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Conception
Bonnie and Tony, a newly married couple in Seattle, WA, had sexual intercourse without using any type of birth control. -
Heartbeat
Bonnie heard her embryo's heartbeat for the first time at the doctor's office and realized that she was pregnant. -
Ultrasound
Bonnie had an ultrasound and an amniocentesis test. The test came back normal.
The fetus at this time had started to develop fingernails and toenails and tastebuds. Sex hormores have been released and the genitals are forming. Bonnie and Tony opted not to know the sex of their baby. -
Kicking
Tony felt the kicks coming from Bonnie's fetus. -
Mother's Cravings.
Bonnie craved french fries and watermelon. She listened to a lot of Motown. -
Water Breaks
Bonnie's water broke late in the evening. -
Hospital
Tony drove Bonnie to the labor room in the morning, but there weren't any more contractions. Bonnie was put on Pitocin to encourage them. Bigger contractions began around 6pm, and Bonnie's membrane was ruptured around 10pm. Bonnie was brought to the delivery room around midnight. -
Birth
I was born at 1:18am weighing 7 pounds and 14 ounces. I was 21 inches in length. I didn't cry immediately, but I did when spanked. I was healthy. -
Infancy Physcial Development (Sleep Through Night)
I slept through the night, a full seven hours. -
Infancy Social and Emotional Development (Smile)
My dad gave his new daughter a white rose for Valentine's Day, and I thanked him with my first real smile. This is called a "social smile." -
Infancy Physical Development (Hold head up)
I held my head up on my own, but was still slightly shaky. -
Infancy Cognitive Development (Identify name and follow)
I follow my mother across the room with my eyes and look up when I hear my name. -
Infancy Cognitive Development (Reaching)
I reached for and batted at the plastic keys hanging over my crib repeatedly.
This is identified under "Substage 3: Secondary circular reactions" of Piaget's theory of Sensormotor Substages (Arnett 149) as a child begins to understand how his/her activity causes reactions in the immediate environment. -
Infancy Emotional and Social Development (Attachment)
For Bonnie's birthday, Tony took her out to dinner, and I am left with a babysitter for the first time. I reached out and cried to Bonnie as she left but did fine with the new babysitter. This shows secure attachment. -
Infancy Physical and Cognitive Development (Sucking)
I discovered my mouth and put everything I can in it to taste and understand them. This shows growth in fine motor skills as I learned to pick things up.
This also demonstrates "Substage 2: First Habits and primary circular reactions" in Piaget's Sensormotor Theory (Arnett 149) as the child utilizes purposeful behavior repeatedly focused on her/his own body. -
Infancy Physical Development (Solid Foods)
I had my first rice cereal, and most of it ended up on my face. -
Infancy Physical Development (Held spoon)
I held a spoon by myself. -
Toddler Cognitive Development (First Words)
I said, "Da-dee." -
Infancy Physical Development (First Lower Teeth)
My central incisors appeared. This may account for why I had been so fussy for a while and not sleeping through the night. I liked to eat popsicles of frozen, pureed yams to numb my gums. -
Infancy Physical Development (Growth)
Mary is now 29.5 inches (in the 94%) and 18 pounds (in the 50%). -
Infancy Physical Development (Crawling)
I started truly crawling around, as opposed to the belly crawl I had been doing for the past This shows growth in gross motor skills. -
Toddler Physical Development (Walking)
I walked by myself for the first time. -
Toddler Cognitive Development (First Sentence)
I said, "Hi Dadee!" -
Toddlerhood Physical Development (Dancing and Play)
I danced around a lot, clapping and spinning and bouncing. I played in the dirt with my shovel and pail, threw around a bouncy ball, or rode my purple, blue, and white tricycle. I constantly brrought books for people to read to me. I liked to help clean.
Whenever her parents come home, she runs up to them, squeals "Mommy!" or "Daddy!" and demands to be picked up. -
Toddlerhood Cognitive Development (Telegraphic Speech)
I said, "Momma gone" and "No more." -
Toddlerhood Physical Development(Toilet Trained
Mary uses the training toilet on her own. She watched the 2.5 year old girls at her babysitter's house using a training toilet and started mimicking them. -
Toddlerhood Emotional and Social Development (Sibling)
Bonnie and Tony give birth to another girl, who they name Sophie. I went to see my new sister in the hospital and practiced holding her. -
Toddlerhood Emotional and Social Development (Sibling Resentment)
I stopped using my pottychair when my new sister, Sophie, arrived to get more attention. I started using it again a couple weeks later and happily recieved lots of "Yahs!" and claps. -
Toddlerhood Cognitive Development (Fast Mapping)
Whenever I heard the phone ring I yelled, "I'll get it! ...Hello?!"
I could identify my family members, numbers and letters, foods, body parts, some animals, and household items. I could use adjectives as well. I also knew"yes," "no," "please," "thank you," etc.
I mimiced my parents by yelling at barking dogs, "Shuddup!" -
Toddlerhood Emotional and Social Development (First Tantrum)
I had my first on-the-floor, full-on tantrum. Bonnie took a great picture of it. I was upset because my baby sister, Sophie, was given one of my old blankets.. -
Toddlerhood Emotional and Social Development (Sociomoral Emotions)
I ran to my little sister's crib and crawled in to comfort her whenever she cries demonstrating empathy and prosocial behavior. -
Early Childhood Physical Development
I was tall for age, and thin because I was always playing outside and my parents kept healthy food in the house, though if I ate all my dinner and drank all my milk, I got to have ice cream for desert. Because I was so lanky, I was very clumsy and spent much of this time with band-aids on my knees. Due to my improving gross motor skills I could start jumping rope and with my fine motor skills I could draw and color and braid my Barbie's hair. -
Early Childhood Cognitive Development
Piaget's preoperational substage of "symbolic function" (Arnett 242) was definitely prominant during this point of my life. I was always playing pretend with my sister and friends. We were always playing dress up, Barbies, house, and even pretending to be cooks or witches with whatever sloppy stuff we could find. The next substage, "intuitive thought," was seen through my constant observing of things and asking "why?" I always asked my dad to take things apart for me. -
Early Childhood Cognitive Development and Social (Preschool)
I started preschool early so that I could see more of my friends who had already started. I aped a lot of what they did, such as trying to draw the exact same picture in the exact same way they did. I was jealous that they could read, so I taught myself how to by following along with books on tape. My favorite book was "The Hungry Thing Returns." -
Early Childhood Social Development (Kindergarten)
I started kindergarten at a small Catholic school in Ballard. It was strange and scary sometimes to learn about religion. I was terrified of the idea of hell and tried very, very hard to always obey all the rules. -
Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development
My mother tells me I was a very sweet and sensitive little girl, but I would sometimes bully my little sister. I played with very "girly" toys and played into "gender schemas" (Arnett 257) by always wanting to pretend to be the helpless princess or doting mother. I did like getting dirty though.
Luckily, my parents were "authoritative" (259). They had their rules and enforced them, but were also very fun and very adoring. I was spanked if I lied or hurt my sister badly. -
Middle Childhood Physical Development
Despite constantly snacking on peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches between all meals, I was an extermely skinny at this point. This wasn't helped by the growth-spurt I had in the fourth grade which brought my height up a full foot in less than a year. The growing pains were awful. I was still healthy despite my continued clumsiness.
Due to the improvement in my gross motor skills and my height, I started playing basketball and volleyball. I used my fine motor skills to draw and sew a lot. -
Middle Childhood Cognitive Development
Since I was so tall and awkward at this time, I focused all my energies into school. I really enjoyed learning and read everything I could get my hands on. I idolized the Roahl Dahl character, "Matilda." I loved math, and especially learning the multiplication tables and ultilized mnemonics frequently. My sister and I would also compete against each other to answer scholastic flash-cards faster. I was a geek. -
Middle Childhood Emotional and Social Development
I was very happy at the beginning of middle childhood for all I had to do was play and go to school. Gender differences became apparent in lots of "boys vs girls" games. As "social comparisons" increased, my self-esteem (though "differented") decreased (Arnett 312) as I wasn't good at sports and not very cool. A new girl started bullying me, and my best friend sided with her. I cried a lot in 4th grade, but then I used "selective association" (319) and befriended another tall, quiet, academic -
Middle Childhood Emotional and Social Development (continued)
We played dress up and the board game Sorry! quite a bit. We trusted each other. We started having crushes on the boys in our class later in this stage, too.
During this stage, I was constantly "media-tasking" (329), doing my homework, talking on the phone, listening to music, and watching television at the same time. -
Adolescence Physical Development
I reached menarche around 13 years old, but did not develop breasts for another few years. I stayed rail-thin until I started taking birth-control at age 17, causing more feminine curves. -
Adolescence Cognitive Development
I definitely created an "imaginary audience" at this time, feeling very self-conscious and judged (though it really wasn't by anyone but myself). The "personal fable" described in the book may also attest to why I got into the cars of drunk drivers too often (Arnett 359). -
Adolscence Emotional and Social Development
While junior high was very emotionally tough for me as I was bullied and my parents went through a nasty divorce, high school was surprisingly emotionally stabilizing. I was involved with lots of extra-curricular activities like swimming and volunteering. I was focused on school and felt comfortable with myself. I had nice, fun friends in all different types of cliques and dated a couple great guys.
I even got along with my parents and hardly got into trouble.
I worked as a barista, too. -
Emerging Adulthood Physical Development
My bicycle was my only form of transportation (and exercize) for the last 5 years, and I've been grateful that my maximum oxygen uptake and cardiac output are now at their peaks. However, working multiple jobs including late-night bartending, at times full-time school loads, and frequently eating out leave my body pretty exhausted. My "eveningness" is severe and enhanced by my work schedule and addiction to coffee.
Unstructured socializing and alcohol use are fairly frequent. -
Emerging Adulthood Cognitive Development
Amidst the constantly questioning of what I'm doing and will do with my life, I'm developing dialectical thought to further muddle the answers. Pragmatics of leases, bills, and emotional investments aren't helping either (Arnett 416-7).
I recieved my bachelor's degree in Sociology from University of Washington, but found that it applied best to the bartending job I already had. I've been travelling around the world to help develop my goals since. I'm currently working on pre-reqs for nursing. -
Emerging Adulthood Emotional and Social Development
Based on James Marcia's interpretation of Erik Erikson's Theory, my identity status at this point is "moratorium," as I've tried out quite a few life possibilities, but have not commited to any (Arnett 425).
As I've moved around nearly every year since I left for college, it's comforting to know that I have a home-base at my mother's house, though I doubt I could ever fully move back in, as it would impede on her independence as much as mine. -
Emerging Adulthood Emotional and Social Development
As my long-term partner and I have recently broken up and moved apart (in addition to some other tragedies) my friends and co-workers have become my sources of comfort and support, promoting "self-disclosure" (437).
Through our cohabitation, my partner and I realized we lack the "consensual validation" necessary for a romantic relationship (438). -
Young Adulthood Physical Development
My hair will be prematurely grey, but I will likely dye it some interesting colors will I can. I will continue to ride my bike to work and do yoga to stay healthy, keep my muscles toned, and provide me with endorphins. Wrinkles will form around my eyes from smiling too much. -
Young Adulthood Cognitive Development
I will have recently finished earning my bachelor's degree in Nursing from Seattle University and have found a job in the ICU at Swedish Hospital. I will be looking forward to the creativity that comes after I become an expert at my job, but at this point, I will just be trying to keep my head above water. -
Young Adulthood Emotional and Social Development
I will be married to a partner filled with trust, respect, warmth, independence, intimacy, and laughter. We will have the "Consummate Love" Sternberg's Theory of Love holds to the highest standard (Arnett 475). We know we will have to work hard to keep ourselves and each other happy in our future together, but we balance each other, Our appreciation and care for each other will help us balance house-hold duties. We are trying to have a child and are aware of how it will change everything. -
Middle Adulthood Physical Development
I will have recieved Lasik eye surgury to fix my astigamatism, but will still occasionally need reading glasses. I will stop dying my hair and wear it long and white. I will still walk frequently, but no longer ride my bike as often having a couple of children requires a car. Having children and the detrioration of my metabolism and muscles will lead to a saggier body, but I will work on eating lots of fresh and healthy foods and staying active.
I will be going through menopause. -
Middle Adulthood Cognitive Development
I will have been working as a nurse for 20 years and feel like an expert in my field. During a lay-off, I will even teach Nursing classes for a while and enjoy the summers off before returning to Swedish Hospital. While I'll have reached the peak of my reasoning and verbal memory, my multi-tasking abilities have faultered.
I do the cross-words daily to help prevent Alzheimer's. -
Middle Adulthood Emotional and Social Development
While my husband and I will have our problems, we will remain married. We will go to counselling and go on vacations together in order to get away from our teenage children, one who will be in college and another about to graduate. We will raise them well enough to be responsible enough to be found out at least.
I will visit my mother often to help her with housework. She will have some joint issues, but will be healthy enough to live by herself. -
Late Adulthood Physical Development
I will have fully white hair and lots of wrinkles. I will at least 2 inches shorter than I am now. I will need to wear glasses again sometimes, and I will mishear what people say to me on occasion. I'll start to lose my taste buds, but I will try to eat healthier because of it. I will walk everyday and dance with my grandchildren when they come over and my arthritis isn't working up.
My "morningness" will turn to "eveningness."
I have one nice glass of wine with dinner a few times a week. -
Late Adulthood Cognitive Development
I will continue to do crosswords, read, and take Spanish and Philosophy classes to keep my brain functioning, but every once in a while, I will forget something.
I will probably learn more about technology from my grandchildren, but I will teach them what I know about the world before the internet.
I will be selective, optimizing, and compensating for the activities I do or don't do (Arnett 577). -
Late Adulthood Emotional and Social Development
I will feel good about the decisions and adventures I have made in my life.
Although my parents and husband have deceased, and I will live by myself, my children and grandchildren will frequently visit me, as will my neighbors. I will often have coffees with old friends, I also will volunteer at the St, Vincent de Paul nearby and enjoy socializing there.
I will enjoy providing money for vacations or college payments to my children. I will want to see them enjoying themselves with it. -
Death
I will die peacefully in my sleep after a long day of spending time with my children and grandchildren.
They will cremate my body, dig a hole in the back yard of one of kid's houses, and plant a tree along with my ashes so I can always provide shade to my children.