What our girl has been up to

Lexi was looking at a magazine this evening (favorite pasttime) that has a picture of a little girl. She points to it and says ‘Lexi’. Before this, when she pointed as a picture of a child (even herself) she would always say 'Baby'. Guess she is still having problems figuring out who Lexi is!

Someone (Jane?) must have pointed out a map with Africa on it. She looks through a book that has maps in it, points and says 'Africa', even if the map is of Europe.

Lexi wore her Halloween t-shirt –the one that lights up when she moves – yesterday and then saw it in the clothes basket and insisted on wearing it again today. No one here is shocked by a Halloween t-shirt in March!

She has also taken to trying to walk around in my sandals. They don't stay on for very long but she gives it her best shot.

Lexi can almost open the doors in our house. She has to reach up on tiptoees but she is very close to getting the handle to move. The handles are not knobs so they are easy to grip. This could get dangerous!

Lexi playing peek-a-boo in the curtains

Lexi and Jane enjoying freshly baked bread

Dirty!

Lexi knows when things are dirty. If her hands are dirty, she will say 'dirty' and hold them out to you. If she sees something on the table, she says 'dirty' and points at it. On Sunday we were at a friend's house and Lexi saw that the one coffee table (in the corner) was dirty. So of course, she declared it! Hope she didn't embarress them too much.

Another tooth??

I think Lexi might be getting another tooth..periods of unexplained crabbiness, more drool than usual, runny nose. I’ll keep you posted! (She only has 7 at the moment, so there’s lots more to come.)

Behavior Changing?

I wonder if Stephen’s absence is effecting Lexi’s behavior. The last couple of days several times when I have done something that has made her mad, she has started calling for Daddy. Like “I’m mad at you, Mom, but Daddy will come rescue me.” And I think she has been calling Jane ‘Mommie’ for the same reasons. In the past, Lexi was always happy to see me when I came home from work. Now, Jane goes to change her clothes and Lexi starts running after her and calling ‘Mommie’. I pick her up but she still struggles for Jane – all the while, calling my name. Makes me a feel a little weird. ;).

Lexi’s vocabulary is increasing – or at least her ability to mimic words quite clearly. She is finally saying Jane’s name – she hadn’t really called her anything before. So I think I will have to watch what I say – to make sure she isn’t picking up the wrong things!

Lexi at play with Jane

Lexi at play

Daddy is stuck at the airport

Pretty much the second word out of Lexi's mouth after she says 'Daddy' is 'airport'. Poor girl thinks Dad is stuck there I guess. I try to explain that he is no longer there - but she just doesn't get it.

Lexi is also tall enough to easily get things off the counters/tables, especially if she stands on her toes. The other day I had put yogurt in her bowl and placed it on the counter. Next thing I knew the bowl was on the floor and she had yogurt all over. Must remember to push things BACK from the edge!

We went and played in the park after church on Sunday. It was quite hot so we didn't stay too long. She was interested in the swings but didn't want to sit on them herself. If I sat and put her on my lap, she was ok.

At the neighbor's

The last two days I have had meetings at work where I wouldn’t be home at the usual time to let Jane leave on time. As it takes her an hour to get home, I try not to keep her late. I made arrangements with the Coopers in #7 for Jane to take Lexi there when it was time for her to go home. You can tell that Lexi spends a lot of time at the Coopers with their 3 kids (one is 4 months older than her and they get along great). When I arrived to get her yesterday, she was happily sweeping the floor. (Yes, she does that at home too.) And then she runs around after Freddie or he after her and they play with this and that and just seem to have a ball. Freddie has a bath every night at 5:30 so as Wednesday is Lexi’s bath night, too, they thought the two kids could have their bath together. Jane tells me that Lexi was not interested. But she did get cleaned up anyway.

Tonight when I arrived they were just sitting down to dinner. So I ate with them. I felt like quite a mooch but it was nice to have dinner with some adults. I have only cooked 1 meal for myself since Stephen has been gone and have had leftovers otherwise. Then the next two nights we have dinner ‘dates’. Lexi happily goes wherever. Now she is sitting on the floor reading magazines – another favorite pastime.

Daddy. Daddy. Daddy.

Last night, Lexi and I took Stephen to the airport. Today, Lexi has been asking for Daddy all day. I keep explaining that we took him to the airport; that he is going to visit Baba and Lolo. (Stephen's parents - he will be with themin Seattle for 2 weeks before heading to DC.)


The conversation goes like this:

L: Daddy?
S: We took Daddy to the airport last night, remember?
L: airport
S: Right
L: Daddy?
S: He is going to visit Baba and Lolo.
L: Lolo.
S: Yes, you remember them?
L: Lolo.

A few second later.…..Daddy. Daddy. Daddy. (all in a calm tone but obviously inquiring about him)

Etc, etc.…..

Poor kid, she really doesn’t understand.