BeaAttitude

Bea-uty

spring, sprang, sprung!

Though I never thought it would, the snow has (mostly) melted and we've had a few warm days to get us excited for the upcoming season. Beatrice has been enjoying running and playing outside, and her new joy is rock climbing, which seriously ages me and I can barely stand to watch. We also brought out her tricycle again and, despite my high hopes, a few months has not yet made a difference in her driving ability. As of this writing, I cannot even imagine that she'll have improved enough to NOT be driving in circles by age 16 1/2. When in the house, she's in love with the new set of real legos that Daddy got her. She can't quite assemble them herself, but has great fun ordering us around with what she wants built, then using it for pretend play. Thanks to her vivid imagination, we were able to avoid cabin fever all winter long and spend hours picnicking, sailing in boats, riding bikes, and going to the beach, all from the comfort of our home! So now it's time to get out and really do those things. Of course we'll have a hard time finding a beach that matches up to the one her mind created...it has a combination bookstore/ice cream shop, an entire wall of Fancy Nancy books, and, while every item in it costs $2, the clerk always gives you change.

On Her Own

Beatrice has been sleeping in her own room, in her own bed, for over a month now. The transition was earlier and easier than I ever would have imagined. Sometimes I'm in my own bed now looking to my left and I can barely remember the little body that lay next to and on me for 22 months (minus maybe five days that she actually stayed in her crib way back when) ever being there. I also have no comprehension how there was enough room for her. But the time came for a giant leap toward independence. Beatrice decided that, and we went with it. Just like she was the one who decided when to give up her bottle, her diapers, and her milk at night, she made up her mind and never looked back. It was time for us too. That being said, there's no doubt I miss it terribly. But Daddy, who was the first to encourage it AND the first to mention that maybe it was time for it to end, misses it more than he cares to admit. He often sneaks in at naptime, like today. I sometimes complain, afraid he'll give her a mixed message, but he always replies "how long will she want me take a nap with her?" I know he's right, and we have to savor the morsels of babyhood that are left. They are getting fewer and farther between.

Why?

"Dees my headband sunglasses...I dan't see you!!!!" - Beatrice

As of yesterday, the next phase is upon us....the "why?" phase. Here's a sample conversation that occurred this morning during mass, or actually in the bathroom stall during mass:

B: (pointing to the wall) What that shape?

Me: Those are squares.

B: Why those squares?

Me: Because there are four equal sides, and whenever there are four equal sides, it's called a square.

B: What it made of?

Me: Ceramic tile, I think.

B: Why that made of "samik tie-yoh?"

Me: Because ceramic tile is strong and pretty so it makes the wall look nice and keeps it strong. (She's already stretching my knowledge of carpentry big time)

B: Samik tie-yoh strong?

Me: Yes, very strong?

B: Why it strong?

Me: So that it can hold walls up.

B: (looking at the floor) What that?

Me: That's a (small and oddly shaped) garbage can.

B: What garbage can made of?

Me: Metal

B: Why garbage can made of metal?

Me: Because metal is strong and is good at holding garbage.

then later...heading out of church....

B: It rainin'! run, run, run!

Me: Yes it is raining.

B. Why it rainin' mama?

Me: Because the clouds are full of water and too heavy so the water has to fall down and fill the rivers back up (already stretching my memory of earth science)

B: Why clouds full of water and get heavy?

Me: Because of evaporation and the water cycle. That's one of the exciting things you'll learn more about in school some day (code for Mama doesn't know any more that what's been said)

B: Why we not runnin; mama?

Me: Because it's a little slippery and I don't want to fall. Anyway, WHY do we HAVE to run?

B: Because it RAININ'!!! (as in...duh, what a silly question!)

When the shoe is on the other foot and I ask her "why?" -here is the new answer I've been getting: "I dan't tell you. It's a 'priiiiiize!" (aka "surprise") Or, another favorite of late: "I din't knooooooooow" said in a very "valley girl" fashion. Drama, thy name is Bea.