So I know that I am way overdue for a blog post and, therefore, I should be going back about a month and giving you all the details of all that has happened (sleep regression, trips to Utah, new tricks learned and, of course, lots of new adorable anecdotes), but I can't because we have big news. BIG news. And before you get any ideas in your heads, NO, I am NOT pregnant. Sheesh, people (if indeed anyone is still reading this after my 20 day hiatus). The kid isn't even ONE yet! No, the big news is THE DUCKS ARE MOVING BACK TO DC! That's right! After two years here in NYC(ish), I got a call the other day telling me that I had been chosen for a position I applied for/interviewed for last month and so, we now have roughly eight weeks to pack up, ship out, and regroup back in the homeland. It all feels very surreal right now. There are so many logistics to figure out, the biggest, of course, being Chris' job, but we decided before I ever applied to this position that the best thing for us as a family would be to move back to VA and so...here we go. There are definitely things we're going to miss about Hoboken...too many. But, we are also getting excited about being back near so many friends, being back in our house, being back someplace where we can buy a bigger car (YAAAAAAAHHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!). It's going to be a huge transition. HUGE. But, in the end, we really do think it'll be for the best. That said, it is going to be a CRAZY few months and my head is already spinning with everything we have to do.
Kayla, meanwhile, is totally oblivious. Unaware of the turmoil that's starting to build around her, Kayla's sole focus is on practicing her newest and greatest tricks. Starting a couple of weeks ago, Kayla started practicing standing without holding onto anything. It was so funny to watch her go from "Oops, I forgot to hold on and OH MY GOD, I'd better sit down NOW!" to "Okay...letting go...I can do this...one hand...two hands...HAHA Look at me!!!" She's definitely still a little hesitant and only stands unaided for 5-10 seconds at a time, but she is definitely practicing this new skill. She is also figuring out all the benefits of this position. She is learning she can reach most of the breakable objects Mommy thought were out of her reach on the higher shelves. She is learning that she can demand Daddy's attention by popping up and trying to rip that laptop right off his lap. She is learning that she can bend over and pick things up from a standing position - ooh, fancy. She can also now squat. There was a special squat that older men in Singapore used to adopt when they were just hanging out somewhere. Kayla has that squat down.
And yesterday, another new trick. Yesterday Kayla suddenly put two and two together and realized that she can put small objects inside big objects. Ta Da! She spent literally the entire day experimenting with this new trick. The small Tupperware fits in the big Tupperware. The small block fits in the larger cup. The plastic animals fit in the big plastic pitcher. It was a day of revelations. I love watching her learn new things like this. I can't express enough how amazing it has been to be home with her this first year. Yes, there have been challenges. Yes, there have been frustrations. Every time I see her discover something new though, my heart lights up and I could burst with the excitement of knowing that this little baby is rapidly (far too rapidly) developing into a little person. Every new trick makes me beam.
What else is Snuzzles doing...She is learning to point! She now points to things occasionally, just to show them to me and OCCASIONALLY, I can even get her to point out a specified object.
The funniest instance of this though, and, hilariously, the first, was when Kayla and I were walking through Target the other day. We're standing in an aisle and I'm looking at dishes on a shelf when all of a sudden, Kayla starts going "dog, dog, dog, dogdogdogdog." (Note that it doesn't sound EXACTLY that pronounced, but darned if the kid doesn't have a word for those animals.) So, I turn, getting ready to be like "Honey, there aren't dogs here," when all of a sudden I see that her little finger is aimed at a wall and darned if there isn't
a big old painting of a panting dog face. DOG! I almost died. She saw it, recognized it, POINTED TO IT, CALLED IT BY NAME...AH!!!!!!! My daughter is a GENIUS! She had both me and the store attendant standing nearby in hysterics (he might have been laughing at my gushing enthusiasm...not sure...). So then, after discussing the dog for 10 minutes, we walk away, down a few more aisles and, all of a sudden, she's doing it again! "Dog, dog, dog, dogdogdogdogdog!" I turn, thinking "Aw, honey, the dog isn't here anymore" and there on the wall is another dog painting! Have I mentioned that my baby is awesome? Best day at Target ever.
Hmm...what else...Kayla now loves to dance. Anytime you turn on music she likes she'll sit there and bop enthusiastically to the beat. She loves exploring and will literally crawl under or through anything. The kid has no fear. Her exersaucer? Won't sit in it anymore, but loves crawling through the shallow space beneath it. Chairs? Bar stools? She performs the most HILARIOUS acrobatics to try to get up and over their bars. Tables? Much better from beneath. I took her to a playgroup the other day and she had herself in hysterics because she managed to crawl into this little tiny play tunnel, turn herself to the side, get herself stuck...and no, I don't mean crying hysterics, I mean LAUGHING hysterics. Right in the middle of quiet story time. Sheesh.
Of course, learning all these new tricks seems to be interfering with her sleep pattern somewhat. She wants to stay up later and later and has been pretty restless at night. We're trying to give her longer wind-down periods before bed, but I honestly think she is just afraid to go to sleep least she miss out on something. Can't imagine where she gets that from.
But, with only three weeks left until Kayla's first birthday, it is hard to get too upset with her about the sleeping. I keep looking at her and thinking how fast time is flying. Every day she is a little more grown up and I realize that, before I know it, she will be less of a Smush and more of a Big Girl. Sigh. It is true that it just keeps getting better and better, but at the same time, it is true that there is nothing like holding this soft little person in your arms, having them look up at you and you see that there has never been a truer love. When I go in to get her in the morning now, she leaps into my arms, locks her little legs onto my side, throws her arms around my neck and just hugs and hugs me. It is The Best Thing in The World, hands down. She also comes over to me when she is sleepy or relaxed and will lay her little head on my leg and wait for me to softly stroke her head. The other night, when she was having a tough time sleeping, I finally gave in and put her in bed with me. A few hours later, she stirred and started to cry, then she felt me beside her, put her hand up on my cheek, heaved a big sigh and passed back out for the rest of the night. How can you be mad about having to sleep with your infant when they do that? This little girl is the most amazing person I have ever met and I am so amazingly thankful for every moment we get to spend with her. It is hard work, it is exhausting, and it is the most marvelous thing on Earth. Happy almost birthday, Kayla. Thank you for making this the best year of our lives. The wonder in your eyes reminds me to keep wonder in my heart.
