Summer Outfit

Standin' Around

Tia Eva and Ndaiakka: Ndaia's Perspective

Tia Eva and Ndaiakka: My Mama's Perspective

Walking?

Well, I'm not so into crawling, as you may know. I have preferred to spend my energy learning to stand. The last couple of days I have been squatting to stand while holding on to the floor and/or someone. I am able to stand for long minutes. Today, though, I took another "step" forward. My daddy was laying on his side, and I stood up in the above fashion down by his ankles. I hung out there for a bit before slowly guiding my hands and walking my feet over. Before I knew it, I was looking my daddy in the face! Yup. I think I'll just keep working on how to pick up this heavy head of mine and balance it without falling over. Crawling is not my thing...

My Mohawk

I am hard to pin down, the pictures are all blurry. Haha, mama!

Aunt Donna and Uncle Bret Lunch Date

Sleepy Peach

Other Smrt Things

I also know potty, diaper, milk, and gentle--still learning this one, fine motor skills are difficult. I know who Mala and Peelu are and how we pet them. I know the smell of my mama and the feel of my daddy's beard. I know the sounds of the people I love: Mamuma, Poppa, Grandpa, Abuelita, and E-ma. And I know the faces of my family friends: Uncle Joe, Aunt Natasha and Uncle Alex, lots of Uncle Alex's actually, and Carla and Carlye from my mama's work. I know a lot, and I'm always learning. Life is one big wonder, and I let everyone know I'm enjoying my journeys by flashing all my cutest smiles and laughing my giggliest laughs. I can't wait to learn more of this jibber jabber my parents always do. This book experience is just the first of many. Soon, I will be telling everyone what to do. Hmm........

I Am Smrt!

I know the sign for book. I was in my play pen with an array of things, including many books. I was playing with a giraffe toy when my mama said and signed "Uma, do you want to read a book? Uma, where's your book?" I played with my giraffe for a while. She inquired as to the whereabouts of a book a few more times before it caught my attention. I stopped and looked around, scanning the play pen for a book. "Aha!" I spotted one. My mama asked "Where's the book, Uma?" and I showed her by holding one up. I am a genius....that's what my mama said. She knows because I stopped what I was doing and went for a book. I just let her think these things and be whatever I want to be... : )

Sleep Changes

Now that my mama is home, I get to eat whenever I want. I like having her around. Now I get to be with both my parents. I like them both a whole lot, so that's my favorite. I am starting to be able to play alone for longer periods of time, and my play is more active. I work on sitting up and standing all the time. I am less and less interested in crawling and more and more insistent that I learn to stand. I watched Ami do a downward dog with straight legs and arms. That is how I stand up. I have to keep building strength, and I use play to do that. I am definitely an engaged and engaging little person, as many have told my mama within my hearing, and all that is a lot of work. I meet so many new people and see so many new things on walks and adventures. I am also exploring new foods. For instance, today I had some tasty cherries. I like food. So far, mild, deeply sweet fruits are my favorites--peach, apricot, plum, cherry. I do like other things a good deal though, such as avocado and banana. Food is fun, but also very stimulating. With eating and discovering foods, my active play, and getting more from and of my mama (who is a more relaxed and joyful person now she's done with going in to work), I either need or am able to sleep for longer periods of time. It could also be the oppressive, humid heat. I sleep a bit more fitfully, but I don't wake up fully. Instead, I trick my parents up the stairs only to show them that I can do it on my own. My mama is grateful to be able to cook and go to the garden store and relax while I am sleeping. Sometimes she sleeps with me. That is my favorite, even though it makes me ridiculously sweaty. If I had my way, I would have my parents nap with me all the time. Since it's so hot, I mostly sleep upstairs in the bed, though, while they watch me on the monitor. Whatever it is, I need sleep, and I am grateful that my parents let me sleep and eat when I want. Now that my family is back together, life is good.....