raspberries and pants-heads

Every morning, my baby and I have playtime after I feed her. It's my favorite time of the day, especially when dear Papa can join us.

I wake her up for second breakfast and stroke her back and tell her "good morning, little mouse" in Chinese. She often leans her head against my shoulder and snuggles into me. I find an inordinate amount of satisfaction in receiving that one action. Sometimes she will even rub my arm in reciprocity. She will even give me soft kisses on the cheek, as well - the only time of day I don't have to ask for such generosity.

I feed her and then she looks up at me and coos. She sits up, the hair in her eyes utterly adorable, and then proceeds to roam all over the bed, confident in her body and its abilities, pulling herself over obstacles (pillows) and mountain ranges (bodies) with ease, as a strong swimmer faces waves.

Her favorite forbidden thing is to play with the "buttons" on our headboard. Her favorite acceptable thing is to pull the hem of my shirt up slightly and proceed to give me raspberries on my tummy. She shrieks with joy when she gets the perfect amount of suction, and I praise her. She screams in delight. It's our little game, and feels like a bit of magic came from heaven and decided to sprinkle itself on my bed. Eventually, she gets bored and casts herself off the side of the bed to search for "toys" (also known as detritus) on the floor. She is very confident and uses her instincts and always goes backwards, feet first, to avoid a big big bonk.

Even though she has two teeth ("Toofins!") she is very careful not to bite, unless she feels threatened...which is mostly when she feels her brothers are a little too rambunctious in their play with her.

She hates hats and hoods and will pull and yank and fuss til they come off...yet she routinely puts pants on her head. She won't wear them on her head with the waistband 'round her crown, but she puts them on as if she is trying to accessorize with a scarf. She will lift the pants over and over again above her head with both hands raised high and place and re-place the pants just so until she is satisfied. Then she turns and looks for approval, appearing inordinately pleased with herself, and laughs her big-girl laugh.

I love it, but it also reminds me that she will be an actual big girl soon. Time goes by so quickly!