So we hit the 6 month mark a few days ago. I don't even know where to start. She is the most amazing, happiest little person. She is not moody in anyway, shape or form. Whereas her sister jumps from one mood to another, Beach Ball is just a squishy ball of happiness. All day, everyday.
She was not a good sleeper when she first came to us. She was frightened of the crib or the alone-ness, I'm not sure. But now, she's a good sleeper. She goes to bed in 2 minutes flat. Putting her to bed used to be a nightmare, now it's like: Bed Time! OK, bye bye! She's out before we can get to the basement. She does, however, like to be up sometime around 6 am.... luckily for her, her father and the dogs are early risers! Dumpling and I, not so much!
A few weeks ago, a local reader/new friend came over****. She happens to be an OT and she played with BB and re-assessed some of her delays. She is very much in the 2 year old spectrum. We still do work on her abs and dexterity and knees, but she's well within the range. She still isn't much of a talker, but lately, it's really starting to come along. She's got lots of sounds for things, lots more words, and she loves to read outloud to herself. She'll just grab a book and babble endlessly.
The biggest change by far is the expression of affection. We have gone from biting and scratching to reciprocical hugs. When you asked for a hug 2 months ago, she was very much like a wet fish, letting you hug her and kiss her, but it was all on you. Now, she squeezes the bejesus out of you when you hug. And she'll just come over and hug and kiss you in themiddle of doing something else! I came believe we've gotten to that point so quickly!
She is delicious and scrumptious. She has a temper, that's for sure. But it's never unprovoked. There are no questions as to her behaviours or reactions. She gets mad when her sister pushes her around or takes things from her. She likes to be with us and hates when we leave her, but she adjusts well to being with others. She LOVES spending the day with her big sister and M the babysitter. So much so that M was hired to spend the day with Dumpling and we would keep Beach Ball with the one of us not working that day, but she's having none of it. She wants to be with the big girls.
That is not to say that she is not afraid of us leaving her. She LOVES to swim and will be a much better swimmer than Dumpling in no time. So we signed her up for private swim lessons at the local pool. During the first lesson, after watching Dumpling with the instructor for 30 min, she was DYING to have her turn in there and all it took for her to go with him was me putting my feet in the water. And she jumped right into his arms and was off for her own 30 min session. But the second time we went, Dumpling needed to go to the bathroom, so we elected to send BB in first. We used the same technique: I sat by the edge of the pool and splashed with her, than suggested she jump into the water and go swimming with the instructor. Oh No. No Way, not this time. It quickly turned into a full blown panic attack that lasted hours. It was so bad, Dumpling went into the lesson, but was so scared of BB's reaction that she had her own breakdown 15 min into it and had to go home. We have had no lessons since.
This Sunday, we celebrate. She doesn't turn 2 until next Wednesday, but we'll party a little early to take advantage of the nice weather and the pool.
*** This new friend got her own referral today. I don't want to say anything or give a link to her blog because I don't have her permission, but let me tell you, she'll be bringing home one YOUNG little baby! Congrats! And I'm so happy we met and I can't wait to lay eyes on your little girl! It's crazy, another family we are friends with got their referral last month and are leaving shortly, and a blog friend got a referral today as well! Babies everywhere!
