A friend nudged me today, pointing out that it had been a while since I had written here. Life is a whirlwind with her lately. She is adding new words and interacting on a whole new level. I ask her to get the phone for me and she takes off to go get it. Talking on the phone is one of her all time favorite activities. She is also fascinated with shoes and is trying to figure out the best way to put them on. She puts on my shoes which isn't so bad, but when she puts Matt's shoes on, then it is hysterical. Matt's shoes are almost as long as she is tall. (well, not quite, but you get the idea.)

She is a very loving child. She gives our foster dog lots of hugs and kisses, and when we come in the door from errands, she gives Ella a big hug. Hamlet also gets lots of kisses and pats. The pets have taught her that she has to be gentle or they will run away. She is much more gentle than other children without pets.

I had a special moment in the grocery store with her. She was very tired and cranky, and I knew I was on borrowed time before the tantrum set in. Without any warning, she grabs my shirt, yanks me down to her face and she gives me a nice soft smooch with a smackeroony sound to go with it. And she keeps doing it down the aisle. I give her a hug and kiss back, and she starts laughing in delight. So we walk down the aisle laughing and smooching. And yes, I was crying a bit too. She can be such a joy and a wonder to me.

He favorite words now are cat, car, shoes and up. She points to the car keys and says car, points to a cat or a picture of a cat and says cat, and points to the attic and says up when she wants to explore the third floor. Lotsof exciting new things to do.