GIVE ME A SIGN, SOME KIND OF SIGN

Little Miss Vanessakins has been communicating with us in all kinds of new ways. Her vocabulary continues to blossom, although there aren't a lot of true English words spewing forth. She does, however, break into spontaneous sign language now and again. Her ASL words? "More," "All Done," and "Baby." In fact, I didn't even teach her "Baby" - she picked that up from the television.

Daddio was gone over part of the weekend and Mama and Baby Nessa were very occupied playing. In fact, playing is pretty much our job these days, to the detriment and overall neglect of absolutely everything else. I am celebrating my toddler's newfound independence and physical confidence in walking and climbing, but I do have to monitor her like she's a chimpanzee. No mean feat.





Life is grand at the level of a 13 month old. There are parks to explore, sand to sift, rocks to collect, puppies to poke, and drawers to dismantle. What joy! Yesterday was so exciting Vanessa forgot to nap. We forced her down at 5 pm, then back up again before settling into the full night of sleep. Napping is not optional at this age, sweetie pie. You will nap.





One of the funniest new things she's doing is akin to a dog bringing his master the leash to initiate a walk. Nanners brings me the boppy (nursing pillow) to initiate a snack. She laughs hard at the realization she can make milk happen.



Here are two photos of VH1 taken while she's in her stroller - my attempt to corral her energy but still feed her hungry mind with visual stimuli. The first shot, of a pensive toddler, is my favorite. Van is concentrating on what I am doing with my hands - one is holding the camera to my face and the other is waving the long, red ball-wand about. If I could read her mind it would probably be, "My mother is surely a lunatic. Just look at her."

Photo #2 was taken a millisecond later of Vanessa regarding her brother Milo sauntering by. That is her father's favorite.

Have I admitted lately that we are in love with our child? We adore her.