18th century Nursery Rhymes and Fun with Words

Evelyn is nearing the eighteen month mark and she has become quite verbal; I am really enjoying this stage. It is endlessly entertaining to ask her to say a new word, something I do because she enjoys saying new words-- not simply for my own pleasure. Today, for instance, she learned to say the words "flexible" and "attention." She has also been stringing three words together into sentences pretty regularly: "Cut the carrot, please" (please is usually signed at this point) or "Where the doll?"

I'm not sure what the main catalyst for this language development is, probably a combination of genetics and her environment-- all of the talking, reading, and singing that we do in our daily lives. I suspect that reading has played a large part. Books are always available and Evie is aware that Mama and Daddy are always working on a book or two. We assembled a display-style bookshelf in addition to the totes of books in the living room.

We have been reading to Evelyn since she was born and for the past several months she has taken a special interest in reading her own books or nursery rhymes. She has memorized quite a few of the stories. I sang a rhyme to her in the car today and stopped short; my attention momentarily pulled away from the song. Not to worry, Evie took over! Chris told me later that she has been finishing the rhymes with him for a few days. Chris sings most of the line and then pauses for Evie to finish it. Here is their favorite: "Sing a song of sixpence, a pocket full of rye. Four-and-twenty blackbirds baked in a pie. When the pie was opened, the birds began to sing. Wasn't that a dainty dish to put before the king?"

At any rate, it is a lot of fun to watch Evie develop a passion for reading and language and I am continually amazed by the things that pop out of her mouth; I love having a little window into her mind.

Snapshot: What's cooking?

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!
(broadcasting with pride from a battery and 99% plastic-free zone)





















The best gifts are of course the intangible ones: the presence of beloved family members, a beautiful Christmas Mass this morning, and the absolute joy shining from Evie's blue eyes as she giggles and plays chase with her uncles, brings her "Dabo" a book to read together, or enjoys an up-close view of the handbells with Mimi.

Mini-Post: Thankful!

I just want to say that I am so, so thankful for the friends Evie and I have made in the Seattle area. Life as a stay-at-home mom (and life as a person in a new city, regardless of occupation) has the potential to be isolating, and I am so happy that it isn't for me. Sure, I have moments (and days) that seem unending or lonely, but by and large I have a great social outlet. And, actually, it is much more than an "outlet;" I would gladly hand over my last clean shirt to many of the Mama friends I've made and as the mother of a tot, I think that says something!

Hi Baby!

I had another appointment with my midwife this morning and after a great chat, and some back-and-forth about what on earth I can try to eat in the morning to get some more calories and protein into my body (food allergies are such a bummer sometimes!), she checked my weight, blood pressure, and fundal height. Everything looks perfectly healthy and normal but we could not hear baby's heart tones with the doppler after quite a while. We heard the heart beat at our ten week appointment and everything indicated a healthy pregnancy, but rather than have me worry all through Christmas and New Year's until my next appointment, my midwife strongly recommended a quick ultrasound to do a viability check.

My own heart raced a bit as I drove over to another office for the ultrasound, but it quickly calmed as I saw a little baby the size of a lemon, kicking his or her feet and we saw the heart beating. 162 beats per minute-- faster than Evelyn's ever was during pregnancy! I had only anticipated one ultrasound for this pregnancy and I only had one when I was carrying Evie-- I have low risk, normal pregnancies and I like to limit ultrasound heat exposure, but this three minute scan certainly did put my mind at ease! On the way home, I asked Evelyn if she was having a baby brother or a baby sister. She answered, "baby sis!" . . . my guess is that she can't say "brother" at all, it is a tough word. So, Evie's vote is "girl," my Dad is thinking "boy," and I just KNOW we are having a baby.

An Entire Day to Yourself

What would you do with a whole day to yourself? My first thought is to sleep at least nine hours in a row and then eat a leisurely breakfast-- on an actual plate (not just a yogurt out of the container). I would love to go to the spa for a massage and a vichy shower treatment. I'd read a good novel, maybe an old favorite like "The World According to Garp" or maybe a new book I haven't had the chance to enjoy. I'd remember to drink plenty of water and take the time to make a delicious green salad for lunch.

Honestly, I almost can't fathom having that much time on hands. My mind jumps ahead to the household tasks I could accomplish if uninterrupted and, certainly, by the end of twenty-four hours I would miss my husband and daughter. I don't think I'll be ready anytime soon to actually spend a whole day away from Evie (or Chris-- we haven't been apart for more than the length of a work day since we married) but it is fun to daydream, especially after a hectic day!

Snapshot: Winter Fountain