An amazing holiday

We have had a crazy past few weeks. We really put on the miles this holiday!

We celebrated Christmas in Barnum, which included an agonizingly long Christmas Eve service with a sprinting and enthusiastic drummer boy, and lots of casual fun time with the Sullivans. We were in Rockford for the Johannsen Christmas, where Emily joined right in with her cousins, tearing apart the house and having a fantastic time. We had dinner with my aunt's family in Ames, and then went back up to Rockford en route to Mankato for New Year's Eve. Emily stayed in Rockford with her grandparents and aunt and uncle and cousins overnight, and she had a really good time. It was my first overnight away from her, and it was probably harder on me than her, but I had a good time at the party too so I can say it all worked out well! Even though she was pretty happy the whole time I was gone, when I came back I think she was actually angry with me. This afternoon, she was exhausted and crying and I think she was remembering that she couldn't find me... maybe I was reading too much into her expression but the guilt was crushing. But, at least while I was gone, she had a good time and wasn't really upset without me at all. Such a nice girl she is!

It's funny how talking to other people about parenting and about Emily's development will inevitably bring up things that make me question whether I'm doing all that I can for her. I asked my grandfather (who is child developmental psychologist) about Emily walking on her tiptoes, and he said it's important that she break that habit and that I need to have her wear shoes all the time. I know Emily doesn't like to, and I think it's because her feet have been growing so fast that her shoes don't fit! Her cousin Megan is a year older and wears a size larger sheos, but it turns out their feet are the same size. OOPS. I asked why it's important that she learn to walk not on her toes, and he said it's for development of the nervous system, that there are nerves in the feet that are closely tied to vision and balance. So, I guess Emily will be wearing shoes now! And my sister will have to remind Megan not to imitate Emily all the time by walking on her tiptoes. :)

I haven't been teaching Emily a whole lot of signs, just a few that are fun, probably just because I'm lazy. but apparently I'm deaf, too! All during the past week and a half, people have been telling me what they heard Emily say, "plain as day!" and I haven't been acknowledging or encouraging her starts of speech. There are some things she says that are clear - "Doh" for dog (or any animal except a cat), "rouw, rouw" for round, round, and a few others, but a brief list of things that others have heard includes: Apple, Up, Down, Thank you, Blanket, and Blue-purple. I am doubting the last one, but the others I should be listening for and encouraging, I suppose. Another oops. I know she understands nearly everything she hears now, so now I just need to be more vigilant in looking for her to say it back to me.

Well, I'm exhausted from the wild holiday, and I don't have much more for details to share. Emily had a most wonderful Christmas, and together I feel like we are the luckiest little family in the world.