one morning she woke up making a sound i have never heard before. it was a happy little squeal, as high pitched as you can imagine. and she probably would've stayed in her cot that way for some time, but i couldn't resist that sweet sweet music, drawing me closer to her nursery! she started kicking her legs (as she always does) in excitement for her morning feed. and now, every morning since, she wakes up (from nap or the night) with that happy squeal. she also puts herself to sleep that way. also, she does it, because like her father, she loves the sound of her own voice.
(for example, putting herself down for a nap the other day...)
the next day, she started crying from a nap that she woke too early from, and i was startled, it wasnt her sweet little baby cry, it was the sound of a proper toddler! what? when did this happen? was it from all the high pitched noises she was making, that her throat could no longer manage that sweet little infant cry? anyway, it made me cry a grown up cry.
later that day, as she was having some necessary "tummy time" (which she has always hated, she would just whine and whine till i felt so bad i picked her up). i turned her over to her back while i went to the kitchen to grab something or other, and when i walked back in she was on her side, trying with all her might to get back to her belly. after a ten second struggle, she made it! so of course, i put her back on her back, then watched her turn over, over and over again. each time getting quicker and quicker. of course now she is a pro. the best part is that she still hates being on her belly, so each time she successfully rolls over, her face is not proud or happy, it's the funniest little look. like "hey, how did I get on my belly? I HATE being on my belly! when did this happen? turn me over!" because of this deep dislike, she now is trying with all her might, not to roll back over, but bring her knees up under with her arms straight. kind of like a wheel barrow thing going on. don't quite get what she is doing, but my best bet is she is attempting to crawl. (attempting!)
(a video)
some days later we were doing our usual round the house activities, and since is was the bajillionth consecutive day of rain/high wind/ all-around terrible weather and clay had our car (his broke down), we were stuck inside. bored. now, willow is a big girl. she is a eater. and lately i just cant keep up. even when my boobs are plumb empty, she is still hungry. so ive tried eating more, feeding her more, etc. to no avail. but anyway, ive been kinda putting off this whole solid food thing, because its kinda a sad thing to give up (being the 100% source of all her nutritional need). but since that day was exceptionally rotten, and we were exceptionally bored, i mashed a banana and on it went, straight into her mouth. oh my goodness, the look on her face. she lapped up that first spoonful then swiftly demanded more. so grown up. also, need i mention the poo that followed? weirrrrrd.
(some pictures of the experience)