekendsandintheeveningsaftergettinghomefromwork,buthemisses

someofDaniel'slittleachievements(suchaswhenhefirstsatup).Sortofasolution:buyadigitalcamcorder andhavethelivevideossenttohimatwork!

RecentlyDanielhasbeeninprettygoodhealth,exceptforoccasionalboutsofindigestionanddiarrhea.After thesebriefboutsareover,Danielisusuallyinterestedintryingnewfoods. YougiveDanieladifferentbabyfoodveggieandmeateverydaytoseewhichhelikes. Youwanttobecautious,soyouintroducenewbabyfoodveggiesandmeatsoneatatimeandforseveraldays inarowtoseeifDaniellikesit,andtoseeifhedigestsitwell. YoustartgivingDanielfoodfromthefamily'sdinnereachday,groundupandmixedtogetherusingababy foodgrinder.

Yourpartnerlosthisjobaboutamonthago,andyouarebothfeelingfinanciallydistressed.Therehavebeen argumentsovermoneyandprioritiesandyoubothfoundyourselftobemoreirritablewithDanielandtobe spendinglesstimeinrelaxingactivitieswithDanielforawhile.

Danielisshowingsignsofindependence,wantingtobeputdownsohecancrawl,andwantingtoexplorenew placesorthingsforlongerperiodsoftime.Yourtypicalreactionisto: restrainhimorhoveroverhim,becausetherearemanydangerousobjectsheistooyoungtoknowabout. checktheareaortoyoutforsafety,andthenlethimplayfreely,keepinganeyeonhimfromamoderate distance. allowhimtoplayfreely,anddiscoverwhichthingscanbefunorharmful(aslongastheyarenottoo harmful)becausehehastolearnaboutsafevs.dangerousobjects.

Youtrytheobjectpermanencetest.Danielisabletofindahiddenobject,aslongasyoudon'twaittoolongor distracthiminthemiddleofthesearch.Danielreallylikesthishidinggameandshowsbyhisinterestthat hewantsitrepeated.However,ifyouhidetheobjectinthesameplacerepeatedly,andthenchangethe hidingplace,Danielhasastrongtendencytolookintheoldhidingplace,andthengetconfusedaboutwhere theobjectis,orforgetaboutit.ThiscuriouserrorwasfirstdiscoveredbyPiaget,butresearchershavesome newexplanationsfortheerror.

YouwantDanieltoestablisharegularbedtimeandsleepthroughthenight.Youthinkhe'salmostthere.

Youmakesurehedoesn'ttaketoolongofanapinthelateafternoon.Youtrytotimeitsohe'llgetsleepy around8:00PM. YouputDanieldowninhiscribwellfedandwithcleandiapersatthesametimeeverynight,andignore cryingunlessitgoesonformorethantenminutessohewilllearntogotobedontime. YoumakesuretherearealotofinterestingactivitiesintheeveningtotireDanielout,andencouragea healthyappetiteforthelastmealoftheday,butyouareflexibleaboutbedtime,figuringDanielneedsto learntorecognizeonhisownwhenheissleepy.

YounoticethatDanielseemstohavelittlegoalsthatinvolvetwostepsofplanningahead,soyouencourage thesecognitiveadvancesby: encouragingDanieltopointtotoysthatareoutofreachsoyoucangetthemforhim,andencouragingDaniel tokeeptryingwhenthereisanobstacleyouknowhecanovercome. encouragingDanieltopronounceasyllableorwordinordertogetthetoyhewants. engaginginnormalsocialinteraction,wheretheseissuesareboundtocomeupfrequently,giventhe propensityofchildrentoexercisenewabilities.

RecentlyDanielhasbeeninverygoodhealth,andgenerallytoleratesbabyfoodswell.Danielisbeginningto beinterestedintryingnewsolidfoods,evenpizzacrusts! YougiveDanieladifferentbabyfoodveggieandmeateverydaytoseewhathelikes. Youwanttobecautious,soyouintroducenewbabyfoodveggiesandmeatsoneatatimeandforseveraldays inarowtoseeifDaniellikesit,andtoseeifhedigestsitwell. Youchoosetheblanderitemsfromthefamily'sdinnereachday,grindthemup,andmixthemtogethertosee howwellDaniellikesandtoleratesthem. Youchooseonenewveggie,pasta,ormeatdishfromthefamily'sdinner,andgrinditupinababyfood grinder.YoufeedittoDanielfortwoorthreedaysinarowtoobservetheresults.

Danielsometimescrieswhenyouputhimtobedatnighteventhoughheisobviouslysleepy.Youareusually exhaustedandhavetogetupearlythenextday.Howdoyoutypicallyhandlethesituation? YouinteractcalmlywithDanieluntilhelookssleepy,thenrockDanieluntilhefallsasleepregardlessofhow longittakes. Youaretootired,soifDanieldoesn'tgotosleepinafewminutes,youputhiminbedwithyouandyour

partner. YourockDanielforafewminutesandassoonashelookssleepyyouputhimdown.Youlethimfussandcry untilheisasleep. YoujustputDanielinhiscribandlethimcryhimselftosleepbecausebabiesneedtolearntosleepontheir own.

IthasbecomeclearthatDanielshowsapreferenceforyouoverothers(especiallywhendistressed),withyour partneraclosesecond.HowwillyourpartnerbecomeastrongerattachmentfigureforDaniel? Yourpartnerwillspendmoretimechangingdiapers,feeding,andplayingwithDaniel. YouarrangeforDanieltospendmoretimewithseveralcaregivers(grandma,babysitter,auntandthe neighbor)todevelophissocialskills.YoufeelthatiswhatDanielneedstobreakawayfromasingle attachmentwithyou. Yourpartnerwillbecomeanattachmentfigureinduetime,butrightnowDanielneedstofocusonyou.

Atthispoint,Danielislessphysicallyactivethanotherbabiesyouknow. Youleavewellenoughalone. YouareconcernedthatDanielmaynotbeexploringandlearningenough,soyoumakesuretoprovide stimulatingtoysandactivitieswheneverheisawake. YouletDaniel'sinterestsguideyou,anddependingonhismoodyouengageineitherquietorvigorous activities.

9months: AsDanielturns9months,thepediatricianhasthefollowingtosayafteraroutinephysicalexam,afewitems administeredfromtheBayleyScalesofInfantIntelligence,andsomeobservationsofDanielintheplayroom:

DanielhasanobviousattachmenttoMomandprefersheroverotherpeople,butseemstohavefunplaying withDad.Hewascautiousatfirstwiththenurseanddoctor,anormalreactiontostrangersatthisage.

Basedonyourreport,Danielisabletodigestnewfoodswell,sothedoctorrecommendsthatDanieleata varietyoffoodsfromthefamilydinner(groundup).

Danieliscautiousaroundnewpeopleandsituations,butwarmsupfairlyquicklytofriendlypeopleandto newandinterestingactivitiesandthenbeginstovocalizealotandmakeeyecontact.

Danielhadfairlymildtopositivereactionstomostofthesituationsandpeopleinthepediatrician'soffice andtheplayroom.Hecriedwhengiventhevaccination,butcalmeddownratherquickly.Theonlyproblem camewithabriefseparationfromMom,butthatwouldbeexpected.

Danielisadvancedinhisgrossandfinemotorskillsandenjoyscrawling,pullinguptostandand manipulatingobjects.

12months: VirtualChildusesfivedimensionsoftemperamenttodescribethechild'sbehaviorinthefirst30months. Thesedimensionsarerandomatbirth,areinfluencedbyyourquestionnaireresponses,andchangegradually overtimeinresponsetoeventsandparentingdecisions.Thefivedimensionsareactivity,sociability, emotionality,aggressivenessvs.cooperativeness,andselfcontrol.Thereisbehaviorgeneticandlongitudinal evidenceforvaryingnumbersoftemperamentaltraitsandthefivetraitsusedintheprogramareonalotof lists.Studiesalsoshowthattemperamentchangesinresponsetostrongenvironmentalpressures.

ACTIVITYreferstothephysicalandmentalenergylevelofthechild.Highlyactivechildrenmaysleepless, bemorerestless,andengageinmorephysicalactivity.Lessactivechildrenmaysleepmore,enjoyquiet pastimes,andshowlessinterestinvigorousphysicalactivity.

SOCIABILITYreferstothechild'sfriendlinessanddesireforsocialinteraction.Highlysociablechildrenare sometimesgiventhelabel"extroverted"andlesssociablechildrenthelabel"introverted."

EMOTIONALITYreferstotheintensityofemotionexperiencedbythechild.Highlyemotionalchildrenmay showmoreofeverything(anger,joy,sadness)andmorefluctuationinmoods.Lessemotionalchildrenmay showlessextremeemotionsandlessfluctuationoverperiodsoftime.

AGGRESSIVENESSVS.COOPERATIVENESSreferstothetendencyofthechildtobeaggressiveinsocial situationswiththeparent,daycareproviderorotherchildren.Highlyaggressivechildrenmaybequite

resistanttoparentaldemandsandthrowtantrumsorevenlashoutattheparentorotherchildren.Less aggressivechildrentendtobemorecooperative,ortowhineandfussratherthanactivelyresisttheparent. Researchindicatesthatboysaresomewhatmoreaggressivethangirls,butthereisagreatdealofoverlap betweenthesexes,andthisisreflectedinVirtualChild.

SELFCONTROLreferstothechild'sabilitytocontrolhisorherbehavior,delaygratification,planouta courseofaction,orinhibitresponsestoatypicalsituations.Thisisnotexactlythesamethingas aggressivenessoremotionality.Forexample,achildwithlowselfcontrolmighttakeacookiewhenaskedto wait,notoutofaspiritoflackofcooperation,butjustduetolowimpulsecontrol.Childrenwhoareextreme onthisdimensionmayfittypicalcriteriaforattentiondeficitdisorderwithhyperactivity.TheVirtualChild hasa5%chanceofhavingmoderatetoseverehyperactivityanda5%chanceofhavingmildhyperactivity.

GOODNESSOFFITisaconceptthatiscloselyrelatedtotemperament.Itreferstothetendencyofthe parenttoadapthis/herbehaviortothechild'stemperament.Forexample,supposeyouhaveaveryactive child,andyouaretryingtopromoteexplorationandlearning.Ratherthan"goingagainstthegrain"and attemptingtoquietthechilddowntolookatabookaboutbugs,youmightappealtothechild'sactivenature andchoosetogoonawalkandtalkaboutthebugsyousee.Goodnessoffitalsoappliestodevelopmental level.Forexample,at68monthsmostinfantsareatleastsomewhatanxiousaroundstrangers,soyouwould wanttointroducethechildtoanewpersongraduallyratherthanthrustingthechildintotheperson'sarms. Parentsdesiringtochangetheirchild'stemperament,orhelptheirchilddevelopaparticularskill,can benefitfromtheprincipleofgoodnessoffit,andtherelatedconceptofmoderatenovelty.Parentsdesiringto encouragegrowthintheirchildshouldintroducemoderatelynovelactivitiesandexperiences,because childrenaremorelikelytopayattentiontoandprofitfromsuchexperiences. Daniellearnedtowalkearly(9months),andevenknowshowtoclimb.Heisconstantlyintoeverything! Whenhedoessomethingdangerous,suchasrunningintothestreetorclimbingontothebackofthecouch, you: scoldhimangrilytoteachhimalessonaboutdangerousplaces. say"No!"removeDanielfromthesituation,andputhiminatimeoutplacetocalmhimdown. putonascaredface,speakinafrightenedvoice,hugDaniel,andtellhim"No!Youcangethurt!" spankhimtoteachhimalessonaboutdangerousplaces.

Daniel'sfirstbirthdayiscominginafewdays!Youinvitealltherelativesoverandthrowabigparty.

Danielgenerallyhaspositivereactionstonewfoodsandtolerateschangesinroutines.Heistypicallyina happyoratleastneutralmood,makingithardsometimestofigureoutifheishungry,tired,wet,etc.You: don'tdoanythingspecialordifferent. seekoutopportunitiestointroduceDanieltonewpeople,andplaysocialgameswithhimsuchas"peeka boo"or"hideandseek". typicallyletDanielplayforlongperiodsbyhimselfaslongasheiscontent,andyoucheckonhim occasionally. introducealotofnewtoysandpeopleinordertoreallygiveDanielaboostincognitiveandsocial development.

You,yourpartnerandDanielliketovisitgrandmaandgrandpa'shouseonweekends,andyouallhavea greattime.Daniellovestoplaywiththeirgentledog,andgetsalotofattentionfromgrandmaandgrandpa.

Danielisconstantlytryingtoexpandhismotorskillssoyou: takehimtoa"babygym",wherethereareslides,tubestocrawlthrough,barstohangon,andsmall trampolinestoplayon. encourageDanieltoexplorethepark,wheretherearelittlehillstorunupanddown,aswellasslidesand sandpiles. constructallkindsofinterestingthingsathome,suchasboxestocrawlthrough,rampstocrawlandwalkon, andwheeledtoystopusharound.

Atninemonthsold,Danielbegantounderstandafewwordsandpointtosomethinghewanted.Attwelve monthsold,Danielnowclearlyunderstandsacoupleofdozenwords.Infact,Danieljustrecentlypronounced hisfirstclearwordandpointedattheobjectinquestion....

Wasit"Mom"?Wasit"Dad"?No,itwasthenameofyourparents'dog!

Danielisabletoimitatenewwordsandactionsnow,soyoufocuson: teachinghimnewwords,andreinforcinghimforpronouncingthemcorrectly.

teachinghimnewmotorskills,suchasdrinkingfromacup,turningpagesinbooks,etc. communicatingnaturally,andlettingDanieldecidewhattoimitateandwhatnot. modelinginterestingnewbehaviorandwords,andpraisingDanielwhenheimitatesyou.

Yourpartnergotanewjobafterlookingfor2monthsandthelocation,hoursandpayareslightlybetter.The threeofyouhaveacelebration,andDaniellaughsandhasagoodtimeeventhoughhedoesn'tknowwhat thepartyisabout.

Whenstrangerscometovisit,theythinkDanielisreallycutesotheywanttoholdDaniel.Danielusually startscryingifthepersontriestogettooclose.However,aftermeetingapersontwoorthreetimes,you noticethatDanielisstaringatthepersonandmanagesashysmile.Typicallyyou: immediatelyletthenewpersonholdDanielbeforehispositivemoodhasachancetochange. stayclosetoDanielandlethimgraduallygetusedtothepersonandmakehisownchoicesaboutinteracting withthem. smileandconversewiththepersonandgraduallyencourageDanieltobefriendlier,butdon'tputany pressureonDaniel. Youtrytheobjectpermanencetestagain.Thistime,Danielisabletofindtheobjectevenafterlongdelays andseemstothinkthisisagreatgame!Yousetuptwohidingplacesfortheobjectandhideitunderoneof thetwocoversrepeatedly.Whenyouswitchittothesecondhidingplace,henolongerhastheproblemyou sawearlierofsearchingatthemorecommonofthetwohidingplaces.Youcan'teventrickhimbyhidingitin yourhand.Daniellikesthisgameandwantstoplayitoverandover.

Danielhaslatelybeeninverygoodhealthandseemstobegettingmoreresistanttocoldslately. Youdon'tdoanythingspecial. Youallowhimtomeetmorepeople,asyouarenotasworriedaboutgermsasyouhavebeen. YougiveDanielachoiceofseveralnutritiousfoodstoeatatbreakfastanddinnertime,allowinghimto exploreandmakeuphisownmindaboutwhattoeat. Everyweek,youfeedhimaccordingtoa"mealplan"whichincludesabalanceddietofnutritiousfood.If Danieldoesn'tliketheitemoftheday,youtrytopersuadehimtoeatit.

Danielenjoysthrowingeverytoyoutofhiscribandwatchingwhathappens.Danielseemstoexpectyouto

keepputtingthemback! Youpickupthetoysafewtimes,butdon'twantDanieltolearntomanipulateyou,soyoustopresponding afterthefirstfewtimes. Youplayalongwiththegameofpickingupthetoysandgivingthembackbecauseyourealizethisisan importantmethodforDanieltoexploretheworld,anddiscoverasenseofindividualmastery. YouusethisasanopportunitytoworkonDaniel'slanguageskills,bycommentingoneachtoy(e.g.,"Whoops, theregoesthetoykitty!").

Danielandyouseemtobegettingmoreandmoreinsync.Danielishappierandmorewillingtotrynew thingswhenyouarearound.You: recognizetheseassignsofasecureattachment,andstartworkingonDaniel'sattachmenttoyourpartner. recognizetheseassignsoftoomuchdependenceonthepartofDaniel,andencouragehimtobemore independent. trytograduallygetDanieltotoleratelongerandlongerabsencesfromyouinordertopreparehimfor preschool. andyourpartnerprovidetheamountofsupportyouthinkDanielneedswhentryingnewactivities.

18months: Danielcaughtacoldaweekagoandnowhasapainfulearachethatrequiresimmediateattention.The doctorgivesyoueardropsforthepain,butsaysthereisnoclearevidencethatantibioticsarebeneficial.The earachehastendedtoreoccuroverthepastmonthorso,andeveryoneisblearyeyedandirritableduetothe numberoftimesDanielwakesupcryingatnight.

Althoughsomeneighborsmovedaway,anewneighborwithalittleboyclosetoDaniel'sagehasmovedin. YouletDanielandthenewneighborchild,whosenameisCharlie,hangouttogetheralotinoneortheother apartment. Youdon'tthinkDanielisreadyforextensiveplaywithotherkidssoyouletthemplayforshortperiodsof timeunderadultsupervision. Youencouragethemtoplayquiteoften,butonlyinyourapartment,soyoucankeepasharpeyeonthemand makesureDanielisnotactingtooaggressive.

Danielhasshownsomeinterestingnewbehavior.Heactsshywhenlookinginthemirror,usestheword"me" alot,andwantstodothingshimself.Youthinkthenewbehaviorisasignofselfawareness,andyouhaveto decidewhatthebalancewillbebetweenallowingDanieltobeindependentandteachinghimtofollowyour rules.

YouknowthatbyagetwoandahalfDanielneedstobetoilettrainedfordaycare/preschool.Youbuyapotty chair,trainingpants,andalittlestorybookaboutachildlearningtousethepotty. Tospeedthingsup,youbegintoscoldhimforsoileddiapers,andsaythatyouwanthimtowearthetraining pantsandusethepotty. Youwaitforhimtoshowaninterestinthepottyandpantsbeforesayingthatyouwanthimtolearntouse them. Youputhimonthepottyabouteveryhalfhourwhileathome,andpraisehimlavishlyifhehappensby chancetourinateordefecate. Youpraisehimforsmallstepssuchastryingonthetrainingpantsandsittingonthepottychair,evenif nothing"happens".

Danielisveryinterestedinmusic,andoftendancesinrhythmtoyourfavoritemusic,andtriestoclapor singalongwithsongsthatyousingorthatareplayedonTV.Youteachhimsomeshortlittlepreschoolsongs andenjoydancingormovingaroundtogethertomusic.

Danielsometimestakesonproblemsthataretoodifficultforhisagelevel.Whenhegetsfrustrated,he usuallyfindsawaytogetyouinvolvedbeforehisfrustrationbuildsuptoomuch. Youresistgettinginvolvedunlessheisveryupset,asyoudon'twanthimtorelytoostronglyonyoutosolve littleproblems. Yougetinvolvedintheactivity,andshowDanielhowtosolvetheproblem. Yousmileencouragingly,andsay"keeptrying!" Youshowaninterestinwhatheisdoing,andgivehelpfulhintswhenDanielasksforhelp.

Danielhasatremendousdrivetousehismotorskills.YouhavetokeepaneyeonDanielbecausehewill quicklytoddleoffintothecrowdatpublicplacesorevenintothestreet!

Danielsometimeslikestoexplorethedifferentwaysthattoysandblockscanbestackedormanipulated,and sometimesjuststacksthemthesamewayoverandoveragain. Youlethimplayaslongasheisinterested,andsometimesshowhimnewwaysofmanipulatingthetoys. Whenhegetsboredyoulethimdecidewhattodonext. Yourecognizesomeofthisbehaviorasatertiarycircularreaction,andtheminutehegetsboredyou introduceanewtoytokeepitgoing. Youwatchwithinterest,andassoonashegetsbored,youarereadywithanewtoyorbuildingmaterial.You oftendemonstratehowtouseit,appealingtohisnaturalimitationprocesses.

YouareshowingDanielhowtotakecareofthegrowingnumberofplantsyouhaveonthesunnybalconyof yourapartment.Fortunatelythebalconyischildsafe,andthereisnodangerofDanielfalling.

YounoticethatDanielislessclingylately,andoftenwantstobeputdowntoexploreratherthantobeheld. Hisfavoriteplacestoventureoutaretheparkandthestore. YoubegintoworryDanielisbecominglesssecurelyattachedandresolvetoholdhimmoreoften,evenifhe doesn'twanttobeheld. Yourecognizethisasanormalpatternofincreasingindependence,andyouleavehimaloneunlessheasks foryourattention. Yourecognizethisasanormalpattern,andcontinuetoprovidesupportverballyandbydisplaying sympatheticorapprovingfacialexpressions. Youfeelunwanted,andbegintofeelsomewhatdepressed.

YouhavestartedtoleaveDanielwithasitterforshortperiodsduringthedaywhileyouworkorrunerrands. Danielgreetsthesitterenthusiastically,butgetsupsetwhenyouleave.ThesittersaysthatDanielcalms downafteryouleave.Whatshouldyoudo? NothingasthisisnormalforachildofDaniel'sage. YoushouldstayuntilDanielcalmsdown,evenwhenthismakesyoulateforappointments. YoushouldreassureDanielthatitwon'tbelong,andtellhimwhereandwhyyouaregoing. Youdecidethebabysitterisnotskilledenoughsoyouswitchtoanewone.

YouarealittleconcernedthatDanielstillcommunicateswithgestures,andseemstohaveavocabularyof

onlytenwordsatthispoint.Hemostlyusesactionwordssuchas"up"and"outside"(meaning"Iwanttogo outside"). Youdon'ttalktoDanieltoomuch,anduseshortsentenceswhenyoudoinordernottoconfuseorirritate him. YouhavelotsofonesidedconversationswithDanielasyouandDanielgoaboutyourdailybusiness. YouaskDanielalotofquestionsandwaitexpectantlyforareplyorsomeactiononhispart.

Danielsometimesprefersquietactivitiesinhisroom,andsometimeslikesmoreactivegamesorsports. YouandyourpartnerencourageDanielinphysicalactivities,suchasplayingcatch,climbingthejunglegym orkickingaballaround. YouencouragethequietgamesbecauseyouthinkitpromotescognitiveskillsandwillhelpDanieladjustto preschoolbetter. YougoalongwithwhateverDanielisinterestedindoingatthemoment,andsometimesintroducenew gamesoractivities.

Danieltendstobeslowtowarmuptonewpeople,butisoutgoingandfriendlywithfamiliarpeople. YouintroduceDanieltonewsocialsituationsinsmalldosesandmakesuretogoslowly.Youaresuretogive himtimetogetusedtothenewpeople. Youtakehimouttoparticipateinnewactivities,andtomeetnewadultsandchildrenasoftenaspossible. Thevarietyofexperiencesshouldbestimulating. YoukeeptakingDanieltothesameplaygroupsohehasachancetobuildsomerelationshipswithotherkids andadults. Youkeephimathomeorwithasmallnumberoffamiliarpeople,figuringthathewillgrowoutofthe shynessintime.

Danielisusuallycalmandcheerfulandseemstotolerateminorproblems(hunger,fatigue,stress)easily. Asaresult,youareabletostayprettycalmandcheerfulyourself,andyoucandealwithDaniel'soccasional upsetsbysoothingordistractinghim. YoutrynottointroduceanyunnecessarystressintoDaniel'slifebystickingtoaveryregularandpredictable routine,andavoidinganynovelgamesoractivities. Youkeeptoaprettyregularroutine,butwhenDanielisinthemood,youtrysomenewactivities.

Danielhasrecentlybecomeresistantsometimestoyourrequestsforcooperation.Forexample,hesays"no," orrefusesthingsthatheacceptedbeforesuchasfoodorbathtime. YourecognizeDanielneedstohavefirmlimitsandinsistalwaysthathedowhatyouask. YourecognizeDanielneedstohavefirmlimits,explainthatyouneedhis"help,"andlethimdecidebetween twochoices(bothofwhicharethingsyouwanthimtodo!) YourealizethisisanormalbuttemporaryphaseandletDanielhavehiswaymostofthetime. Youarefeelingstressed,anditisanefforttokeepregularbathandbedtimes.SoyouletDanielhavehisway untilit'sabsolutelynecessaryforbath,bedormealtime,andthenyouinsistoncooperation.

19months: Danielisabletoimitateactionsorwordsthathehasseenorhearddaysbefore.Thisgreatlyexpandshis abilitytolearnnewthings.Danielalsoseemstobeawareofbasiccategories,suchasbigorlittle,andblueor red.Youcantellbecauseofthewayheissortinghistoys.

ThepreschoolthatyouareconsideringforDanielofferslowpriceddevelopmentalassessments.Danielis abletoenrollwhenhebecomesreasonablywellpottytrained.Heis19monthsoldnow.Justtofindouthow Daniel'sdevelopmentcomparestootherchildrenofhisageatthispoint,youhaveanassessmentdone.The earlychildhoodspecialistobservesDanielinfreeplaywithotherkidsanddoesalittletestingofcognitive skills.Shereportsthefollowing:

Afterhegotwarmedup,Danielseemedtogetalongverywellwiththeotherkids,andwasunusually cooperativeforachildofhisage.TheexaminerthoughtthatDanielwouldadaptwelltothepreschool environment.

ThespecialistsaiditwasclearthatDanielhadastrongandsecureattachmenttoMomandwasbeginningto developsuchanattachmenttoDad.Sherecommended"keepdoingwhateveryouaredoing"anddon'tbe afraidforDadtobeinvolvedmoreindaytodaycare,feeding,etc.

ThespecialistthoughtthatDanielwasslowtowarmuptonewsituationswithadults,butthatifyougave himtime,heusuallycamearound.

Danielwascheerfulthroughouttheplaysessionsandtheexaminationsessionandrarelybecametenseor emotionalduringtheperiodofobservation.

Danielscoredataboutthe1215montholdrangeintermsofcommunicationskill,languagecomprehension, andlanguageproduction.TheexaminerrecommendedthatyouspendmoretimetalkingwithDaniel,evenif hisrepliesareshortorhardtounderstand.Shealsorecommendedaskingquestionsthatrequiresomekind ofextendedanswer(ratherthanjust"yes"or"no"),andlookingatandnamingthingsinpicturebooks,etc.

Danielwasageappropriateontaskssuchasbuildingablocktowertomodelonemadebytheexaminerand otherspatialskillssuchascopyingshapes,coloringwithinthelinesandsolvingpicturepuzzles.

Danielwasadvancedinhisgrossmotorskills.TheexaminerrecommendedthatyouexposeDanieltoa varietyofindoorandoutdooractivitiesandlethisinterestsbetheguideastowhattopursue.

TheexaminercommentedthatDanielwasabletoconcentrateverywellduringalloftheinformaltesting, andifthiscontinues,hewouldbemorethanreadyforpreschooltypeactivities,whichtypicallyrequire childrentostayontaskorremainin"grouptime"for1015minutes.ShealsorecommendedgettingDanielto followsimpledirectionsathome,graduallyincreasingthecomplexityandlengthofthedirections.

RequiredQuestions A)HowdoesyourbabysdevelopmentaldomainscomparetotheDevelopmentalMilestonespatterns?Isit typical?Supportwithexamples. Frombirthto19months,Daniel'sdevelopmentaldomainscomparedtotheDevelopmental Milestonesareidentical.Infact,accordingtotheexaminer,Danielis'morethanreadyforpreschooltype /activities'.Thisisatypicaldevelopment. B)Identifyspecifichealthandsafetyconsiderationsthatyouwillhavetoconsiderduringtheinfantyears. Howwillyouaddresstheseissues? Duringhisearlyyears,Iavoiddirectcontactwithnewpeople.Lateronwhenhisimmunesystemis strongenougharound8months,Iallowotherstobearoundhim.Ikepttrackonhisdietofwhatnutrientshe needstotakeandwhattypesoffoodshelikes.Forsafetyenvironmentinthehome,Iuseverbal

communication.Forexample,whenDanielwas12months,heclimbedupbehindthesofa.Iputonascared faceandinafrightenedvoicetellinghimNo!Youcangethurt!.Thisistoshowthechildthatifthemother reactedwrong(inawaythatdoesn'thurtthechild)thebabywillgetthemessagethatit'swrongwhathe's doing.

Toddler
24months: Theeconomyisinadownturn,andunfortunatelyyourpartnerhasbeenlaidoff.Thereisnoimmediate prospectofarehire.Hedecidestogobacktoschoolformoreadvancedtraining.Thefamilyfinancesare takingarealhitandyouhavehadtomoveintoatwobedroomapartmentinapoorersectionoftown.You havetakenonaparttimejobtomakeupforthefinancialproblems,andwhileyouareatwork,Danielis goingtoafamilydaycarehomethatisnotthebest,butallthefamilycanaffordatthispoint.Youbothare feelingstressedout.

Danielhastroublegettingtosleepinhisroom,andcriesifyouleavehimaloneintheroom.Youhavetaken toreadinghimanextrabedtimestory,rubbinghisbackorholdinghishandtohelpDanielrelaxandgetto sleep.You: decidetoletDanielcryhimselftosleeptohelphimlearnmoreselfcontrol. decidethisisanormal(andhopefullytemporary)patternfora2yearoldandcontinueitbutfindyou sometimesfallasleeponhisflooroutofsheerfatigueandwakeupfeelingcramped. warnDanielthatthisisonlytemporaryandthatyouaregoingtostopdoingitsoonsohehastolearntogo tosleeponhisown. encourageDanieltogetbywithjustonestoryandshorterandshorterbackrubs,andgivehimarewardthe nextdayforgettingtosleepinatimelyfashion.

YounoticethatDanielhassomenewemotionsoverthepastfewmonths.Somethingsyouhavenoticedare shysmileswhenaskedtobeinphotographs,lookingguiltywhenhebreakssomething,andembarrassment whenhehasapottyaccident.Yourealizethesenewemotionsarerelatedtohisdevelopingselfawareness. Danielisgettingmuchbetterlatelyatplayinghideandseekandatsearchingforthingsaroundthehouse. Youplaylotsofhideandseekgames.Amusingly,whenyoufindagoodspottohideyourself,Danielusesthat forhimselftheverynextturn!

YouthinkDanielisstillegocentric(can'ttakeotherpeople'sperspectives)andthatisthesourceofthis adorablebehavior. WhenDanielissearchingforlosttoys,books,etc.,youtrytohelphimbydemonstratingsimplesearchrules, suchasstartwhereyoulastsawtheobject,lookinalloftheplaceswhereitisusuallyfound,etc. Youhaveacleversolution:DadwillbetheseekerandMomthecohiderwhoremindsDanielthatheneedsto findaNEWplaceDaddoesn'tknowabout.

Danielhasbeenridinghis"hotwheels"tricyclealotlately,butrecentlyhasavoideditcompletelybecauseof ascaryaccidentinwhichhewentoffacurbintheparkandgotscratchedup.Youdon'tpushDanieltoget backonthetricycle.Youfigurehewillgetbackonitwhenheisready.

Danielenjoysplayingwitharealistictwostorydollhouseandaminidollfamilythatyouinheritedfromyour greatAunt,andlikestosetuptheroomstobelikesomeoftheroomsinyourhouse. Youdiscouragethiskindofplaybecauseyoudon'twantDanieltoplaywithdolls. Younotethatthiskindofplayrepresentsahigherlevelofsymbolicthinking,andencourageDanieltoplay withthedollhouse. YoujoininwithDanielandencouragehimtoactoutlittlescenesinthedollhousewiththefamilyofdolls.

AsidebenefitofDad'slayoffandenrollmentinadvancedschoolingisthathehasmoretimetohangoutwith Daniel.Moneyistight,butDadandDanielhavefunininexpensiveactivitieslikegoingtothezoo,the pettingfarm,thechildren'smuseumsandthepark.

Danielseemsnowtohaveagoalofbecomingpottytrainedandmakesittothepottyabout60%ofthetime.A coupleofotherparentsyouknowwerebraggingthattheir2yearoldwasalreadypottytrained. YoutrytoguideDanielbyinvolvinghiminthecleanupofaccidents,andbypraisingandgivinghimstickers forsuccessfultripstothepotty. YoutrytogiveDanielafirmerpushinthedirectionofpottytrainingbyscoldinghimmildlyforsoiled diapersoranaccidentonthefloor,andprovidingpraiseandlittlestickerswhenhesucceeds. YoutalktoDanielalotaboutpottytraining,butleavethechoiceuptohimastowhentousethepotty. YouallowDanieltodeveloppottytrainingathisownpaceanddon'tprovideanythingotherthanverbal praiseforsuccess.

Danielgoesregularlytoa"Mommyandme"toddlerplaygroupatthecommunitycenter(Dadsare sometimesthere,too!).Thegroupgotanewleaderrecently,andsincethenDanielhasbeenclingingand uncooperative. Youthinkthisisjustatemporaryproblem,soyoudon'tdoanythingspecial. YouandyourpartnergiveDanielmoreaffectionandencouragementbothathomeandintheplaygroup. YouandyourpartnerbecomestricterwithDaniel,givingoutarewardforgoodbehavior,andscoldinghimor removinghimfromthegroupforthedayformisbehavior. YouandyourpartnertellDanielinadvancewhatyouwanthimtodoandifheshowsanimprovement,you praisethepositivebehaviorandignorethenegativebehavior.

Daniel'scommunicationskillsaregrowing,butyouareconcernedthathedidnotstartcombiningwordsin twowordsentencesuntiljustrecently,andmuchofhiscommunicationisstillwithgesturesandgrunts. Danielsometimesdoesn'tseemtounderstandsimpleinstructions,suchas"Putthecupinthesink." YougiveDanielverbalandfoodrewardsforrespondingcorrectlytoyourdirections,andpraisehimformore complexsentences,inanefforttospeeduplanguagedevelopment. YougothroughafewofDaniel'sfavoritepicturebooksrepeatedlyandDanielislearningtosaythenamesof variousanimalsandcommonobjectsinthepictures. YouconverseregularlywithDanielandyoualwaystrytomakeyourspeechjustslightlymorecomplexthan Daniel's,butnottoomuchmorecomplex.

Danielwashavingproblemsafewweeksagowiththetransitioninthetoddlerplaygroupleader.His behaviorisnolongeraproblem.YouandyourpartnerwanttooptimizetheexperienceforDaniel,soyou: aretalkingwiththenewplaygroupleaderfairlyoftenandhelpinghertounderstandDaniel'spersonality andneeds. spendmoretimewithDanielintheeveningsoronweekendstoincreasehisattachmentsecurity. aremonitoringhowDanielactsintheplaygroupandgivinghimfeedbackonpositiveaswellasnegative behavior. aregoingtotrytomakeplaydateswithsomeoftheotherkidsinthegroupsothatDanielwillgettoknow themabitbetter.

Danielhasbeenveryhealthythepastcoupleofmonths,withonlyonemildcold. Youwanttokeepitthatway,soyoumakesureDanielwasheshishandsbeforeandafterplayingwithother children. Youthinkexerciseisgoodforhealth,appetiteandsleeping,soyoutrytogetDanieloutwalkingorplaying everytimetheweatherisfine. YoucontinuetomakesureDanielgetsenoughrestandsleepandgivehimmultivitaminsandavarieddietto keephisimmunesystemstrong.

Danielhasaverycloserelationshipwithbothyouandyourpartnerandhasbeenexploringgreaterand greaterdistancesfromyou,smilingandrunningbacktosharelittlethingswithyou. YoupushDanieltobemoreindependentbyignoringsomeofhisbidsforcontactandassistance. YouarepleasedwiththisstateofaffairsandjusthavefunwithDaniel. YoufeelyouareinsynchwithDanielemotionally,andyoucontinuetobesensitivetoDaniel'svaryingneeds forindependenceandattention.

Danielfollowsthehouseholdrulesandroutinesprettywellexceptforanoccasionalslipup.Hedoesn'tseem toneedalotsupportandguidancetogetbasicthingsdone,suchasbrushinghisteeth.Tokeepthegood behaviorgoing,you: askDanielwhatiscomingnext(e.g.,bathtime),andenlisthishelp,andpraisehimforhelping. YouofferDanielsomesmallrewardsifheisabletocompleteanactivity,suchasgettingreadyforbed,and graduallyincreasethecomplexityoftheactivity. Youdon'tfeelyouneedtoprovidepraiseandreinforcement,butyouputDanielintimeoutfortheoccasional lackofcooperation. YoulightenuponDaniel,becauseyouthinkyouhavebeentoostrict,andyoudon'twanttoputDanielina badmood.

2yearsand6months: Danielistoilettrainednow,andrarelyhasanyaccidents.Heiscommunicatingbetter,buthasdifficulty understandingotherpeople'sperspectives.Danielknowshisgendernow,andhasbeguntocategorize behaviorandobjectsassuitedtoboysorgirls.Heprefersplayingwithboys,butgetsalongprettywellwith girls.Youfigureheisreadyforamorestructuredpreschoolexperience.

Danielcanrememberrecentexperiencesandprovidesimpledescriptionsofwhathappens,suchasatripto thepettingzooortheamusementpark.Youareimpressedthathismemoryisworkingsowell,andyou suspectthathehashadtheabilitytoremembertheseexperiencesforquitesometime,buthasn'thadthe abilitytoexpressituntilrecently.

Youjustfoundoutyouarepregnant!YouareholdingoffontellingDanielforawhileuntilthepregnancy becomemorenoticeable.Butsoonerorlateryou'llhavetofacetheinevitablequestionof3yearoldinquiring minds:"howdidthebabygetinthere?"

Danielisgoingtobestartinginanewpreschoolprogramsoon,soyoutakeadvantageofthefactthata friendofyoursisanearlychildhooddevelopmentspecialist.YouaskhertoevaluateDaniel,whois21/2 yearsold.ThespecialistevaluatesDaniel'slanguage,motorandcognitiveskillsusingsomedevelopmental scales,andobservesDanielinteractingwithotherchildreninatoddlerplaygroup.Thisisherreport:

Danielwassomewhathesitantinthegroupofchildrenandspentafewminuteswatchingthembefore joiningin.Afterawhilehelatchedontoacoupleoftheotherchildrenandhadagoodtime.Bytheendofthe sessiontheyweresmilingandimitatingeachother.

Danielwasgenerallynotveryaggressivewiththeotherkids,butwouldsometimessay"Mine!"iftherewasa toybothchildrenwanted.However,Danielwouldusuallysmileandgiveupthetoyafewmomentslaterand seekoutadifferenttoy.ThespecialistsaidthatDanielwasreadyforpreschoolalreadyintermsofaggressive behavior.

Danieltackledchallengingtasksreadilyandwithapositiveattitude.Theexaminercommentedthathewas unusuallypersistentinthefaceoffailureforhisage.

Daniel'sscoresonmeasuresoflanguagecomprehensionandproductionwerebelowaverage.Hisfreespeech wasstillmissingsomecommongrammaticalfeatures,suchasthepasttense,presentprogressiveandplural. ThespecialistrecommendedthatyouspendalotmoretimeconversingaboutthingsofinteresttoDaniel, takingmoreoutings,etc.

Danielisaboveaverageinsolvingproblemswithmorethantwosteps,andgroupingobjectstogetherin categories.ThespecialistrecommendedthatyourespondtoDaniel'sinterests,whetheritbebuildingthings, learningaboutanimals,goingtothechildren'ssciencemuseum,etc,andthatyouencourageDanieltothink aboutthingsbyaskingquestions(e.g.,atthezoo,youcouldask"whatisthemonkeydoing",togetDanielto focusonandtalkabouttheanimal'sbehavior).

Heisintheaveragerangeincopyingshapeswithapencil,workingwithpicturepuzzlesandconstructing thingsoutofblocks.ThespecialistrecommendedofferingDanielarangeoftheseactivitiestochoosefrom andtogowiththeonesthatseemedofmostinteresttohim.

Danielwasaboveaverageonnearlyallgrossmotorskills,suchasclimbing,throwingandcatchingaball, balancing,andskippingandenjoyedtheseactivitiesquiteabit.Theadvicewastocontinuetheseactivities, emphasizingDaniel'sinterestsandfocusingonhavingfunwiththem.

Danielwasabletofocusonthetasksgivenbytheexaminerfortheentire40minutesession.Theexaminer saidthiswasunusuallygoodfortheage.SherecommendedthatyouaskDanieltocarryoutmoreandmore complexdailytasks(suchasgettingdressed)andreadlongerstoriesinpreparationforpreschool.

RequiredQuestions A)Howisyourchildprogressingbasedontypicaltoddlerdevelopment?Givespecificexamplesinall developmentaldomains. Danielat24months,isintypicaldevelopment.Heshowedaggressivebehaviourbutcontrolled, brusheshisteeth,enjoysstories,uses23wordsentencespointstoeyes,ears,ornosewhenasked.Danielis belowaverageonmeasuresoflanguagecomprehensionandproductionbutaboveaverageinsolving problemswithmorethantwosteps,andgroupingobjectstogetherincategories.

B)Havetherebeenanyenvironmentaleventsinyourchild'sfirst2yearsthatyouthinkmighthave influencedhis/herbehaviouranddevelopment?Doesthiscreateanyhealthorsafetyconcernsforyour toddler?Pleaseexplain! Danielistoilettrained.Heknowshisgender,andhasbeguntocategorizebehaviorandobjectsas

suitedtoboysorgirls.Heprefersplayingwithboys,butgetsalongprettywellwithgirls.Danielcan rememberrecentexperiencesandprovidesimpledescriptionsofwhathappens,suchasatriptothepetting zooortheamusementpark.I'mpregnant!I'mholdingoffontellingDanielforawhileuntilthepregnancy becomemorenoticeable.ButsoonerorlaterI'llhavetofacetheinevitablequestionof3yearoldinquiring minds:"howdidthebabygetinthere?"