ISN'T SHE LOVELY?

Readers Beware: The material in this post may be inappropriate for anyone other than Calli's grandparents or other parents feeling nostalgic. This is just some adoring ramblings about my daughter.

I took her in for a routine check-up this week, finding still that she is a lightweight (19.9 lbs.) with a head start in becoming a chatterbox. The doctor asked how she was doing and what words she was saying-- Her questions caught me off guard a little, so I spouted off the obvious. Later that day I started listening with more intent--I was amazed at all she can say and do. This led to a little game of paying more attention, thus becoming even more smitten by my little girl.

Before I go on, take note of the following from author Anna Quindlen (as quoted by Elder M. Russell Ballard) ...“The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less."

Not to fall into that trap, I am trying to "live in the moment." This week I succeeded.

Here's what I noticed:

Words She Can Say With Ease:

Dada

Baby

Ball

Nana (as in Banana)

No, No (must not forget this one)

(still waiting for YES, YES to counter No, No)

Yeah (with claps, not yes in the affirmative, still waiting...)

Hi, Hello, Bye-Bye

Uh-Oh

Wow, Whoa, What

Words She Can Say When She Wants To:

Mama, Mommy (not sure why she's forgetting this one)

Up please (why say it when grunting, screaming and tantrums work just fine)

Words She's Starting to Copy:
Cookie (of course she's mastering this one already)

Icky, Stinky, Dirty

Grandpa (more like un-pa)

Words She's Working On All By Herself:

Me, Mine (Declaration of Independence)

Dog

Cow

Things She's Doing That Are Too Irresistible To Not Mention:

Saying "umm" after she tastes something yummy (another word I failed to mention)

Playing dress up in Mommy's bathroom (bracelets on arms, "pretties" in her hair, grown up shirts on sideways and grabbing a purse when we go-- just wondering why the pretties are only fun to wear and keep on INSIDE of the house?)

Running (speed-walking) to Daddy when he comes home to give hugs

Kisses in church when Mommy can actually sit in the audience with her (even though they are open mouth, on the lips, in public)

The phone: (cell, her cell, her old-school toy dial phone, cordless, remote control or anything else that resembles a phone, even a bookmark) saying hi or hello on it non-stop

Attempts to put keys in the door and car ignition (Mommy, Miss Independent is ready now)

Making soup (mixing her spoon and bowl or bucket and shovel together)

Sharing toys with kids at the library and her friend, Evan

Finding babies everywhere-- in pictures, on diaper boxes, at the store, even pointing to a mom with a stroller at the park (She could not see the baby in there, but she saw the stroller alone--pointed to it and said to me, "Baby")

Loving her dolls-- cuddling them and patting them on the back

Folding her arms for nighttime prayers

Sorry if these lists made you incredibly bored or a little nauseous. I warned you from the start! But really she is most lovely! Isn't she the loveliest when she's napping and I can actually write this post? (Earlier today I tried and she shut the computer off while I was typing.) Here's one more list that may appeal to a broader audience:

Other Triumphs of the Week:

Paid homage to Stevie Wonder and pulled out a collection I have of his (there's so much more than "I Just Called To Say I Love You")

Broke a fashion rule with confidence (wore an all white dress to church AFTER Labor Day, figured it was okay since it was 104 degrees in September)

Managed to exercise a few times (including a 6 am yoga session)

Got three wearings out of a light-colored pair of pants before having to stain treat, wash, or iron them (no cracker crumbs or crayon marks, WOW)

Learned how to do a chain stitch in crochet (hope the stitch name is right!)

Wrote two blog entries in a 7 day period...maybe all of you can start to expect a little more!