Faster than a speeding bullet . . .

Everyone has always mentioned how quickly little ones grow. Before you know it, they're smiling back at you. Then one day they are crawling, walking and talking. The next thing you know, you've almost forgotten how small they started off, how light they were, and how incredibly fragile they seemed to be. Well, in Kenna's case, she wasn't small for long and she never seemed quite fragile. And it seems she'll be walking befor too long (she's pulling herself up and working on the leg coordination now). And I still remember how small she was and when she first smiled at me.

She's become so aware now. I say this more because she seems to know what she can and what she cannot do. She knows when she can't pull herself up and yet wants up, so she turns to me and extends her arms as if to say, "hey, lady, a little help here please." She just seems to get things that are in process. So when she's about to eat and I'm cutting up food for her, she waits until I have the little bits on her tray. When I'm making her bottle, she knows that there is mixing and assembly and then finding a dribble towel and then sitting in our chair before she gets her snack. It is amazing to me that she gets it all like she understands that there is always a process to things happening around her.

That isn't to say that she has patience. She is still her father's daughter. ; ) Speaking of which, she called him "Da-da-da!" this morning (Father's Day). You should have seen the smile of his face!

I'm glad we take pictures, so I don't forget these times as quickly. And still I also know that I keep them locked in my personal memories too.

Below are are some pictures of Shivani Kori and Kenna. Shivani is the daughter of our good friends Arun & Mamta. These were taken at Michelle's bridal shower.
Enjoy!

Sqirmy Wormy makes diaper changing fun!

So she flips now. Not only does she flip but she also flops . . . and reaches and grabs and pulls every diaper out of the basket next to her changing table and then tries with quickness to crawl away before I can get the diaper on her sweet, little koondingy (that's Ko for "butt"). Forever gone are the days I could lay her down and change her causally, taking time to align the little tabs evenly on each side of Cookie Monster or Elmo's picture, throw away the dirty diaper, wash my hands and return to see her smiling and waiting to be picked up. Now she's twisitng as I try to remove the dirty diaper, squealing "FREEDOM!!!" and trying to crawl away like she's being chased, giggling.

She crawls now, too! Some babies start off with the army crawl - arms moving while they drag their little legs trying to avoid the sniper fire overhead. Kenna has more of the wounded solider crawl - she drags one leg and one arm as though she's been shot in battle. It's not the prettiest crawl, but she certainly gets where she wants to go. That is, she goes until she would rather be carried. That's my job - Kenna's beck and call girl.

Four more teeth coming in (front on top), and she's taking it like a trooper. She claps her hands and is learning to pull herself up. Her first word that seemed more than random babble and like she meant it was "Oma" (that's Ko for "mom"). She was calling for me as I was leaving for work yesterday and leaving her with a caregiver. Sigh. . . . it was the first time I did feel that yearning to just say, "to hell with work; I'm staying home with my baby!" whereas most days I'm like, "ok, Baby, see you (kiss)!" So, now I guess she knows me as oma/mama.

Several firsts in the last months, and we're excited for more. Can't wait for the family to come for her first birthday this July!