Walking might actually be fun

Its no secret that after an initial surge, Scarlett has scrapped walking for the preferred crawling or cruising. Perhaps it is the hardwood floors (although she has a padded play area, and her daycare is fully carpeted). Perhaps it is fear of falling (even though she is basically immune if she falls, hits her head, or goes head first into a glass door/wall... as long as she is having a good time and is not cranky before impact.) Perhaps its just that crawling is easier and she doesn't see the value in walking just yet. Was that fine German engineered baby walker a big waste of money??? Well, the good news is that things are starting to change. She is starting to figure out that #1, if she takes a step or two she gets A LOT of positive feedback (and we all know how she likes to play to a crowd); #2 similar to her first crawl, she takes pride in learning something new and challenging; and #3 ITS FUN! We've been working with her on the front lawn after picking her up from daycare. She looks so happy when she takes a step or two with her arms open wide ready for a big hug when she reaches us. A few days ago on a whim, I dusted off the walker, stood Scarlett up and placed her hands on the bars. Off she went! Of course coordination will take some time, but she was taking many steps and was giggling and gleaming with pride. The walker would get ahead of her and she would either take a gigantic lunge, or take a knee and start over. It only took her a month and a half to warm up to it, but the walker is one of her favorite "new" toys. She does get tired of it much quicker than simple stationary toys and it probably has something to do with physical fatigue more than anything. Her little legs start shaking and she is done standing for a while... pretty funny.

Giggling has been the theme of the week. She has been giggling constantly, whether she is in the carrier with Shonna, playing in her pen, at a restaurant (with Penny and Jerry Tuesday), at her friends birthday party (Saturday afternoon with Caroline, Bonnie, and Mike) or in a crowd like we were Saturday late afternoon at "Vintage Crystal City" http://www.crystalcity.org/do/vintage-crystal1.

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This week (or dare I say month) has been rough. My crazy month of work has coincided with Scarlett's blossoming into a little toddler. She has always had a lot of personality, but these days she is on fire! As Paul said, she is laughing constantly and is always playing little games. She also seems to really notice when we are gone and squeals with excitement (which quickly turns into a scream if you don't go to her immediately) when we get home. Those changes plus the physical strides make me feel like I am missing a LOT. Even though I typically rush home from work whenever possible to spend my evenings with the family, it feels like it goes by REALLY fast and I'm always extending bedtime just a little bit to get some extra time with her. I'm looking forward to next week once my last site visit for the month is over and I can take a few days off and spend some quality time with her. Jacy and family should also be up here by then, so I'm hoping to get some good time with everyone!

Scarlett started swimming lessons tonight at Washington-Lee High School (through Arlington County). Paul went in the water with her while I took video and watched from the sidelines. It looked like they were having fun and she was getting the hang of it, but it was really loud in there and a pretty big class, so I couldn't hear anything the instructor was saying! Paul said he couldn't hear very well either. Hopefully just being in the water will help!

She is getting so much stronger, even since last week. Paul mentioned that she started using her walker. Well, since she started using it a few days ago, she went from falling down because it went faster than she did to being able to control it really well and do lap after lap (after lap, after lap...) around the house. It's crazy to see how fast she picks things up. If only my muscles advanced as quickly as hers do!

Yea she really is getting stronger, especially now in the legs. Speaking of getting stronger, I hope the video is more focused on Scarlett and not my out of shape arse. I'll do some major editing... :)