wee update

I never get around to posting all the tiny things I think to tell about, through a day with Sylvana, because I'm busy having a day with Sylvana. But here's a few scribbles:

- I was saying a few days ago that she'd be running in a week. I've now seen her take several running steps in a row. By the way, she'll be nine months, next week.

- She's very into feeding herself now. Today she feasted on pomegranate seeds, cheerios, and frozen blueberries, while I supped at the cream of broccoli soup I'd just thrown together. It was charming and convivial, and I told her the best joke evar, by vacuuming up her leftover blueberries with my mouth. She laughed with a waterfall of blueberry juice down to her bellybutton.

- I'm almost sure that she's now signing back to me. She's recognized the sign I made for Trekker, her front carrier, for at least a couple of months now, but it's very recent that she seems to be making it in return. Not initiating it, but doing it after I do, to convey that she understands.

- Last week, I was unthinkingly holding her at light-switch level, and it being a Thing, she wanted it. When I put her within reach, she flipped it on and off a couple of times, and then laughed in uproarious delight. Access to technology! Playing with lights! She is oh so clearly her father's daughter.

- We went to the baby play area of the Museum of Science yesterday, which I previously hadn't known existed. It was revelatory. Ten-fifteen minutes driving distance away, a space where she can be safe, stimulated, in the company of other kids...I even felt like I could bring a book and just hang out in her vicinity. It won't be the only activity I do with her in the winter, but it in itself brought me plenty of relief, to know it'll be there for when going outside isn't a good option.