Good baby!

Good or bad, Ed and I praise EV for everything.  It first started out as a way to teach her how to do things, put the square in the square hole, circle in the circle, put your toys away, learn to eat solids...little things to help show her the way.  It's always been "Good Baby!" with claps, hugs, smiles, a parade in her honor...ok, maybe not the parade...but only because it would take too long, I would totally do a parade.  

Obviously we still show her how to do things and praise her for her good behavior, but really, it isn't a training tool anymore.  I am genuinely impressed by her.  

If you haven't figured it out yet, I am not humble AT ALL when it comes to EV.  I think she is incredible but don't take that to mean I don't think other kids are incredible and she is way better than anyone.  Not true and surprisingly, it is one of the only areas in which I don't compare things in life. Your kid can be great and EV can be great...there is enough room for 2, 3, 4...1000000 great kids in this wide world.

Tonight, after playing in the tub with cups and being praised for helping mommy rinse her off, we opened up her animal book.  I don't think she's to the point where she can identify animals yet or even make their noises...and maybe this was all coincidence...but she seemed to be able to point to the duck when I asked.  When I asked her where the kitty (or horse or piggy) was she didn't do anything but when I asked for the duck, she pointed right at the little duck face and even sometimes pointed at the gosling picture (which looks a heck of a lot like the duck, how are kids supposed to know the difference?).  

After the obligatory but completely genuine congratulations and hugs, she turned and looked up at me, with her wet hair slicked back and naked buns on a towel in my lap, reached out her arms and gave me a little hug (big hug noise though...you know, the grunt noise you make when you give someone a bear hug).  I could tell she was proud of herself.

Baby girl, I want you to grow up and be a strong, proud woman, with a soft heart, sharp mind and powerful will.  I want you to be passionate, passionate about sports, music, school, fashion, horse back riding, cars, writing...anything you want to pursue.  I want to give you the opportunity to do anything and everything, experience different places and people.  I hope you love and are loved as deeply as Ed and I love each other and you. You are an amazing little person and I am so thankful that you are my baby.