Don't forget to stop and smell the flowers

A weekend morning walk with the family.

The haul.

Evening Walks

Summer time is here!

Almost every night, after dinner, the four of us go for a walk around our complex. 

It's one of Lilli's favorite things to do and immediately after dinner is finished, she repeats "walk?" over and over until we head out the door.  

 Recently she decided she was ready to walk Taz by herself.   

When we remember to bring some old bread or stale crackers, we feed the ducks.  They are pretty comfortable around us and Lilli can walk about two feet away before they start to waddle away. 

 Some nights it takes 15 minutes... other nights, when it starts to get dark, we have to bribe her to come home with ice cream. As soon as you say the word "cream" Lilli takes off towards home.  

Hiking on her own

Over the past two years, we took walks in the park with a child strapped to our chest or steering clear of unpaved roads and using a stroller.  My back couldn't wait to have her walking on her own, it's tough hiking with an extra 15 pounds strapped to your front in 85+ degree weather. She was barely aware of, let alone able to participate in, her surroundings in the past.  When we took our first hike of the year, it was surprising to watch her explore without any assistance or regard to our whereabouts.

As we walked through the nature trails of one of our favorite parks, she talked about the trees, the leaves, the mud, the snakes ("Sssss!"), and the bugs (or bees as she kept calling them).

She walked ahead of us, she walked behind us, she was in her own world.  It was incredible to see such a difference from one year ago.  I suppose the fact that she's mastered walking (and running) had a lot to do with it, but still, it's incredible to see.

The only difficulties she came across were small bridges over water (which was more our trust issues than her issues) and roots sticking up in the path.   When we saw a big root coming up we'd all shout "root!" and by the end of the walk she mastered hills, roots, and mud.  She was hiking like pro.

Although it was wonderful to watch our little girl take on the great big world all by herself, I have to admit it stung a little to see her embrace her independence.  Sure she has started to dress and undress herself, she can put her shoes on (and off) on her own, she is starting to take on stairs (up and down) while we stand by nervously, but it's sad to watch her need us less and less.

We had a great day, despite the last 15 minutes that she quit walking and would only settle for "Mommy!" to hold her. Passing on something we have always really enjoy doing together and sharing it with her in a new ways was totally worth the back pain.

"Song of the Entry"

Paper Planes (cover) by The Da Vincis

Progress report

Lilli has recently taken up running. Not just a brisk walking, but- arms flailing, smile wide, almost screaming in excitement -running. She likes to be chased around and will sometimes take things from us and walk just out of reach backwards to see our faces, then we are forced to chase after her. Her response to that is to run full force into the side of our bed and hide her face in the blankets laughing hysterically as we catch up. I have to admit, as frustrating as it is to try to catch a naked baby running away with a box of wipes or diaper, it's really fun to watch her play. Learning her boundaries and pushing them just a bit further.

Whether she's testing our authority or pushing her own physical limits, she's learning at such a rapid rate sometimes I am thrown back when I hear or see her do something new. The past two weeks she has picked up on about five new signs and close to 5 new words. Earlier this week I asked her if she wanted a banana (followed by the usual banana song) and she replied "Nana!" I nearly fell out of my seat in shock. And when she screamed at me for not watching her do the "all done" sign after eating breakfast one morning, I realized that she's moving along quicker than I'm able to keep up.

She can tell us what she wants and needs and she knows the sequence of events for long drawn out processes. She knows what comes next and when it doesn't play out the way she thinks it should she is quick to let you know that it is not right. Her personality shines through every new thing she learns. Defining herself everyday with her intelligence and disposition.

On another note, she has grown her top two front teeth and they are starting to show. It's so strange to see my baby with a mouth full of teeth. She is a late bloomer for teeth, I can't say I am sad about it. It's almost hard to imagine her as a baby anymore, she'll always be my baby, but she's starting to look like a toddler. I truly cherished the toothless grin and the two bottom teeth smile was beyond adorable. But now... a full on toothy smile, it makes me proud and sad at the same time.



"Indie Song of the Entry"

Scream Scream by The Battle Royale

walking

From standing to walking in three days time. I was on the phone with my brother, Dan, when she took a step towards me. She took a few more that night and stood for a record time. In the next two days she became interested in the walking toy and standing without support. She'd take 3-5 steps here and there.

Suddenly on the third day, it's almost like it clicked. She figured out that she could brace herself to get up, let go, take a step, balance, take a step. She made it practically across the room. More than 8 feet. Unbelievable.

I'm overwhelmed and exhausted. She seems to think the appropriate time to practice these newly attained skills between 2 and 4 a.m. :::yawn:::

On another note, more than ten people asked me when Dave and I were planning number two. To which I quickly laughed. Not that we don't want another, sometime... Just not now. We both agree that the time we have now is for Lilli. When she's had us to herself for some time, then we'll think about it. It feels too soon. And I want my body/sleep back. I want to relax between.

I understand the idea of having them close to get it out of the way, but that's not what we want. We want to enjoy the time we have with them to the fullest extent. We want to give them all of the attention they need. And babies need a lot of attention.

On another note, my cousin and sister-in-law are coming to the end of their pregnancies. It's fun to be on the other side of the anticipation. Although, I sympathize, I find it exciting and less scary. 38 and 32 weeks. Home stretch. Good luck girls!

Record!

Yesterday, Lilli stood on her own for over two minutes. Then she decided to try to make a step or two. While the steps were not 100%, they were steps... Today she is practicing going from one close object to another. Awesome.