owwwwww-ch

the title is actually also a quote. this is naima's newest word. one she uses frequently, and adorably, now. if she brushes some part of her body into anything it's what we'll usually hear. "owwwww-ch". she's been saying a few words for the past few months (she started to say mama around 8 mos), like mama, up, hello, etc, but this word seems particularly first word-y. maybe because it seems like such a grown up thing to comment on.

she turned 1 year old on february 16th. the day after family day. i recalled how i spent my family day last year, and took a few deep breaths before i moved on. she is doing all these cute things that a 1 year old does now- trying desperately to walk (and keep up with that fast sister); feeding herself; communicating with a variety of words, grunts, points, and cries; sprouting teeth all over the place. all of these things that decidedly change a baby into a toddler. it's kind of sad, her first year seemed to have flown by without the ceremony that was given to nevaeh's- every milestone documented. that being said i literally just finished the last few touches on nevaeh's baby book. now to get started on naima's.

nevaeh has grown up so much the past few months. speaking of growing up, she has forever left the "baby" category and become a kid. next i'll notice she's a young woman. she is an amazing big sister. she will take an onslaught of attacks from naima with little in return. i often will find them locked in an "embrace" that usually ends with naima yanking a fistful of hair or slapping nevaeh in the face a couple of times. nevaeh usually chokes back a few yelps and yells for help. she's really patient, most of the time. naima is a silent and brutal opponent. she will slide in quickly and quietly for the kill. her goal is almost always nevaeh, or nevaeh's toys.

it's incredible how much naima understands. she's so quiet you may think she doesn't know what's going on but she sees, hears, and processes everything we do. the other day i was yelling for mike, and she started to chime in. she then yelled for nevaeh or "ya ya". when i copied her to yell for nevaeh, she jumped off of my lap and crawled to nevaeh's room to look for her. unfortunately, nevaeh was at lua's house for the night.

nevaeh has matured into this amazing little person. she hardly ever freaks out anymore, she is learning how to process and communicate what she is feeling. she also loves helping and being a "leader". everyday at her school one child is the designated busy bee helper. this person gets to help the teacher and also does show and tell for the day. this person gets to take a special bag home to bring their item back in. this bag is nevaeh's reason for living. when she has it, it goes everywhere with her. seriously. she sleeps with it at night. and everyday she asks me when she gets to be the leader. as soon as i pick her up from school she lets me know who the leader is for next day.

school has helped her so much. i can't believe how afraid i was, but she has really grown and she is learning so much. they have been learning about fire safety all year, and when nevaeh and i were reading a robert munsch book about a fire she was very disappointed in the children who were walking around and not dropping under the smoke. tonight we were reading a book called "blue hat green hat", and i read it once and then nevaeh read it. it was pretty amazing, even though she isn't really reading letters as much as she is reading pictures, i caught a glimpse of her future.

so with naima out of her baby phase and nevaeh entering the kid phase i keep telling mike it's time for a boy to round out the family. i think i've discovered this new person in me who loves to cook and bake and take care of my house, and this person wants to have more babies. i can dream can't i?