Ellie is 41 weeks and six days old! What a marvel. Is she reaching that age when it seems laughable to calculate in weeks? I may hold on a bit longer. Our kiddo has such a distinctive chuckle now -- and sometimes, when she is really delighted, she lets out a peal of laughter that sounds like it could belong to a much older child. These situations usually involve her much abused puppy partner in crime, the incredibly patient Zoe. She especially delights in episodes that drive me bananas, like chasing a bounding Zoe around the coffee table dozens of times with Ellie on my hip, in an effort to rescue some item turned chew toy.
I am beginning to realize that Ellie understands so much more than we think she does. She trills mamama for me and dadada for Nitin. She is learning to wave goodbye and she definitely understands no, though it typically only causes her to briefly pause before continuing to pursue Zoe's water bowl, an electrical outlet, etc. She has very strong opinions -- does not like to be buckled into *anything* for example, be it stroller, high chair, carseat, changing table. Once buckled, she resigns herself to her fate, but she does hate losing her mobility, which is quite reasonable -- and also, of course, totally necessary to preserve her safety!
It may be my imagination, but she seems more interested in books these days, too -- be still my heart! She delights in her nightly baths, and I have had to learn to carefully negotiate the end of bath time. I pull the plug and try to wait to lift her out until she is squirming or trying to stand. Sometimes, our timing is off, and she starts spinning in her little blue tub before bathtime is over!
We had a picnic with a mom friend and her son recently, and Ellie was shy at first, facing in the opposite direction. When she finally faced him, she enthusiastically thrust her fingers toward his eyes -- FRIEND! I so recognize this shyness partnered with a burst of uncontained excitement. I know the world may try to dial her back if she remains so bold and vibrant. But to me, this little girl bursting with enthusiasm and feelings strongly felt is completely beautiful.
I read a piece recently by a parent of several children with disabilities -- often such incredible role models for all parents -- and she so thoughtfully and lovingly described each of her children. Then she said, in this house, no one apologizes for who they are. That seemed to me like such an excellent aim for any family.
It is possible to start wincing and worrying over our children so early. My mother in law reported, she definitely wants her own way all the time. But I am grateful for the strength and confidence I perceive in Ellie. I think the goal is to teach and guide and listen without ever shaming. (Good luck. Ha!)
So we have this sweet, wonderful person in our lives, who is just obsessed with peekaboo, who searches doggedly for mama or dada when she hears a voice and does not see the corresponding face. She is still quite chatty and she may not realize yet that she is usually not speaking a language we understand? These days, she loves yogurt, playing with radiators, pulling Zoe's tail and yanking grass out of the ground. Her sweet smiling face is easily the loveliest thing I've ever seen...
Here are some photos of the past few weeks...
Just a little light reading...
A baby's work is never done.
This looks almost good enough to eat!
Extra bubbles, please.
I swear that we found her like this. We are not emulating Anne Geddes or anything. But obviously we photographed her before removing her from the remote control basket...
This girl sure loves her dada.
I don't know about you, but I'm about done with this bath!
I accidentally picked a photo with a shoe in the corner, but there were other shoeless pictures also. Nice picnic on the riverfront with K&J and kids.
I admit that I took this myself. I just wanted to capture one of these many moments cuddling Ellie to sleep. It is just the two of us, and I hope I can remember the feeling of her warm weight in my arms forever.
Sometimes, we get really angry right around dinnertime and scream instead of eating. Happens to the best of us!
She very sweetly paused her grass yanking activities to pose for this photo.
Big shoes to fill -- dada shoes, of course!
