Long and lean
By Diane Ako
Olivia turned two years old in June, and watching her run around the living room, it recently struck me how much my once chubby little baby is getting longer and leaner. What happened to the cute fat feet? The puffy ankles? Aww, goodbye babyhood!
July 2007
That also probably means it's time to trim the fat! The doctor reminded me that after her second birthday, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents reduce their child's fat intake to less than 30 percent of their daily calories. I'm the main grocery shopper in my household, so I'm making sure to buy low-fat milk, and low-fat versions of cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.
She's already starting to look more and more like a big kid, as her limbs get longer and her torso stretches out. The average two year old will gain about two and a half inches and five pounds this year.
I was having pangs about my baby growing up, when my friend and co-anchor Howard Dashefsky consoled me that it's all good. "They leave one stage, but the next one is cooler and funner," he said. That makes me feel better, but I just hope she always wants to hold my hand.
Tell me: what was your experience with your child's growing up? What kinds of fun things are in store for the next age?
Small Talk
June 26th, 2009 at 8:33 am
My 17 year old nephew is a sweety and will still hold me hand still in public. He is not afraid to show people he loves his family. Both of my nieces (17 and 13) will still hold my hand sometimes too. I love it!!
June 26th, 2009 at 11:44 am
My son turned 2 in April and my wife and I have noticed the exact same changes. He's tall, lean and his belly has shrunk.
June 26th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
hi diane! I have 2 daughters 28 and soon to be 22. Kids are like a sponge as they are always looking to absorb information and experiences. Expose them to good music(mozart) and read to them often. make sure they can see the words too as your read. If the book has pictures, point to the words as you read them as they may focus on the picture only. Your daughter may start wanting to help with cooking and household chores. At terrible two, their favorite word is "no". Have fun, those are some good times. Wish they could stay kids forever.
June 27th, 2009 at 7:46 am
Granddaughter will be two in August and it has been a joy to watch her development. Nothing earth shattering, but yesterday she was by herself in the living room stacking alphabet blocks and went up to six...six blocks! I was watching her from the stairs as she kept trying to stack as many as she could, carefully placing one on top of each other, and slightly adjusting the blocks to align them. She had enough patience and interest to do this for a few minutes even after they kept tumbling down. I think her attention span is typical for her age but sometimes something will interest her and will concentrate on that activity for a while...I find that very fascinating.
She has a very smiling, laughing personality and I hope that continues to the next age. She loves to give hugs and to hold your hand which is nice. Well, my adult kids don't hold my hand anymore but will give a hug once in a while and that is nice too.
June 28th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I first began dating my now husband 8 years ago and met my stepson when he was 4. I loved singing with him (our favorites were Hakuna Matata and Puff the Magic Dragon), and he used to tell me all the time (like 5 times a day) that he loved me. He used to wear the cutest pajamas as well!
Now he's 12 and all that's gone, though he still does reply "you too" when I tell him that I love him before he goes to bed. I think the best thing about him growing older is watching him grow into his own person and becoming more independent, while being able to have true meaningful conversations with him that I know he understands and will grow from.
June 29th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Say Kristen, that is soooo cool. Does he call u mom? And don't worry, by 12, they don't want to be seen with their parents. My kid had no choice as she was my student. The other students called me Mr. but she always called me dad.
July 1st, 2009 at 10:15 am
HI appagom, Boy don't I know it. Favorite word "no." That's all I hear!!!!