SHE'S BAAAAACK!!

How did a whole month go by?!!??? That is truely insane to me. I guess I have been too busy at work to slack off and keep up with my blog :)

Penny is the most wonderful child in the world. Every day I think about how remarkable she is. (Well, ok, maybe not last weekend when she cried from 9p to 3a straight and then was up again to greet the day at 6a on Sunday ready to go!! Turned out she had an ear infection.) It is just so neat to see the progression it takes for her to learn how to walk. Just 2 weeks ago she would take 5 to 9 steps or so, fall and then crawl the rest of the way. Last week, she was still at the 5 to 9 step maximum, but when she fell, she would stand right back up and walk another 5 steps, fall, then get right back up and walk some more. SO EXCITING!! This weekend, she goes for it all the time walking 10 steps is the norm; she can just about transverse our living room without taking a digger.

Yesterday we went to Bushnell Park in Hartford, there is a carousel from 1914 that is actually quite fast. Penny and Nathaniel really enjoyed themselves at the park. In between rides, they played right outside the carousel building where there is a decent sized playscape on a spongy material. Penny enjoyed the slides; she is so daring, she wanted to go down head first all the time. This girl is crazy!!

Right now, I am watching her feed herself little pineapple tidbits from a dole fruitcup. She has her little fork, and she makes these cute stabby motions at the food. She fishes until something finally sticks. Then she generally holds the fork up to marvel at her accomplishment with an "AHHHH-OHHHHH," and then proceeds to eat.

Still not too much progress with the verbal communication, although it is clear she completely comprehends just about everything I say to her. I talk to her like she is a typical 2 year old, as I have learned not to underestimate her in that department. She uses about a dozen signs regularly. The words that she can say all start with "D" such as dada, down, duck, dog, and done. Pretty much all small mamals are "Dogs" although she can discrimate when she puts her mind to it. She can sign "cat" and uses it when she sees one in a book, but in person she will either say, "dog" or make a very pronounced hard "c" sound. In any event, her eys get so big and wide they look like they will pop right out of her head. She is so dang cute.

She is content to play with her blocks for an hour at a time, even by herself while I get things done, but of course she prefers company as any child would.

My heart melts each time she kisses me. Basically this is a wide mouth contact on my cheek. But I can tell she is proud of herself too, because these kisses are given on command, and again, she is able to demonstrate that she understands me, and that is a cool thing.

So where have I been? Well, working 40 hours a week as usual. Monday night is libray night for me and Nathaniel. Tuesdays I do have off, so no excuses there. Wednesday night is soccer practice for Nathaniel, Thursdays was swim lessons: I had parent and child swim class with Penny and Nathaniel had his level 2 class at the same place and in the same time slot. I was very excited about it, but Penny was sick and missed the first 2 or 3 classes. Then we went to a class, but the following 2 weeks were canceled. They had closed and drained the pool to change the filter. The very first class after that was the first day water had been added to the water and it was FRIGID!! Penny lasted all of five minutes before she was a purple baby. Of course being of concern for her heart defect, I didn't push the matter. The last class was supposed to be last week, I think, but we kind of dropped out of it. We will pick it back up with fall classes. Friday nights were cub scouts, as I am the den leader for this fine group of boys. 5/15 was our last official meeting, although there will be plenty of activities through the summer. Our Saturdays and Sundays have been filed with various playdates and museum visits. I will have to tell you about our visit to Boston on another post.

Anyway, I just wanted to finally check in with you people. I have pletny of video of Penelope walking, but I just need to get in on the pc. Oh, yeah, SHE IS TURNING 2 ON FRIDAY! I can't believe my baby is turning 2.

I hope everyone has a fun and safe memorial day!