the belén update

For any of you who are wondering what Bel is up to these days, here are a few little nuggets.

anyone for a bit o cheese?

She is starting to eat real food with us. This is particularly exciting for me because it often takes me back to my own childhood. There was a time in my life when lunch meant sharing a "mountain salad" with my mom. I would sit on her lap and eat bite for bite off the same plate. The other day I had Bel in my arms sharing a yogurt - we were happy as clams - I welled up just realizing how much my mom loves me.

Bel is not too keen on lettuce just yet but she is a fan of cheese, canned peaches, bananas, oatmeal, animal crackers and the list is growing.

She has decided to crawl using the conventional method. She still uses the army crawl for commuting down the hallway in search of her parents, but has learned that being on her knees gives her a good view and a better angle to climb, grab objects and clear obstacles in her path.

She is learning to mimick us. This was so fun to watch her copy Ryan the other night. (Please excuse my breathy, supressed laughter in the background)

ps she loves her dad - this is my favorite thing in the world - they have so much fun together. I'm fairly certain that she is happiest when playing with her daddy. Just a few illustrations of her love...

The other day we were playing in the front room when Ryan came home for lunch. Before he was visible she heard the sound of the key in the door and all at once she stopped playing with her toys, drew in her breath and looked up - the she looked at me and smiled with anticipation, when Ryan walked in she started squealing and crawling toward him.

If he is studying in the office she will crawl to the door and start knocking on it and making little hoots at her dad - sometimes when he's gone she will crawl to the doorway and look at his empty desk disappointedly. I am pretty sure this little girl will be learning how to fly fish.

Don't worry though she is a fan of both of us - if we are standing close together she can't ever decide who she wants to be held by and will reach for the other parent, getting passed back and forth after being held for a few seconds.

(I posted twice tonight, so don't miss the promised skate park action below)