The Wonder Years

I have become so curious lately, even more so than before, and my new obsession is to point. I point at everything and anything! Mom indulges my every point and names each object with which we come in contact. I am just trying to hone my verbal skills for when I can actually have a conversation. I have recently added duck, dog, yuck, and hi to my previous verbal repertoire of dada, mama, and bye-bye. I am also beginning to mimic every sound possible. Before long, I will be able to hold my own with the great conversationalists of our time, as long as they talk about ducks that is. Just wait until I start the why years, Mom!

Oh, I can now point out my eyes, nose, and sometimes, mouth! Genius, I know!

So, here is what I have been up to lately. Don't get too excited; things have been pretty quiet around these parts. Dad has still been traveling way too much for either Mom's or my liking; however, some of our favorite people have been keeping us company. Aunt Stephanie came up for dinner the Monday before last. She brought me a new dress and pants, and she showed me how a balloon can stick to hair - too cool! The only problem is that you have to actually have hair before the trick will work. I love you, Aunt Stephanie, and thank you for the new clothes. It is a good thing that she came to keep me company because that had been a rough Monday. I woke up with a temperature, and combined with my insane diaper rash, runny nose, and cough, Mom decided that it was best to head to the doctor's office. I was not of the same opinion, but I guess I don't get a vote in these matters, especially with this whole Swine Flu craziness. At the doctor's office, I remained consistent and flipped my lid as soon as the doctor walked into the room. I screamed, and I mean really freaked out, through the entire 5 minute exam! My ears, nose, and mouth are my property! I went through all of that torture just so the doctor could tell Mom that most of my symptoms are the results of teething. At least I got to enjoy looking out of the window and resting my head on the sill before the exam. On that following Tuesday, Mrs. Teri came up for dinner, and when she and Mom got me up from nap, I looked right at her and said, "Hi". I know; I am pretty impressive. She even filled the sink with water and let me splash my feet in it while Mom cleaned up dinner before giving me a bath. Mrs. Teri got to play with Mom's new camera, and she turned getting ready for bed into a photo shoot. Now, I know why Mom and Mrs. Teri are so close; they are both crazy, but in a good way! Aunt Mallory has come to see me several times over the last two weeks, which I love, and she even spent the night this past Saturday, so I got to hang out with her until nap time on Sunday morning. Aunt Mallory is pretty funny, and she is always doing something crazy to entertain me. I love you, Aunt Mallory. Grandma even babysat me on Saturday night so that Mom and Dad could go out to dinner. I hadn't seen Grandma since Halloween, so I was super excited. I did, however, cry hysterically when Dad put on his sports coat to go out because that is what he wears when he goes out of town, and I thought he was leaving me for a few days. Of course, Grandma spoiled me rotten. She brought me my very own little table and chairs as an early Christmas present for my room. I am really starting to get the hang of coloring, so perhaps this table will become my artiste's station. Thank you, Grandma. She even gave me my own bowl of strawberry shortcake after dinner; I licked that bowl clean, literally! It was so good to see you, Grandma; you are no longer allowed to stay away for two full weeks. All of the company has been great, but I still don't like Dad's leaving town at all! I have gotten really upset the past two Monday mornings when it was time for him to go because I just knew that he wouldn't be back for a few days. I literally clung to him and tried to kick Mom away at one point. Don't take it personally, Mom; I just love my Daddy. I wonder...if I sit on top of his suitcase, he can't leave, right? It's worth a try.

The best part of every week, in my opinion, is Playgroup/Moms' Lunch, which is still going strong. The week before last was at Sindy's house, and Lucas and I were too excited to see each other! We could not stop kissing; we even kissed through the curtains! He is my best boy-friend but not boyfriend, people. Tyler came and played as well. He is actually taller than me, which is rare. I can see my boys and me becoming the 3 Musketeers...or the 3 Stooges; it could go either way. Another new addition to the group is Mrs. Tina and Carla, who is a little younger than Jackson and Selina, but she is ready to play, nonetheless. Thanks for hosting, Sindy. This past week, Playgroup was at our house, so I got to show off all of my toys. Selina is crawling now, and Jackson is starting to scoot, so it won't be long until we are all getting into everything together. Lucas and Tyler weren't able to make it, but I made a new friend, Colt. He is an older man, dontcha know! He is 2, and his new little sister, Marley, is 8 weeks old. It was so nice of them to join us! We had an awesome time, and he was able to find toys that even I didn't know I had. Welcome to the group, Mrs. Maggie, Marley, Colt, Mrs. Tina, and Carla!

I have recently found my true passion in life, climbing! I attempt to climb everything now, and I am getting pretty good at it if I do say so myself. Mom caught me moving boxes around the other day to build my own scaffold so that I could turn the living room light on and off. She had to spend the better part of this week teaching me how to carefully turn around backwards and climb down. I guess she wasn't really impressed by my new habit of climbing up onto something and then screaming hysterically until she came and helped me get back down. I have spent an exorbitant amount of time hanging out on the trunk in the corner of the living room lately; it makes a great dance stage, as you can see below. Sorry that you have to endure Mom's rendition of the "Super Readers" song while you watch the video! I also spent about 45 minutes this past Wednesday night using Mom's knee to climb up onto the couch so that I could jump, or fall, across each cushion like my own personal trampoline, turn around, and slide back down before starting the whole process again. It was so much fun, and I laughed the whole time! Mom and Dad had never seen me that hyper. Perhaps rock climbing instructor or Cirque du Soleil trampolinist is in my future.

Here are a few other tidbits from the last couple of weeks:

I found a new place for my princess chair. I was able, after a lot of pushing and screaming, to get my chair underneath the side table. Then I tried my darndest to sit in it while it was under the table! What? You don't see the logic here?! Geesh!

Mom now lets me walk around when we go to Target or Publix for only an item or two. Did you know that people leave little spaces open on the bottom shelf just for me to sit on while I make my way through the store!? How sweet. It does take about 20 minutes to get down one aisle, but I am worth the wait. A girl has got to rest now and then.

I love our backyard; although, I did bust my butt trying to get from the patio to the grass today. We still have a few flowers; even though, it is already November. I must be a lot like Mom in the respect that we both love to bask in the sun. Just so you know, Dad insists on dressing me on Saturdays; it is not my fault.

Opie and I are still living the life! We share all of our toys, which actually means that I steal his toys directly from his mouth, but he loves me anyways.

I have been trying out different wardrobe options lately. Do a beret and a neck tie go together? I kept checking myself out in the mirror, but I just couldn't decide which looks better. I wish Opie would just give me some honest fashion advice already! * By the way, I fell and busted my lip while trying to run yesterday, hence the booboo under my bottom lip. I got to eat ice cream while sitting on the kitchen floor, and Mom almost passed out - just a day in the life of a daredevil.

Oh, and please, hit me up on Mom's cell phone anytime. I can never get too many calls. I'm a girl, for goodness sakes! By the way, Dad is the exception to the rule that only girls love talking on the phone. The holiday season begins next week, and I cannot wait! Have a Happy Thanksgiving, one and all!