Okay, now I get it

The walking thing that is.

I did something stupid on Monday: I picked Kathleen up an hour earlier than I’d intended for her pediatrician appointment. I don’t know where my head was. Because of that, she didn’t get much of a nap – maybe 45 minutes. I felt terrible as she groggily let me carry her to the car. She was not ready to get up.

I thought for sure she’d fall asleep in the car or after the appointment, especially after the appointment. No to both. In fact, I think she was more active than ever. She was all . . . over . . . the house. Oh, my goodness. All over. I got nothing done after we got home. Now I understand that warning people would give me when they asked if she’d started walking. She used to be content to play beside me for a few minutes while I did something in the kitchen or bedroom or any room in the house. No more. She’s off to parts unknown before I’ve opened the refrigerator door. Heaven help us, but this is going to be a long toddler period if she keeps doing that.

She wasn't so bad yesterday. I still got nothing done, but I expected it. She toddled her merry way through the house leaving a trail of toys, clothes, utensils, and other sundry items to mark her way like bread crumbs through the forest. The only difference is that I was the one picking it all up (where are those birds when you need them?) . . . eventually . . . after I put her to bed. I've given up trying to pick up after her while she's awake because: A) She's walking out of my line of sight and into trouble between one breath and the next, and B) She'll just take it out again or replace it with something else when she inevitably returns. In other words, trying to pick up the house while she's awake and abroad is a futile, futile effort.

So this is toddlerhood? Interesting. I wonder what it will be like when she starts running. I can her the mischievous giggle now as she deftly eludes my protective grasp while she swings like Tarzan on the curtain (you know she will one day - I did), bringing it down, rod and all. You wait and see. She's definitely my daughter. I couldn't be prouder. :)