So busy

Yes, the title of this is my excuse for not updating this blog recently, but it is also a description of you these days, Socha.  You are one busy little girl.  There are so many things grabbing your attention and you are constantly on the move.  Every day your walking gets faster and your balance improves.  You fall down less - but definitely still fall down, and get pretty angry about it sometimes - and you walk with purpose.  I love hearing your footsteps coming down the hall or towards my office.  So full of gusto!  You've been walking long distances too.  Still not entirely in the direction(s) we would like to you to go, but we get there eventually.  Every leaf, pile of dirt, candy wrapper, bird, squirrel, stick, mulchy area, bush, set of stairs, apple core, orange skin, flower, rock, toy, other child, bike, golf club bag (I have no idea what those are actually called), scooter, fence, brick in the sidewalk, piece of paper, pile of grass, piece of cement, etc. grabs your attention and practically stops you in your tracks.  And you definitely put a lot of these things in your mouth, often to immediately spit them out, which is pretty funny to watch.  You love being outside and now that Spring has finally sprung, outside is the best place for us all to be.  The sun is shining, the air is warm, the birds are singing, the trees are blooming, your parents are sneezing.  Oh the trees around campus are gorgeous!  So many flowers and so much pollen.  So far (knock on wood) you aren't showing too much of an allergic reaction.  Maybe some swollen eyes in the morning - but that could simply just be waking up.  I so hope you don't end up getting allergies like your Dad and I have.

There are bunches of things you've started doing recently.

• passive resistance such as going completely limp when we try to get you to walk in a different direction
• grown out of trash can obsession
• chewing on books as a game
• helping close the gate at the top of the stares
• pushing on doors to get them to open
• climbing on boxes
• magnets
• banging the table like a drum
• you love dogs - to the point that I'm a little worried you might get nipped
• sign language - sort of: diaper change, happy (clap), all done
• learning body parts - head, hair, ears, feet
• playing chase - your giggle when we do this simply warms my heart
• swim lessons, and you just walked right into the frigid Deerfield River last weekend
• splashing in the bath
• drinking from a sippy cup
• transitioning from formula to milk
• asking for shoes to be put on
• begging for bread, then actually eating some of it
• eating some solids like pasta, squash, chicken, carrots
• showing us Bonnie the bear when you are ready for some milk
• temper tantrums - sometimes you have a really short fuse
• hugs to stuffed animals, and kisses
• asking for specific books at bed time (for a while it was Goodnight San Francisco, then The ABC's by Charley Harper, and now it's Going on a Bear Hunt)
• singing when you're content
• stacking blocks
• kicking balls
• pointing at things in books
• riding on Dad's bike
• soon to be riding in your new bike seat (this coming weekend!)

I'm sure there are many things that I haven't included here, but I'll use my allergy headache as an excuse for not remembering everything.

Here's the most recent photo album that shows you doing many of the things I've described above...



And finally, this is a nice letter written by some little girl's dad (our cousin, Elizabeth, found this - Thank you!).  I would like you to read and take these words to heart, Socha.  And I would add that if "he" turns out to be a "she", the same rules apply.  :)