Growing Up...

IMPORTANT NEWS: Lyla crawls (a bit)!!! She doesn't really like it, she'd rather walk (holding onto our hands) EVERYWHERE. And all day long. My back is sore. Anyway, she crawls every now and again, and just a little, but we are very excited about it.

Lyla's new face

Lyla is picking up on more sign language. Her favorite one is still dog. She does it immediately when she sees a dog... or any four legged creature really, and every so often when she sees her Grandpa (hehe). We thought she might even be trying to SAY doggie... she kept saying "Dangie" whenever she saw Erik's dog. Who knows. She can do the sign for "eat" now. She prefers it over the sign for "more" but sometimes says "more" and "eat" together. Today we were playing in the living room, and all of a sudden she looked at me and did the sign for "eat" so I fed her. Makes life quite easy.

Signing "eat"

She is a pointing MACHINE! The world around her, I'm sure, has always been a strange and fascinating place. But now she can express her wonder by pointing! She points at absolutely everything, it's too cute. It's also helpful when we're walking around with her because she'll stop and point in the direction she wants to go.

It's so amazing to see her growing up a little every day, finding new ways to express herself (including tantrums now and then.. oh joy.. like today when I wouldn't let her keep licking the TV...) and new ways to interact with us (like high fiving, which she started to do today!). I can't believe she is almost one already. Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday she was sleeping the days away in my arms, not even able to hold up her on head! And now she stands and takes steps! Unbelievable!

Okay now some beach pics. Some of these were a bit overexposed... woops.

Sandy face.. (she ate some)

Staying cool in the shade, nothing but a diapy

Digging and throwing ... a favorite beach game.

She learned how to brush her hands off

About to go in the water with mama!