Talking Away - What Stage

Lizzie, in the last week your babbles have become more understood by us.  You made your mom's day earlier by saying "momma I love you."  The downside was that you haven't said "momma" since then -- but you have said LOTS of "dada's." One morning you said "dadda take Izzie away" and pointed downstairs. This morning you asked me if we could get up (babble, babble, UP). So far, Saturday mornings are "our time" (and Mom's chance to catch up on some much deserved rest). We generally eat "Quaker man" oatmeal and watch History Channel while playing together.  I can tell you like the time together, especially this morning when you said "Dadda ee Izzie" and then clapped your hands.

You won't talk on demand, except when talking to me on the phone. Which means that most people don't get to hear you say many words -- but you did say "gramma" when on the phone with Grandma Mac.  In case you are wondering, your favorite word seems to be "what."  We must be in the What Stage (how soon until the Why Stage). Everything is met with the What question. Well, time to go.

-Love, Dad

Reunion Day

Well Lizzie, today is the day that has been looked forward to for many days... we get the family back together. All of us are suffering from jet-lag, so sleep schedules are all messed up. I'm sue it will take a while before we're all back on the same patterns.

Yesterday you actually attempted to talk to me on the phone for the first time. Most of the time you get silent on phone or web cam. I don't know exactly what you were saying, but you said "da" and "ma" fairly clearly. And you hung up on me twice! You sure do like action buttons...

Da Da Da

Over the past few weeks it seems that all you know how to say is da da da. After first I thought it was cute because you were babbling and talking and smiling a lot more but now I am starting to feel a hint of frustration because you never say ma ma anymore. :( I know that you are just babbling and that you cannot at this age make a connection between saying da da and putting those words with a face. But over this last eight months we have nurtured a special bond that only a mama and a daughter share so maybe once and awhile you could say ma ma. :)

8 Months Old

Eight months ago, we welcomed you, Lizzie into the world. I remember the pride and awe that I felt as I finally got to hold you. (Finally, because your Mommy had been holding you lovingly for the previous 9 months -- though both of us were eager to hold you in our arms).

Lizzie, I saw you clearly calm down after the ordeal of labor, the shock of the new environment. You took in the situation around you, and I could almost see you decide, that yes, this was a workable situation. They (specialists) say that you cannot make out much with your eyes in those first few days, but that first hour that you were outside in the world, you seemed to be taking in the situation. You first looked at me with confusion. As I talked to you (and your mommy) you appeared to register that "oh, this is how this familiar voice looks." And from then on you appeared to look at me with recognition.

I find myself again eagerly looking forward to hold you. I wonder if you will still look at me with recognition?

Crawling

Nope. Not yet... but soon! Lizzie, you're just about to get mobile (no, not a phone) --- about to get moving to places of your choosing. You get to exercise your free will and decide where you want to go. Within reason, that is. For I assure you that your mommy and I will still help you through this learning stage. We will train you to make good choices, and pray that you will continue to make them.

For now, however, get ready to enjoy the little bit more freedom you can experience... and be prepared to get pulled away from dangerous (but very enticing and exciting) things.

Watching You Grow

Lizzie,
It most certainly has been a pleasure and a privilege of watching you grow and learn. I may not have had the most direct viewing location, but your mommy (and others) has been good about getting pictures and videos posted. But the best part has been the interaction via Skype. I still don't know which you are more excited about: seeing me or getting to touch mommy's computer, but you definitely get excited. I've been able to see your reaction change to seeing me on the webcam... and though you will never remember it, I assure you that I have been excited as well.

Counting down the days until I get to hold you in my arms again,
-Dad

Time Flies!

I can't believe that my daughter is already 2 1/2 months old. It feels like she is growing up soooo fast. Nowadays, she is showing emotions, smiling when we smile at her, laughing and giggling a little, and most of all, just being awesome. Click here to watch Lizzie's first laugh.