Natalie is turning into a little girl, and she's not as much of a baby anymore. Her personality is shining through, and every day she changes and grows, and it's just amazing to watch. She is feisty and stubborn, but sweet as sugar. She is now mobile, and though she doesn't always use the conventional method of crawling everywhere, she certainly gets herself where she wants to go. She is always smiling. She wakes up smiling, goes to bed smiling... just such a happy little person!!! She LOVES playing with toys now, and it's fun to watch her discover new ones and the secrets they may hold. If it plays music, Natalie is a fan. If it opens and something can go in it, she's digging it. I even caught her trying to put some blocks into a shape sorter. She had little success, but at least her little brain is working and she's trying. She makes very expressive faces now, which are hysterical. When she is upset about something or mad, she furrows her little brow and sorta looks at you from the side of her head, and you have to conceal laughter... it's so funny.
It's so unreal to watch her enjoy life. She loves Sesame Street, and starts kicking her little legs and squealing when Abby's Flying Fairy School or Elmo's World comes on. She bops to the music, which is indescribably adorable. She still likes the Wonder Pets, and will sit through an entire 12 minute episode on my lap, watching intently. She speaks incessantly, though 99.9% of the time her dialect is completely uninterpretable. She does say "dada" and occasionally "mama," but she hasn't actually addressed either of us yet. Though we know she's using the words correctly. My favorite development is that when I go to pick her up, she reaches out for me now. Which is just such an awesome feeling, knowing that my little girl actually wants me, and can show it.
She is extremely good at self-entertaining; we can put her on her play mat surrounded by toys and she'll keep herself occupied for 30 minutes. It's great to see her so independent. She's good about going to just about anyone, and has rarely if ever shown any signs of separation anxiety. I know that often comes later in their development, but at 11 months, I'm happy to say that my child is well-adjusted and willing to go to almost anyone. Occasionally she will frown or turn her little lip out if she's unsure, but it's usually because she's tired or just woke up, not because she's really that uncertain.
Anyway, I just had to write about her today because I am sitting here on the couch marveling at my little lady squirming around on the floor, foraging in her little purple toy box for toys, and loving how incredible she truly is. I can't believe in less than 5 weeks my little girl will be one. OMG.
