Maybe it was our break from her, or maybe it's just normal, but I feel like Reese has learned/grown so much more in the last month than in previous ones. Her personality, for better or worse, is getting stronger and she is picking up motor skills as well as comprehension and logic skills faster than I can keep track. Brace yourselves for what may seem like bragging--I've got a lot I'd like to chronicle for posterity, not for the sake of gushing about my child to the world.
Books, books, books: This month her STRONG interest in books and reading stands out most in my mind. She wants to hear no less than 5 books before each nap or bedtime, and sometimes at least that many in between. She sits still and listens to the books, and is beginning to "read" along with me. When we read some stories (particularly ones that contain surprises, jokes, or falling/crashing characters) she anticipates the upcoming pages and will parrot "words" from the story along with me. Reading to her is also more fun because Reese will often point out items in her book or copy the character's expression. She definitely knows which books are which on her shelf and will pull books out carefully and slide them back in until she finds the book she's looking for. She's even gone as far as to try to read books to Annie. (The video from below shows one day when I had the camera handy--since I had just filmed something else.) It's funny to watch her chase the dog around the house with a book until the dog finally gives up and lays down to hear Reese's story.
Words: Her receptive vocabulary amazes me! After just one introduction to a word, she'll remember it and even generalize with other slightly different examples. She can follow two step directions (when she wants to) and now participates in a couple new songs (5 Little Monkeys is a hit since she can tap her head and say "no!"). She now also knows quite a few body parts. She gets eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hair, and belly almost all the time, but just recently discovered her belly button (and Mommy's) and is fascinated by it.
On the move: While we were in California Reese worked on her stair climbing skills quite a bit (thanks to the two two-story houses she got to enjoy while we were gone). She now prefers to climb stairs one foot at a time while holding on to a hand rail or someone's hand for balance. She's also very interested in coloring this month. Without any prompting or instruction she uses the pointed end and even insists on holding it between her fingers instead of with a fist. It blew my mind the first time she did it and I was certain that it was a fluke--but no, she will carefully place and grab the crayon until it's how she wants it.
By myself: This was also a month marked by a further increase in her desire to be "a big girl." Really, does she need more of an independent streak?!? Reese insists on trying to do EVERYTHING by herself before asking for help--at least with Mommy and Daddy. This includes (but is not limited to): putting on shoes and socks, brushing/combing her hair, and brushing her teeth. We let her attempt it all, although she often melts down quickly when she realizes she can't quite accomplish what she's working on (shoes and socks especially).
Following our vacation, Reese has been particularly clingy with mommy. We'd like to think it's due to the molars she's getting (since we feel less guilty that way) rather than our recent absence that's causing the issue. Upon returning to Austin she was also VERY lovey with Annie.
