Tree Sniffin'

The day is finally starting to settle down.  With the Bug just reaching 18 months, she's not quite at the point of tearing through everything with a bow on it.  She is old enough to understand some presents are for her and some are not.  Each of her presents demanded the enthusiastic toddler's attention span.  We capped off our drawn out day around five o'clock, complete with a nap, west coast family video calls, leftover meals, and much, much joy.

Then we had dinner.

Then we cleaned up.

A few days ago, whilst playing with the Bug, she accidentally jabbed my eye with her finger.  It's still quite red, but feeling less bruised.  It didn't hinder my ability to celebrate this time of year.  Only, my dull pain reminded me to find less full-contact interactions with the Bug.  (less, not none)

She really likes having a pine tree in the house.  She'll smell it, hum her approval, and then guide the closest adult by the hand to the tree.  That aforementioned adult is expected to kneel and smell the exact spot of the tree that she found so appealing.  In case there be any confusion as to where that particular branch can be found, the Bug will grab the back of your head and guide you to it.  And you better note your appreciation.  If not, you probably didn't smell it quite right and should try it again immediately.

In similar fashion, adult hands are pulled toward anything the Bug wishes to have a demonstrated.  Where on the pony's ear do you squeeze to make it whinny and move?  Where on the turtle do you press for what song?  How do you peel this clementine?  How do you open this drawer/door?  How does this cat like to be petted?

One of the great joys in watching the Bug's development is her growing collection of silly walks and dances.  My personal favorite we call the Quasimodo walk.  It's not unlike an old man with a swinging left arm, but really all she lacks is the tell-tale hump on her back.  I've got a great idea for a cardio workout, too.  I call it, "Dancing with Toddlers."

That's all for now.  Merry Christmas to you all from the Bug, Grandma, Wifey, me, and all the animals.  If you'll excuse me, I have a tree to sniff.

Now I Know My I T Cs

For good reason, parenting classes never tell you that you'll wind up spending half an hour dancing in a circle singing the alphabet song on a loop. There's no way to adequately explain how much fun it can be.

We have a great number of toys to give the bug familiarity with the letters. Now, whenever she see them, she starts signing "I T C, I T C, I T C" and quickly requests hearing the proper "words" to the song one more time.

I can tell it will become dizzying soon to keep up with her new vocabulary. She can accurately tell you the difference between arm and leg. Almost hourly, I hear a word from her and can't be sure if it's the first time she's said it or not.

Much to our delight, she has a new found penchant for hugs and kisses. Even more happy is how much better she is at playing by herself.

Two Two

I'd like to know the Bug's inspiration for her latest game. She flips over her little plastic stool, sits me down on it, pushes me over (with a bit of help from my playacting), and then screams and laughs. Sometimes, she'll even tumble after me.

Where do kids come up with this stuff?

The Bug uses the word "up" quite effectively these days. Typically in the imperative form. Even if it's been the twentieth time I've reset myself on the stool, I get up. An obedience I've taken some criticism for. My feeling is it's better to encourage the Bug's verbal communication than go easy on my knees.

She is picking up words with a bit more regularity. "Hug" and "kiss" have been mastered. Mastered, and demonstrated on the likes of kitchen cabinets, the dishwasher, and toys.

One of the Bug's great joys right now is to count two. Not to two (one is a little tricky), but she recognizes pairs and counts them. It might be "two, two," but I'll take that at seventeen months. She finds the counting of ears and eyes especially hilarious. When she's on a roll, everything in sight gets counted... as two.