Em, Lately.

Em's chunky, squishy thighs have stretched into lean, muscular legs. Same goes for her arms! There was a short mourning period of the overall roundness that she use to have, followed by her climbing up the playground structure which leads to the tallest platform, which leads to the top of the biggest slides. This girl! I have to hover very closely behind her as she climbs up the vertical "mountain." Then, when she gets to the top, I have to jump up as quick as I can and either make sure she sits on her bottom (or belly) to go down the slide if Charly is spotting her at the bottom, or drag her bum into my lap as she desperately tries to go down all on her own. Never mind that several times she's taken a topple half way down the slide... she is all for it.

The trying part of it all- the physically going for it- was something she was born with. The going for it mentally part? Not so much. I have enjoyed watching her slowly learn that it's ok to fall on my bottom, but not as much on my hands, to watch her find what actually works and what doesn't instead of insisting on always being in control. I mean, even when she took her first steps she just look so human already- there was not a lot of baby toddling sporadically and uncontrolled across the room. She waited till she was way past ready, and even that was on the earlier side of when kids tend to walk (that would be the "trying" part making its appearance).

This new personality development has also morphed her into an extra giggly babe. When it comes to inducing the belly laughs, it is just so. easy. now. We see less and less of that intensely pensive look she use to give so often as she sorted the world out, and although I sometimes miss it, the giggly, goobery personality she has now is very well enjoyed.