Alden's Latest Tricks

I needed to blog soon so I wouldn't forget some of Alden's latest things...

- She is really interested in the picture album of her first 4 months (and the onlly album I have actually printed pictures off for) She likes to look at all our family and even finds the picture of Dr. Christie, and says "Doctor"...except any word with the "k" sound in it, ends up with a pause...like "da - pause- er".

- The past week she has been going to get a diaper and coming to me and laying down to be changed. Most of the time, she wants to be changed in the corner of her room between the crib and the window. Strange.

- She has really enjoyed "dancing" her babies around to the ABC song on the leapfrog fridge thing. And today on our walk, she was dancing the baby to the "Diaper Dance" song from Baby Signs. The only thing that distiguished it from Alden's other "songs" was the "whooo" at the end. The last part of the song goes "jump it, bump it, dump it, whoo". She has been doing the whoo all by herself lately.

- The other night, she had a bottle of saline nose drops and would act like she was putting some on her hands, rub them together, and then rub them on her face. We thought maybe she was putting on aftershave like Matt, or maybe washing her face like me. Who knows???

- Alden's favorite Christmas presents are definitely her books. She loves the alphabet books from Grandma and Grandpa, and is always asking to read. She also really likes the book about the New Baby, and the Sesame Street book about heroes. I am about ready to hide the hero book. I think we read it 6 times today.

- Just the past week, she has been reaching for our hands to hold. Walking in the hall at the Y, coming down the stairs, leading us into another room (most likely towards her books). It is really cute and melts our hearts.

- During my shower today, she sat on her potty (completely clothed) the whole time and read books out loud to herself.

We joined the Y this past week, which is a great Christmas present from the Wyatts. Alden and I went swimming the first day, and she did not want to get out, even though her lips were purple. It is an indoor pool, but it was a little chilly. Maybe because it was 26 degrees outside! What is up? However, our subsequent visits have been short, due to Alden's screaming hysterically in the child care room. The other night, the girl with the white board came to find Matt, and tonight, I ended up getting her during break from Zumba class. She better get used to staying there pretty soon, because Matt and I are really pumped about getting to work out!

This past Friday night, we had dinner at Nana's house with Kitty Scott and Dickie. Alden has been scared of Uncle Dickie for some reason, but finally warmed up to him. By the end of the night, they were big buddies.

The weekend went by fast. We enjoyed getting to be outside now that the weather has turned to a more appropriate 70 degrees, and even got Cold Stone as a treat on Sunday.

Today, Alden and I went to the mall. She was so good, and I had a great time with her. I know I have said this, but since Christmas, she seems so much older. I am trying to really be intentional about enjoying this time with her before the baby comes, knowing it will never be just us again. She is starting to feel more like a friend than a responsibility, which is fun. Although, I think we may be starting to get a glimpse of the terrible twos.