Lucy is undoubtedly having one of the best weeks of her life thus far, being in Disney World with Aunt Jill, Uncle Jake, Bill and Chris. We miss her like crazy but get our daily updates and calls and she is having so much fun and in such good hands, that we are just happy she is in her version of heaven (and a little jealous we aren't there to see her loving it in person.)
But, with Lucy having the trip of her short lifetime, this week at home is all about Leigh and it has been SO amazing and special. Although I like to think I am really present every moment of the day with both girls, I am always having two conversations while chasing Leigh and trying to keep Lucy from feeling I am paying too much attention to Leigh. Although it's my norm, I am really finding out so much about Leigh this week with all this time. And, I am still amazed at how different she is in this 14-month stage than Lucy was. Or, maybe it is just me having such a different experience this time around because I view downtime so differently. With Lucy, I wanted to always be on the go so she could experience a lot and with Leigh I enjoy just wondering around the house simply being present with her.
We think she's on the path to becoming a geologist - she loves to walk the neighborhood and parks and pick up rocks - mostly to throw over and over again. She is kind of obsessed with rocks which is great because they are free and plentiful in our yard. She also loves to point out leaves and flowers and pick them up, and occasional cigarette butts and old gum too. But, point is she is a nature girl and is so entertained by exploring the neighborhood.
She also is starting to talk so much - "night night," "puppy,""leaf" and she is starting to show she understands what I am saying. If I say "are you hungry?" she'll get up and go towards the door so we can head down to eat. Or, if I say "bath" she will start heading upstairs and walk into bathroom. She lays on the floor and tries to put her own diaper on over her pants, blows kisses when we ask for them and tries to put hats and sunglasses on herself - she is showing us she understands so much more than we probably give her credit for.
She loves to put things away - in all her classes and at home, she is the first one out there cleaning up the toys and putting them into the bins, and she is a hand-holder, rule-follower, do-whatever-we-ask type of girl. She's just so easy. For now.
But, our house feels a little too quiet and we can't wait until Friday night to have Lucy home with us again. Until Friday, we are enjoying the time to bond with Leigh and the little girl she is becoming!
This moment below melted my heart. We went on a nice walk around the block (to find rocks) and she held my hand for a block or two. There's something so special about that tiny hand in mine - something I wish would last forever.
