Looking Back

Well, in three days, Sylvia will be a year and a half which seems a lot more significant than turning two. At this time, a year ago, we had just moved into our new place in Evanston and Sylvia was trying to sit up. She was just trying mushy bananas mixed with breast milk and was smiling when we shook things in her face. We would tap her on the swings, afraid to send her soaring too high, and now, she loves to be pushed high and lifts her head up to watch the swing move back and forth. She holds her own bananas (I still get to peel them) and she's weaned herself of breastfeeding at 16 months. Instead of just sitting, she is now trying to climb everything in sight - the rocking chair, the coffee table, the bed, the sofa - anything climbable. Where did this baby go? Perhaps, we'll be asking this the rest of our lives. It is exciting to be part of this growing adventure with Sylvia. She learned how to tickle me tonight which she and Chris thought was quite amusing. Serves me right after all the tickling she gets.

I have to say what is most amazing is her own patience. She is training us, right? I'm not sure where is she is hiding the books about raising parents. She, the 18 month old toddler, at her check up today, waited more calmly than I did for an two hours for our entire appointment to be completed. Another child was ill, so there was a back up. Not knowing this, I felt crazed - how could these people leave me caged up with this child for an hour in a small doctor's office? I felt like it would have served them right if she had dismantled the computer which she almost did, however, I set up a blockade with several chairs. After the doctor told us that another child was very ill, I felt extremely grateful that other than a few colds and coughs, sleepless nights, and a little vomit, we've had this amazing year and a half of wellness.

During our 2 hours, Sylvia entertained me. We improvised and played move the raisins from one ziplock bag to another for a good 15 minutes, then there was count the cars, marching in a circle, take the pen in and out of the bag, and a small tantrum about the computer (Sylvia, not myself). Sylvia, however, managed better than I did. She is 32 1/2 inches and 22 lbs now. She is talking up a storm and moving even faster. She also braved her shot well and was proud of her sticker.