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20 Months - May 2006

May 23 - May 29, 2006
(1 year, 38 weeks)

Grandma a.k.a. "Ma" came to visit last week.  She took a thousand pictures of me but has not emailed any so there is a blank space for this week.  We had a lot of fun.  We went on bike rides, to the park, and even to the mall.  She is going to come back after my brother arrives and I can't wait. 

I am putting more and more words together and also let people know that they are in the "way."  I also like blaming doggie for everything that doesn't work out the way I expect it to - as long as he is in the room.

May 16 - May 22, 2006
(1 year, 37 weeks)

I can count to 9.  I surprised Mommy the other day as we were walking up the stairs.  After I said 9 she asked "what comes next?" and I said "12."  Who really needs 10 and/or 11 anyway?!

On Mother's Day I surprised Mommy with a very lovely card.  It had hearts and flowers and glitter, oh my!  I also got her some really pretty stationery because Mommy still likes to occasionally write a real note and doesn't completely rely on email to communicate.  We had a yummy brunch to celebrate her big day with Pa, GG Gigi, and GA Dorina.  I ate 2 whole pickle spears by myself - MMMMM!

I am starting to recall events.  On morning last week when Mommy was sleeping in, Daddy gave me breakfast.  After breakfast I went upstairs to wake up Mommy.  She asked me if I ate and I said yes.  So she asked me what I had.  I said "Pancakes."  She asked "What else?"  I said "Blueberries."  She asked "what else?"  And I said "Syrup."  About 5 minutes later Daddy came upstairs and Mommy said "So I heard somebody had pancakes, syrup, and blueberries."  He replied "Who told you that?"  She said "Rachel."  You could tell that they were both amazed. 

"Go by bike..."

May 9 - May 15, 2006
(1 year, 36 weeks)

On Sunday, Mommy and Daddy took me to see Elmo's Coloring Book.  It was my first theater performance and I was really happy to see Elmo and friends singing and dancing.  Daddy even bought me a huge Elmo balloon (Mommy got cotton candy).  The show lasted 90 minutes and I only got a little antsy - mostly because I think I was hungry.

On Saturday Daddy assembled my new bike.  It is a Kettler trike with a dumping basket and foot rest.  I love it!  After gymnastics on Sunday I was upstairs visiting Mommy when Daddy asked if I'd like to go ride my bike.  Before either of them could blink I had walked - yes walked - down the stairs about 3/4 of the way by myself!  Looks like all the practice has been paying off.  Mommy and Daddy got a little excited about my solo trip and have now been asking me to wait for them.

There are 3 words which really get me moving.  They are Walk, Bike, and Bath.  At the mention of doing these three items I immediately drop whatever I am doing and run to the door to get my shoes or up the stairs to the tub.  My memory is also increasing so that if you tell me that I will go on my bike when Daddy gets home - I am remembering and when he walks in the door I am ready to go.

"Hey!  I am trying to watch Elmo!"

New Words/Sounds:  Bike, Rachel, wait, and "Daddy's Girl." 
(Yes, the last one melts Daddy's heart every time I say it)

New Photo Documentary:  Elmo

May 2 - May 8, 2006
(1 year, 35 weeks)

While Mommy was at the hospital, Daddy worked with me on walking down the stairs so that when Mommy came home I wouldn't ask to be carried.  So now I can hold somebody's hand and then I use my other hand to grasp the banister rails as I step down.  I feel like such a big girl sometimes!

One of my favorite things to do right now is take a walk.  I have been going to the botanic gardens with grandpa and taking lots of walks up the street with Daddy.  The other day we went for a walk after it rained and Daddy let me splash in the puddles.  It was so much fun!

I am really starting to pretend play.  Sometimes I pretend that I am a doggie - I pant, crawl around, and like having my belly scratched.  Other times I pretend that I am a bird as I fly around the house and tweet.  I also like pretending to have tea with Mommy and Daddy.  I run from room to room saying "Daddy tea" and offer him the cup to sip and then I run to Mommy saying "Mommy tea" and offer her a sip.  Then when it's my turn I make really loud slurping noises.

Mommy asked me to smile the other day and as you can see from my photo I can REALLY smile!

"Did somebody say cheese?"

New Words/Sounds:  "Crazy Milk," Splash, "Baby Kick"

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