New tricks every day

Ryanne's vocabulary is suddenly exploding. Today she muttered 'sues' when I was putting her shoes on to go out. She's also working on "mini mmm" which is either Minnie or Mickey Mouse. She gets very excited about either one. "Dider" continues to come out periodically. Also today she popped off with "baby" and "dababy" while I was talking about her being the baby while I drove around. She'll say "dentle" while she pulls the cats' tails or fistfuls of fur. She even remembers to give up a "tantoo" every now and then when you give her something. She's working on Elmo - right now it's closest to "memo" - who is one of her favorites.

I'm also amazed at what she recognizes. She correctly retrieves a book and puts her arms up into chicken formation when I ask about the chicken dance. She knows what her toys are. She knows where the potty is. She knows what noise the cats make - "maaar" - and what noise the dogs make - "aaaaaf" in a shrill little girl voice. She'll lean forward with her nose out when I ask if she wants to smell something. She knows what it means to not throw stuff on the floor, even though she'll do it anyway. She also knows what I mean when I tell her to stay out of the cat's food, but will still pick it up piece by piece and move it around or put it in the water. She knows what the TV is *sigh*.

She still won't let me put clips in her hair, but I've been better about keeping her in girly clothing so I've gotten fewer questions about my little boy.

She still loves music and will quickly dance whenever any song comes on the radio or MP3, even if we're in the car. She's got quite a car dance.

She is also becoming more fascinated by other babies. Today she wanted to pet a little boy's head - he was older - and every time we saw another baby, she got SO excited. I wish there were more opportunities for socialization here, like Gymboree or a daycare I understood. I guess we'll have to settle for whoever we run into at the park and make an effort to get there more often.

Oh, and in the ever increasing repertoire of ways to wake mommy up (usually raspberries to any exposed skin with the occasional hug or kiss), dada has taught her that I'm a pony. Now she'll climb on my back or tummy and bounce up and down until I buck around and throw her off to fits of screaming and giggling. Must find way to repay...