The change in hair style might be the culprit. She looks adorably girlish with two pigtails sprouting out of the top of her head. Along with the Pippi pigtails is a fierce determination to do everything herself, from blowing bubbles to wiping clean her peanut buttery fingers and mouth after lunch. Any attempt to remove Lilli from fun activities, such as the park, drinking the bubble mixture, eating her crayons, evokes such strong emotions, floods of tears and such a big down-turned bottom lip that you could never believe. Her new status was confirmed this weekend when she demonstrated empathy. She placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder after I turned to her with a very exasperated expression on my face after Jon displayed similar childish behaviour to what I was just experiencing with her!!
Lilli becomes immensely grown-up when copying me. Today she sat in her great grandfather's childhood chair, with teddy on her lap and tried so hard to read teddy a story. It was a little too difficult to hold both Big-Ted and the book together, let alone turn the pages, so I sat in front of them both and read the story, over and over again. Every once in a while Lilli would look at teddy with a smile and an expression that said "isn't this book great Teddy?" Teddy isn't the only stuffed friend in our home that Lilli showers with affection. She takes Baby Doll for walks around the house in her toy stroller before settling her down to nap with a cushion, a blanket, a kiss and a cuddle.
She certainly communicates in only the way little girls can - with very expressive beautiful eyes. Narrowed to a mock scowl at times or dancing in mischief, her eyes convey her meaning all too clearly. I have received many a steely stare during diaper changes. Lilli woke up last Thursday a slightly different person. She seemed more content. Happier. As we were looking through a book she clearly said lion when I pointed to its picture. Later in the day she pointed to the cat that strolled past us and exclaimed excitedly "CAT." Since then she has been saying new words every day. Today I heard "apple" and "cracker." She finds French and Spanish words hilarious. However, without a doubt, "Volvo" is the funniest word around. Most of the time she is talking some strange language to herself and us. I hear full sentences, complete with pauses and full with meaning. She has long conversations with anything that can pass as a telephone, including the dental floss box. I'm looking forward to being able to understand her fully. For now her play world is still her own.
