What's New: Crobawobob!

Listening to Annabelle as she reads books to herself is the most enjoyable thing I think I've done all week. In the car today, she was looking at From Head to Toe when I heard her excitedly shout, "Crobawobob!" followed soon after by the sound of her finger slamming into the book because she was pointing so hard and then, "hip! hip!" A quick glance back confirmed that she was on the page that reads, "I am a crocodile and I wiggle my hips." Awhile ago there was a brief period during which books failed to excite, but we are very much in a book adoring stage right now.

Fantastic friends

We are also very much in the rainy season here on Guam, so we've taken advantage of an indoor play area that opened not long ago, along with some of our besties. This week, Annabelle mastered the use of the toddler climbing structure and slide. I was blown away to see the progression from very little interest in the structure, to wanting help to use it over and over again a few days later, to needing no help whatsoever on our very next visit. It's great to be able to get some gross motor in even when it's raining in sideways sheets outside.

The daddy returned this evening after having been away for a little over two weeks. We really, really missed him. If you've been reading awhile, you may remember that he had to leave when Annabelle was ten days old, and I did the solo parenting thing until his return eight months later. That wasn't easy by any means, and I certainly missed him, but I managed. This time, though? Two and a half weeks felt like two and a half months! Annabelle, being much older now, really felt his absence. She asked for him often, and then answered herself by saying, "'waii, 'waii!" When we met him at the airport on his return from Hawaii, Annabelle looked a bit confused and he walked through the gate, but then she lit up and went running. Several people were watching this heartwarming father-daughter moment when, much to our surprise, Annabelle ran right past her dad and kept going. The daddy and I were both surprised to see how long it took her to warm up to him again. I think we underestimated the effect separations, however short, can have. It's awfully confusing!

Waiting for dad at the airport

Apparently I need to stop talking about our sleep situation altogether, or just always tell you, no matter what, that it's a disaster. After all of my exhaustion and frustration spilled out last week, things began to resemble an actual, reasonable human sleeping pattern around here again. Last night, Annabelle had what I would consider to be her best night's sleep since she was about two months old and she followed it up with a fantastic nap today. We'll see how things progress. I may or may not actually tell you.

Speaking of sleep, Gaby over at TMuffin just wrapped up a fantastic series on the subject that really helped me relax at a time when I was probably overly stressed about Annabelle's rest, or lack thereof. I highly recommend that you check it out! In the middle of it, she stopped to accept the Versatile Blogger Award, and was kind enough to bestow it on me. Since lovely MJ passed it to me a few months back, I have filled the web with more fun facts about me than it probably needs, so I'll send you over to read about Gaby instead! Should you choose to stay awhile, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

That's the gist of what's new around these parts. What's happening with you and your family? I would truly like to know! 

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Today is your last day to stop by our facebook page and say hello before I choose three people to receive a package with local Guam treats.

Interested in elimination communication? Don't miss yesterday's review and giveaway of the fantastic new resource: EC Simplified.