Monday, January 08, 2007

Where's My Baby?

So is it me, or do you feel like some days your toddler wakes up a new person? I swear, those development spurts hit me out of nowhere every time.

And this time it is hitting me hard. The other day I was almost in tears because my baby was sitting at her little table and chairs "reading" a book. Like a big girl. I was so proud, but completely sad at the same time. Who is this little person? And more importantly, how in the world did she survive this long?! ;)

Seriously, all of the sudden she is like a talking/learning machine. I'm sure it's all normal for her age, but it is sure impressing me. Words sound like words. "Duck" is "duck" -- complete with the "ck". Doggie has graduated from "dada" to "doggie," with the "g" sound. More went from "mah" to "mooooore." Daddy is now clear as a bell. And if she doesn't know the word, she tries really hard to communicate. And she repeats words pretty darn well too.

Of course, her favorite thing to do is tell me when she doesn't want to do something. The word "no" accompanied by enthusiastic head shaking is more than a normal occurrence around here.

She knows more animal sounds -- cow, bee, piggy, cat, sheep, bird. It is just so darn cute!

She has finally learned the concept of down, as opposed to "uppie" every time she wants to be transferred from someone's arms to somewhere else. She gets what it means to "open" and asks you to do so ("oppie") -- only after some frustrating failed attempts of her own, of course.

She points to pictures and items and calls them by name: ball, doggy, baby, banana. She recognizes them and tells me what they are. She notices photos of Grandma and Grandpa, and calls them by name. It's just so strange.

She has also gotten more loving. She still only gives quick loves, but they seem to be more often. I even got squeezed the other day during a hug -- like a REAL hug. Usually I get arms around the neck and quick pat. But a squeeze?! I was like butta!

The whole "surprised" look is her latest thing. She looks at me and forms her mouth in a big "o" as if she is so shocked by what she is seeing. So funny!

And leaving her Mommy? No biggie. I now get a quick kiss and a wave goodbye as she runs off to play at the church nursery, or barely a second glance as I leave her with Grandma and Grandpa. Not a cry, not even a hesitation. It's, "See ya, Mommy. I've got toys to play with here."

She's busy -- oh yes -- but so much fun! I can remember in those early days just wanting to get to this point, but now, well, now, I kinda want to rewind.

Or at least press pause.

11 comments:

Shelly said...

So sweet, they grow up on us so fast!

Anonymous said...

Or have another one...just kidding. Well, sort of. :) It does go by quickly...

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

Oh, I can understand! She sounds like she is moving along at full speed! Just make sure to sneak in ALL the kisses you can!

Mommy Brain said...

Kids grow up so fast! It was only after becoming a mother that I understood that verse in Luke about Mary...where she treasured and pondered all these things in her heart...only a mother would really know what that is. Ponder away my dear mommy...it will go by so fast.

i am not said...

Totally gettin this post - I think every mother has been there at some point - or maybe several:)

one hot momma said...

Watch out, it's been my experience that I conceive shortly after these feelings begin! Don't know if that's in the grand plan for you, but this is just my experience. And, just when I was feeling that with Alaina, (my youngest), along came the itch for another baby, met with the cutest, cuddliest little puppy we ever saw in our lives! Thank God puppies don't have those huge developmental splurges or I'd be a hot tired momma of many!!!!
Enjoy these times Lisa, and as Mommy Brain put it so eloquently, ponder away my dear mommy... it will go by so very fast!

Jen said...

I'm with Amanda~time to reload! :-)

But then again, when I'm pregnant, I want the whole world preggers too. It's such fun.

Butterfly Mama said...

How true...I'm glad you are enjoying each of her milestones!

kkoois said...

i'm right there with ya...

Carol said...

What a great tribute to your dear Emma! She's such a blessing. I'm glad God gave Emma such a wonderful mommy like you!

Anonymous said...

Well Emma always seemed to be a bit ahead of the crowd, I can see how you're blown away.

I'm not very good at handling the growing up thing, why? Why must they grow? To turn into even more amazing little people I suppose.