What's New Wednesday: This Too Shall Pass

Since Annabelle was born, I have often found myself silently repeating the words, "this, too, shall pass." When something becomes exhausting or frustrating, I do my best to remember that everything at this age really is a phase, and none of the things that wear me out now will last forever. Recently, it has really struck me just how true this is. 

For what felt like an eternity, taking the girl out in our yard to play was exhausting. We could not take our eyes off her for even the briefest moment, because she would find a perfect, windpipe-sized rock and shove it into her mouth. It was as though she was waiting for us to look away. It occurred to me, as we lazed around outside one morning this week, that the girl has not put a rock in her mouth for as long as I can remember. I still watch fairly vigilantly, of course, but I can relax and enjoy our time outside together so much more now. The rock-shoving phase really did pass - so quickly that I didn't even notice.

Another phase that seems to be on its way out, though it will likely take its time, is the one that involves regular potty "misses." Suddenly they're almost nonexistent! I need to wash diapers tomorrow, but only because it has been so long. I washed Friday morning, but the pail stayed empty until we had a wet diaper on Sunday morning. There was one more Sunday and another Monday, then nothing until dinner time Wednesday (today). We were sitting at breakfast during the weekend when Annabelle starting pointing at her diaper. "Do you need to go to the bathroom?" I asked. She answered with a "yeah," so I took her in the coffee shop bathroom and held her over the toilet. She peed immediately, as I watched in amazement. Maybe we're not doing it wrong after all! As an aside to those who worry they're doing it wrong, this comes on the heels of two weeks or more of near constant misses. I won't be surprised if we leave and reenter this phase a few times before full potty independence is reached.

The girl has continued with the new words this week as well. I suppose I could just be hearing things, but I swear she tries to repeat words, even new ones, after me all the time. A friend shared of her avocado bounty yesterday, and Annabelle toddled over to me with a fruit in hand. "I see you have an avocado," I said, and she echoed back, "'cado." She has done the same with so many words lately, but it still shocks me every time. 

I am suddenly getting so much more done around the house as Annabelle becomes increasingly able to join in. Where in the past she would have been frustrated and wanted my attention, I can now involve her and I am constantly in awe of how much she understands. She was getting grumpy as I was trying to tidy up a bit before dinner this evening so I handed her something I needed to take to the laundry and asked her if she would do it instead: "Here, can you take this to the laundry?" "Yeah!" A few moments later I heard her grunts of frustration from the next room as she attempted to get the item into the taller-than-her laundry basket. I love having the ability to interact with her on this entirely new level. 

The girl also loves the song "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" and pointing to all of the body parts mentioned on herself, or on her mama and daddy. She's way too fun.

Speaking of things that will pass before I know it, though, the phase where Annabelle needs to be attached to me to stay asleep at night is very much with us tonight, so it's off to bed with me. I would love to hear what's new with your family this week!