Big Girl

As I was getting ready this morning, you climbed up on the couch by yourself and started "reading" a book. I was suspicious because you were quietly chattering away.

We are about to leave for California this afternoon and I am super nervous about taking you on the plane. You are so mobile now and so unwilling to sit that I hope I brought enough food to distract you.

This past weekend, hanging out with your Aunties, you said "horsie," "shoe," and "hello." Eileen could understand you better than I could.

I need to go wake you up so we can head out. I love you, my baby.

Cougar

I feel like I can't keep up with all of your antics anymore. You are more amusing by the day. You understand lots of words and can point out different animals in books. Right now we're working on sounds and the noises animals make. So far you have "cougar" down pat. You can't yet say cougar, but we have a carved cougar (jaguar) head from Africa that you love looking at. You make a claw (or, your version of a claw) and you growl.

Last night you were kissing all over baby Nathan and I told our friends you were a "cougar" and you growled out of the blue when you heard that word. It made me laugh.

You are climbing all over the place. Sometimes falling off, but it doesn't stop you. You love to climb into chairs and rock back and forth. Of course, not every chair is a rocking chair, but you don't quite understand that yet.

You love picking up clothes, on the bed or on the floor, and carrying them around. Red is your favorite color, and mommy has a particular red sports bra that you are fond of. You try to wear it around your arm.

You are pretty afraid of the blow-dryer but can't seem to look away from it. It's like a cobra that has you mesmerized.

For the past few days you've started pulling out all the stops when it comes to nap time. I tell you that it's "time for nappy time" and you stick your fingers in your mouth. Then, we go sit down in the rocking chair and you nurse for a moment and then you start doing everything and anything to distract me from putting you down. You suck on my chin, you grab my face with both hands and laugh, and generally act as cute as you know how. You get me to giggling so hard that I have the hardest time laying you in your crib. But, I know that if I give in once, you are smart enough now to realize that your maneuverings work. I'm OK with you doing it, though, because somehow you've seemed to hit on just the right mix of orneriness and sweetness. Like it is tailor made for me.

Tonight while we were taking a bath you decided that you were going to put your face in the water. Usually you never do this and get real upset if water gets in your eyes. So, you did it without any provocation. And, I told you what a good job you were doing after every dip. You had a huge smile and then we rubbed noses afterwards. I love you, Haven. You bring me so much joy at unexpected moments. Sometimes I want to bottle you at this age and keep you here.

Running, Pinching, & Biking

You've discovered walking backwards this week. You do it until you run into a wall. It looks a bit like moon-walking. You are too young to know what I'm talking about, but I'll show you when you're older.

You LOVE being outside. In fact, you have a farmer's tan on your arms. You scream when we bring you indoors. You enjoy eating flowers and dirt. Today I worked out in the garden and turned around to see you stuff your mouth with a handful of dirt and then try to spit it out.

For some reason you've decided that mommy needs to be pinched and bit frequently. Hard. I've told you numerous times to stop and you do when I say it but you do it again an hour later. You aren't doing it to Daddy. But, Daddy's not quite as squishy as mommy is.

I think we're going to have a problem getting you to 20 pounds so we can turn your car seat around. You run now. Climb up and down steps. You're unstoppable. If we are outside you get angry if one of us picks you up. Inside is a different story.

Today was rather remarkable in that we were sitting in the rocking chair in your room, you looked over at your shelf and saw a stuffed dog on it and you pointed and said, "dog." You say "da" and I'm "dada" and you repeat words (for instance, yesterday daddy said you repeated "bam" after he said it), but you said this without either of the real dogs in the room. I was very proud of you. You understand alot. Grandpa told you to go get your shoes the other day and you did.

I can't wait to hear some of the funny things I know you have to say.

You love bending at the waist and putting your forehead on the ground. Unfortunately, it doesn't always turn out so great. You did it outside on the rocky dirt and fell forward scratching your face. It's fun to watch you because you are always doing new things. You love helping daddy work on his bikes. You spin the wheels and tighten up screws just like he does. I can see the shine of pride in his eyes when you do.