The adventures of two kiddos, her folks, and a cat The Belle No Longer Stands Alone

Today Annabel and I went to a baby music-and-reading class sponsored by the Minneapolis park board. This was our first time there, and it was pretty different from our ECFE class (which was with mostly the same kids all year, and the same wonderful teacher).

She started out by clinging to me, and then discovered some wrestling mats in the corner to climb on. So, while all of the other kids cooperatively played with the parachute, sang songs, and waved their little ribbon banners, the Belle climbed in the corner, ran around the room, investigated other peoples' diaper bags (looking for a snack), and generally refused to participate in any group activity. 

To top it off, she took to following another little boy around the room who was doing the same thing - and then, in turn, he would follow her. Occasionally, they would both plop down on the wrestling mat, say, "Hi!" "Hi!" (as if partners in crime), and then set off tearing around the room again, while all the other cooperative kids clapped in time with the music, walked in a circle with the parachute, or sat in their parents' laps for storytime.

Towards the end, a little girl who had been fairly timid for the whole hour started following the two of them, and all I could think was, "My kid is the influence that lead this one astray..."

But it made me grin. And actually respect her a bit more - after all, who wants a kid who sits complacently through 4 - count them, 4 - versions of the Teensy Weensy Spider and the Barney song?

Annabel has recently developed some awesome skills. To wit, she can:

1. Climb up and tumble headfirst into the bathtub.

2. Climb up and tumble headfirst into the toilet.

3. Climb up and tumble headfirst into anywhere I don't want her.

4. Unpack the bottom three drawers of my dresser. Daily.

5. Eat cat food. Yum!

6. Run through the entire litany of people who love her ("Daddy! Kate! Becca! Nonni! Auntie! Papa!"), whenever I say "no" to something - as if she is hoping they will come rescue her.

7. Simultaneously go completely limp AND wield the entire force of her mighty will through her limbs,

8. Chase the cat, with the intention of grabbing her nose and shouting "kitty! nose!"

9. Stand by the desk drawers I have placed off limits and say "No! No! No!"

10. Eat two giant pieces of fish, a whole serving of green beans, and half a bunch of grapes - and ask for more.

We're very proud.

We just spent a week at the lake with my family and the entire Scharf clan. Everyone had fun, but I think Annabel liked it more than anyone. She loved having a dozen other people around, and spent her days walking, climbing, swimming in a little kiddie pool, and playing with Elisabeth. I think we wore her out, though: she went down at naptime and bedtime without complaint, and slept about 15-16 hours/day.

At our church, the kids go to the nursery or Sunday school during the first part of the worship service; they then come down and join us for communion at the end. This past Sunday, Jon went up and got Annabel from the nursery as usual, and brought her back in time for the congregational singing. When we finished singing, she very loudly said, "More!" (She loves music, and usually requests more whenever a song ends on the radio, or when we're singing to her before bed. Apparently church is no exception.)

Then, as our pastor was saying the prayers before communion, at each "amen," the Belle added (again, loudly enough to be heard across our small sanctuary) her own, "bye!"

Annabel and I were playing on the floor this afternoon, and I had a 20 oz bottle of diet Coke. She noticed I was drinking out of it (nothing that goes in my mouth escapes her - so anytime I have a treat, she winds up having one too) and started asking, very politely, for "more, please!"

The one time she has tried pop in the past, she hated it, so I figured one sip would put an end to this request.  So I let her try it, and asked her what she thought. Her response?

"Num! More, please!"

(My response was closer to a cuss word. Now I can't even drink diet Coke in her presence.)

She's been doing this for quite a while. Kitty was the first, followed by mommy and daddy, apple and other foodstuffs, other animals (doggie mostly), and extended family/friends.

So tonight I was talking about how thankful I am that my dear friend Kate watches the Belle a few days a week, and how fun it is to watch them build a relationship. I made the comment to Jon that, "It's definitely worth the babysitting expense to watch Annabel develop such a great relationship with someone else."

Jon's response: "It's good that she has friends, even if we have to pay them."

(Sitting on the couch with Annabel. Sarah in the kitchen.)

Daddy: What does a cat say?

Belle: Mow (rhymes with "ow")

Daddy: What does a cow say?

Belle: Boo

Daddy: What does a duck say?

Bell: Boo

Daddy: Quack quack quack

Belle: Quack quack quack

Daddy: What room is Mommy in right now?

Belle: Num!