Books, diapers, and parties

Books remain a central part of Kathleen’s life. They’re just huge. She’s happy to read the same one repeatedly. I cannot tell you how many times we’ve read Trucks, Trains, Planes, Machines at Work, and My Car because she happily cycles through them one after the other and then immediately cycles through them again . . . and again. She loves them so much, she’s begun reading them herself – turning the pages, “ya dad a la do da” – which (I’m sorry to say this yet again) is so cute.

Diaper changes are still a challenge. I was reading through some of the entries I made in her journal last year. Nearly exactly a year ago, I made one about telling mom during one of my regular Kathleen updates that Kathleen wasn’t at all bad with diaper changes. She was surprised. That left me wondering just what sort of impression I’d given mom to think that diaper changes were akin to wrestling with a greased pig. It’s funny how things change over the course of a year.

Yesterday was our neighbor's annual Easter egg hunt. The mom had mentioned to DH last year that since Kathleen would be walking, she’d have to invite her. Yeah. We don’t remember seeing any invitations. DH thought that maybe she had only invited some of her daughter Kaitlyn’s preschool classmates or children her age. That theory bit the dust when we saw other neighborhood kids - one only six months older than Kathleen - and another boy who looked barely older than Kathleen all headed there.

DH and I discussed it and decided that the problem wasn’t us, it was them. We’re good people, we do our best to get along, DH chats with them whenever he’s sees them . . . what more can we do? There’s obviously a neighborhood clique – I'm sure is not intentional – and we’re not part of it.

Anyway, I took Kathleen for a walk after her nap. When we returned from a stroll around the block, the activity had moved from the neighbor's back yard to the cul-de-sac. There were kids running everywhere. Toys littered the street. Kathleen stood in our yard and watched. She walked a few steps forward and watched some more. This continued for awhile. She’d survey the scene, and once she grew comfortable with it, she’d take a few more steps toward the activity until we were standing along the sidewalk in front it all.

We stood on the sidewalk watching the kids streaking by for what – I don’t know, ten minutes? – when Kathleen at last took her courage in hand and climbed on to a plastic tricycle a few feet away. She was excited. She walked it forward being too short to reach the pedals. It didn’t take her long to discover which buttons made what noise. She slowly rode it around the cul-de-sac and down the street. Parents walked by – even the neighbors holding the party–and said hi to her leaving me to feel that we weren’t crashing the party. Kathleen just stood there straddling the tricycle and looking shy until they walked away and she could continue her circuit of the street. We were there for above an hour. As Kathleen’s confidence grew, so did exuberance. By the end, she was running from toy to toy – even to the motorized cars – having a blast.

We weren’t invited to the egg hunt which I think was a shame, but Kathleen still had fun. And I’m proud of myself: I didn’t hold her back for fear that we were intruding. She’s a baby. Let them think less charitable thoughts about me for joining in univited – although I don’t believe anyone did – but no one can be upset with a baby having fun. All I care about is that my little girl included herself in the fun and had a wonderful time.