What's This?!

When I was pregnant with Tara, I was paranoid. How much of this little baby's development is based on genes, and how much is based on environment? If I missed a meal (usually because it spent only a short time in my stomach thanks to morning sickness) or forgot my prenatals, did that mean she would be at a deficit later? How could I foster a love for learning that her father and I share? Would she know to question things, love to read books, and have a big imagination?

Any of those doubts have flown out the window. Tara is the inquisitive, intelligent little girl I always dreamed of.

Her latest phase, although annoying at times, might be my favorite. Her most used phrase right now is "What's this?!", usually said with wonder and awe. It could be about anything - who we've passed on the street, something she sees in a store, or on TV. I do my best to supply the simplest, but truest answer, which is responded to with "Oh yes! __________!" as though I've simply reminded her of what it is.

Sometimes we play this game all day! But it's how she's learning about the world around her, and I'm happy to take part!

Obsessed!

Tara has now become a fan of all things "Princess". I thought that if it was pink or frilly she was drawn to it instantly. The Disney Store was having a HUGE sale and she got a pretty pink dress with sparkly flowers and Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) on it, as well as a "gown". Not the tulle-y, fluffy, fancy princess gowns (those were still very, VERY expensive, but I'm saving my pennies!) but a pink satin gown with little ruffles all over the skirt, and a picture of 3 princesses (Belle, Aurora, and Cinderella) on it. She picked out 2 pairs of sparkly pink flipflops to go along with her outfits.

She naps in her Princess bed, usually in her favorite Princess pajamas, and every morning she wakes up asking for her Princess dress...

I THOUGHT that if it was pink or frilly she was drawn to it instantly... Nope! This morning her "Princess dress" was a blue frock that I used to wear as a child. I thought she'd DIE if we watched a Princess movie, but a few minutes in, she was asking for Max and Ruby (I even fast-forwarded to all the Princess parts!) And her "Princess cup" of choice this morning was the green tupperware tumbler.

And now she's playing with her "Princess cars" (hotwheels)...

I realize now her only exposure to anything remotely Princess-related has been the episode where Ruby puts on a play about 2 princesses who go to the ball, and the Disney faces that are plastered on her bed, toy cellphone, her pajamas, and 2 new dresses.

"Princess" has taken on the meaning of "I really like this, and think it's cool" and I'm ok with that ;)

Besides, it's only 5 years until we take her to meet real princesses... In Disneyland! ;)

Tara Turns Two...

This Thursday my daughter will officially be two, and I am just not ready. There's no way of going about it. SHE is not old enough to be two.

In the past month, she had really grown up. She is speaking fuller than full sentances, she has mastered "I" vs "You", though she still gets caught up with verbs (like "I are"). She has switched from "needing" everything, to "need wanting" some things, "needing" others. She is drinking from a big girl cup, has all but mastered the art of cutlery, and hates getting her hands dirty!

She can dance, and run, and jump. She can stand on one foot (WITHOUT help, though it doesn't last long, of course!) She climbs on everything, walks backwards around the house, and insists on doing things by herself!

But she's really not old enough to be two!!