It's fun once in a while to put together a summary of Gwendolyn's recent activities. Here are a few things she's been up to these days:
Fave foods: We still have a terrific eater on our hands, and she is eating more and more what Mama and Daddy have on their plates at mealtimes. Barley pilaf (Grandma's recipe) and chickpea curry are current favourites. How awesome is it that our G. chants "barley, barley" or "curry, curry" when she hears that one or the other is on the menu?
"Awesome!": and while we're on the subject... We thought the "totally awesome" uttered by Gwendolyn in the video we posted a few weeks back was a bit of a fluke. It turns out the A-word has stuck and surprisingly, is mostly used by our G. in the proper context -- often when exclaiming approval over some object she's seen or bit of information told to her by Mama or Dad.
She's also been heard using the word "gorgeous," as in "gorgeous bike" to describe a fellow toddler's two-wheeler. We're not sure where she picked that one up...
"Self": Well, it's started: Gwendolyn's stated desire to do some things herself. So far, Mama and Daddy have experienced it when brushing teeth or eating with a spoon -- a determined "self, self" is uttered as Gwendolyn takes the implement in question and proceeds to do things her way (and her way is usually more than adequate, we must say).
Nap time: We're transitioning from two naps a day down to one, and it hasn't been easy. Daddy presided over some tearful moments this past week as a way-too-tired child refused to lay down and nap. After a week or so, it seems we've found the proper time slot: from two-ish to four-ish is feeling right for all concerned.
New signs: We're still using simple sign language to beef up child to parent communications. Some recent additions to Gwendolyn's lexicon are:
swing (as in swing set),
dance,
walk,
run,
friend,
dirty,
clean and the all important
careful.
Bouncy Castle: Gwendolyn has decided she is now big enough and brave enough to enter the Bouncy Castle at weekly gym time. Daddy always climbs in with her and stays close to ward off any three to five year-olds hurtling her way. She can barely stand up in the thing, let alone bounce, but loves to try. Don't worry, folks -- we're being
very careful on this one!
"Run around": Finally, here's a little video of Gwendolyn doing her favourite post-diaper change activity: running around the bedroom with just her diaper on. Once you've watched it, you'll know it was recorded just before a recent bedtime.
The hall between the two mirrored closet doors is a particular favourite running/dancing place, for obvious reasons. (Yes, our little girl is a bit of a narcissist.) In case you're wondering, when she claps her fists together mid-way through the clip, she's showing you (and telling you) the sign she's learned for
hippo. Daddy is pretty confident he also hears her say
two hands, muffin,
open,
Grandma and wall.
