Atti Update

So it has finally happened. We have a full-blown walking toddler! (Actually it's not 'finally.' Isn't she still supposed to be a baby?) It all started when we went to the Toy Store about a week and a half ago. She was so interested in all of the toys there - she wanted to play with everything! She started out with a cool wooden push toy, but she soon forgot all about it and started walking around to all of the other toys. That's right, walking! By herself! Up until that point she had taken steps by herself, but she much prefered to hold onto someones hand. Most of the time if you tried to get her to walk by taking your hand away she would promptly sit down. But that day at the toy store was the turning point! She started walking everywhere and she hasn't looked back! And she has been having a blast! This new position has totally changed her view, and she has a whole new world to explore. It was like she got to discover her house and yard all over again. So cute!

Here she is walking at the toy store

And here she is walking all over our hotel room in Fayetteville just three days later.

This isn't the best quality video, and it's sideways :-(, so if you want 

to see a video of her walking that same weekend that you don't 

have to turn your head to watch, click here

That was the big news, but since we're all here let's do a little update on the other things that have been going on in Attia's world.

Since our last milestone update Attia has gotten two new teeth. On Easter, her second top tooth poked through. That one was tooth number nine on the dental chart. Then on April 17 another one popped through, taking her up to a total of five! I think that one is a lateral incisor (#7) but it could be a canine (#6). We'll see!

Our toothy girl has also started exclusively feeding herself since our last update. Finger foods are easy of course (and fairly clean), but she is getting a lot better at using a spoon and fork. She makes quite a mess, but she actually manages to spoon most of the food into her mouth. When she does get frustrated she just starts using her hands, but hey, at least she's doing it herself! It just means that we have to take a bath most nights after dinner. :-)

On April 10 we let her try out her new eating skills at a restaurant. Finally! (and that 'finally' is for real) Her first fine dining experience was at El Mezcal, our favorite Mexican restaurant in Lawrence. I guess it took us so long to eat out with her because we didn't want to be the table with the screaming baby. She did really well though, and didn't make a scene at all! Although she did make a bit of a mess around her chair. :-) She loved the chips and she enjoyed bits and pieces from both of our plates. Beans, tortilla, steak, peppers, tomatoes - she loved it all except for the cheese. That kind of surprised me, but it was a little spicy for her taste. Overall, yum! And lots of fun!

She got to try eating out again when we went to Cielito Lindo for our anniversary on May 3rd. Happy four years honey! Before we went out to eat we went for a little family bike ride and made a stop at South Park. Fun for everyone!

She insisted on trying the salsa! A little hot, but water made it ok. :-)

And other than that I hardly know what to say. I can't possibly explain how much she has learned, developed, and grown every single day since her 12 month birthday. In the last two months she has turned into a kid. A walking, 'talking' toddler. And it is absolutely amazing.

She runs around the house. She has learned to pet Jack and Rosa gently. She carries a purse. She loves shoes and slippers. She reads books. She points to the animals we name. She makes more and more animal noises (currently working on cock-a-doodle-do). She says mama, dad, Jack, dog, hi, bye, bunny... and more! She points to her nose, ears, and mouth when prompted. She throws the ball for Rosa. She eats peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She is a kid.