My daughter and granddaughter visited us again over Memorial Day weekend. The baby is now almost 16 months old and about to move to the toddler room at her day care center.
She can do so many things!
When I last saw her in early February, she was just a year old and barely walking. Now she not only walks, she runs and climbs and dances.
They teach her sign language at day care, so although she only says a few words, she can sign many more. In February, I wrote that she probably couldn’t understand me anymore than I could understand her. We are communicating much better now. She understands so much of what people say to her, and when asked to help with little tasks like finding her shoes or picking up toys, she can do it.
Plus, she can express her opinions, not only in sign language, but with whole body language. And she has very definite opinions about most things—what she wants to eat and drink, what toys she wants to play with, when she wants to go outside, and when she wants to sit on her mommy’s lap.
The poor baby was sick for much of her visit, and although she wanted to eat, she threw up most of what she ate for two days. After a trip to Children’s Mercy Hospital Urgent Care, she improved, just in time to return home.
Despite her upset tummy, we got lots of play time (in between loads of laundry). I had bought her some new animal figures, and we learned she liked the monkey best. I had also bought a little drawing board. She and I took turns scribbling, and after a day or two, she figured out how to erase the scribbles. She can now initiate peek-a-boo, and covers her face very sweetly when we play (though with big gaps between the fingers).
We also played the piano in my basement—she has great posture and rhythm, though her harmonizing leaves something to be desired. At this point, she sings better than she plays.
We went to the park to swing and slide and climb and bounce. We sat on my screened porch where clean-up was easier than on the hardwood floors inside. From the porch, she watched golfers and swimmers and dogs and birds. Unfortunately, no deer appeared while she was outside.
I can’t show pictures of her online, so all I will post here is a picture of the playpen I bought for her (which never held the baby this trip) and the toys we played with.
My guests left yesterday, and I miss them already. I’m hoping it won’t be too long before I see them again.
What did you do over Memorial Day weekend?
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