“SHE CRAWLS,” read the post from my nanny / friend on facebook. It was only the weekend before that we saw her make the big big leap from just scooting around merrily backwards, to perfecting her plank post and actually using her hands to move forward. These big jumps apparently come together, and she has also figured out to stand up in her crib and peer over the side.  I watch her from the video monitor and go YIKES, and run to put her back down until her daddy can adjust the crib. Yes it is time to lower it to a more middle-sized-baby friendly height. And then, Wednesday night, motoboy says, oh by the way, THERE IS TOOTH. I was cuddling her on the couch as I always do the second I can get home and take of my coat, scarves, jewelry. Oh golly, I feel it. I feel TWO! And then I said we should try some finger foods so along with her usual pureed smoothie whatever I cooked up some carrots real good, sliced and diced and mushed and tried to see if she would put them in her mouth. Which she didn’t really get at first at all. The pieces were stuck to her hand and she was putting her hand in her mouth but it’s fascinating to think – she doesn’t know how to do this yet. Even though every other thing she touches in the world goes right in her little dimpled gobsmacker. You can eat girl, you can do it yourself.
 
And for some reason with motoboy at home this week, using up some of his irretrievable next year vacation days, I am feeling really sad about not being with her during the day. She is handling all the changes in stride and still smiling and squeaking and laughing and generally enjoying herself at all times. One more week of work, and then I can have as many baby cuddles as I’d like, even though her Nana will be here to compete with me for time.  I should probably let her in a little. She is over the moon about Christmas in Chicago. Prepare for the whirlwind.
 
Postscript. The Sandy Shooting happened before I could post this. I have nothing to say, of note, of use, that would make sense of this. Beyond the fact that I hope Obama takes strong action now to curb assault weapons sales, and I hope for stricter gun controls in the near future. Lots of cuddles and I Love Yous and no desire to do anything this weekend but sit inside, while the gloomy winter rain continues, and cuddle my precious girl. Those kids were just like her, babies of someone, a few years on. 

E