Something New Every Day!

Today, as Isabelle and I were reading a couple of the Usborne touchy-feely books (thanks Aunt Linda!), I noticed when I would point and run my finger over the texture part of the page that the narrative talks about, Izzy would take her finger and aim it for those spots as well. Within the next few pages, she was going for the textured portions herself! Now these books are a whole new game to her. She seemed to really be concentrating on the textures and the differences between the slick pages and whatever texture was on the page. See...what did I tell you about that pointer finger and her thinking?

Anyway, next today we got out an activity table that Aunt Terri has given us. She's a bit too young to stand at the table and play yet, but what we found out this evening is that if we take the top off, and put a few blocks & toys in the storage space under the table, it's just the right height for Izzy to sit next to and dig out what she wants. This is a new thing for her! To see a bunch of things and just be able to reach in and GET what you want without having to lean or work to crawl to them! How COOL is THAT!

The other thing I saw for the first time today was Izzy taking one toy in one hand and comparing it with another toy in her other hand, and then trying to bump them together. Up to this point, it has just been one thing at a time. The physical milestones are awesome to see, but what I find cooler yet is to see her eyes light up when she makes a thought connection or when she gets excited over a discovery. I have a feeling that now, more than ever, Izzy will become quite the curious little monkey.

Last night, Dan and I went out to Texas Road House for supper. We weren't sure how Izzy was going to do with it being close to bedtime and it being the end of the day and everything. Her curiosity made it a good experience. There were plenty of things to listen to, watch, and new things to try to make a grab for. She even got a bit of Dad's sweet potato that she got to explore and eat all by herself without Mom or Dad feeding it her! As she put the first un-pureed piece of sweet potato in her mouth, about 5 different expressions flitted across her face in the span of about 5 seconds. Once she got over the texture shock, she loved it! She did very well with this outing, but by the time dinner was over, it was time to go....the evening melt-down from being past bedtime was eminent.

The other thing I should mention, I probably should have mentioned awhile ago. For about the past month, Isabelle has absolutely HATED her car seat and car rides unless it is nap time. She's always loved car rides up to this point. Dan and I both agree that this is more about her being slowed down by the seat than her hating trips. Belted in her seat, there isn't much to explore, and toys get old fast! However, her new tones when she has a fit, and her current dislike for the seat are making me dread the impending drive to IA...