Onslaught, A Dove Film and More

Looking past the fact that Dove is still trying to sell us skincare products, I appreciate the effort in a "drop in the bucket" kind of way. And also, wow.

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Part of my parenting experience, besides counting Sophie's eyelashes and fretting over toy recalls and trying to find my balance on the tightrope known as "working mom" has included millions of moments of hopes for my child. Things I want to show her, places I want to take her, music I want her to hear, food I want her to eventually taste. Some of the best moments of parenting are being able to show the world to this being that I love so dearly. With that come hopes for her character: how I hope she will be confident, and laugh often, not worry too much over the small petty things, believe in herself enough to discount the noise of the world but not so closed minded that she can't hear the voices that matter. Sometimes, in my better days, I take a deep breath and wish these things for myself, so that she may see them in me.

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In other news...

We inherited a walker. You know, it's like an exersaucer, but it moves. The baby bargains book calls it a deathtrap, but I had one when I was young and so did most (now grown) babies of my age, and since our apartment has only one step we've been able to handle her safety in it so far. We don't let her stay in it for too long, but she loves the mobility. She's not quite crawling yet, lifting up and rolling and changing directions, but not too terribly mobile. In the walker she can really go though, it's incredible. Vroom...and she's off!

For months she's been standing on our laps. She hates lying on her back and is starting to dislike sitting, even though she can sit up without support. She still needs our help getting into the seated position, and lately when I try to sit her up, she plants her feet, insisting on standing.

We're eating, and it is going better and better. I hope to make it to Whole Foods this week to see what we can add to our solid repertoire.

I think she can see pretty far now. She tracks me from across the room. Maybe this has been going on for some time, but it's pretty amazing. On the other hand she has realized that we're separate from her and is not cool with being left alone, even for a second. I used to be able to put her in her chair or her crib and run to the other room for a moment. No longer.

We've traveled a lot this past month. Sophie has become quite the frequent flyer. She almost always does well on the planes, which I think is a magic combination of white noise and her age. Still, I'm looking forward to a few weekends at home. (Although I'm hoping for a day trip to Sleepy Hollow for some Halloween fun!)

Eric's birthday is tomorrow. Wish a fantastic father a happy day!