Lately with Eva

"Lately with Eva" sounds like a talk show... anyway, lately, my sweet Evangeline (20mos and 25lbs) has become ever more the delight to her Mummzie and Dad. She's talking in sentences now which so often crack us up! I'm diligently trying to write her "funnies" down so I won't forget these joyful, leaving-babyhood days as she's learning her world. The other day (well it was a month ago) we arrived home from a trip to find that snow had covered the yard in melting patches. Eva was quite displeased. She scrunched up her face and declared, "Yucky!" She pointed at the muddy water, "Mess. Grass mess, look."

Also, thanks to Sesame Street (and Mummzies positive reinforcement??!), she loves counting. She started this before Christmas and it was fabulous fun to "show off" our 1-10 trick for all the family! I'm pretty sure tho that she only grasps the number concept as far as three. She can go get you 1, 2, or 3 items, but beyond that it gets fuzzy. We are also practicing following instructions, which she thinks in a most delightful game. I'm trying to describe things to her and see if she understands; I guess it is a fun game! "Eva, can you go get Mommy a big book?"

Room-time is also going swimmingly. She has 2 times a day that she has playtime in the toy room for 45min to an hour. Most days it's with a video for company, but we're working on just the playing. I've tried to have her do a craft of some sort during this time, but that ended quickly when she bit the tops off the markers she was making her art with. What a (cute?) little animal. She really seems to enjoy the daily routine of it all tho and so does Mummzie. Order is a blessing!

She delights in helping Mummzie with chores around the house each week, especially sweeping, and daily brings reports of messes she's discovered... even if it's just one raisin. "Mommy! Mess! Ray-in!" (said with great disgust) And she's learning that when she makes a mess that she needs to help take responsibility for it either with helping clean it up or by telling Mummzie she's sorry. (for dropping her bowl of cottage cheese on Mummzie's new boots)

Today was one of the funniest moments we've had with her using her new apologizing skills. Babygirl was hanging out with Daddy watching "foo-bul yay!" on tv in the playroom when she realized that she needed to "go." (she's very conscious of her bowels..good for training this fall!??) She reported her need to Daddy with typical concern in her voice. Have I mentioned before that Eva is a very private potty-goer? She doesn't "go" unless she's alone or thinks she's alone. And often her favorite "spot" to go is in her playroom during room-time, so you understand her predicament here. So Daddy (not wanting to miss the gripping play-off game?) suggested she go in her bedroom for her needed privacy. (sorry to disappoint, but this is not the setup to a poop disaster story, Tiff and Jess.) Well, after some convincing and reassurance, off she went to her room to "take care of business." A moment or two pass... then we hear from her room, "Sorry, Mommy." And another moment passes, "Sorry... a diaper a change?"

That's my girl.

My girl is also growing in being kind (not abusive) to her baby dolls. Her favorite game used to be smacking them against things or throwing them across the playroom. She would make screaming noises and everything. (Perhaps another "game" learned from her older boy buddies?)

Now there is only love for "Baby Clow-dee-er" (Claudia) and "Boy" (not pictured)