play with my daughter more

We pounded on the piano for a half hour today, then went on a walk. We went geo-caching yesterday, but I think she mostly enjoyed the walk more than the excitement of finding a cache.

I’ve been in a pretty rotten mood the past couple of weeks, getting sick of the hum-drum life we find ourselves stuck in. Last night I got home from work and my daughter was already in bed. She didn’t take any naps so was pretty well exhausted. After I’d been home a bit she woke up and was cranky. I gave her a bottle, sang to her, changed her and gave her gas drops (which appeared to work right away). She just had a tummy ache so I held her for awhile, and magically my mood got better. I love that kid!!

This is one time my daughter loves. I discovered tonight that she loves to have water poured over her face from up high…even if it’s soapy water dripping in her eyes. I tried to avoid it, really I did, but she kept looking for where the water was coming from. I tried laying her on her back, having her sit up, no matter what position she was in she wanted that water on her face. She didn’t cry or make faces at the taste of the soapy water, she just grinned and looked at me like “again!! Again!!”

We played with rubber duckies, even her Daddy’s duck Norm (don’t ask, he picked it up a few years ago). Her sail boat, the watering can, even the washrag and the towel I put under her for cushioning. She loves her bathes, and even though she shivers I hate to take her out because I know she loves the water so much!! But alas, she must get warm and dry at some point, and better to do it when the shivers start.

I can’t wait for summer. She’s going to get a mini pool and we’ll play and play and play!! I hope she still likes the water by then. Sometimes wish we had the money to join the Y or someplace where they offer infant swimming.

I played “roll the ball” with my daughter today. I’m working on getting her to use her left hand more. I think she’s going to be right handed, but at least when I put the ball closer to her left she does use that to roll it back to me.

Yesterday she fussed until I read her books. For being 9 months, she sure has great patience to sit and listen for a good amount of time. I think we read at least 5 books and I think she wanted more!!

I’m going to try to go to the library today, depends on if I can get the car seat in the car or not (hubs usually sets that up for me on my weekend to watch her…I don’t touch it too much)

Yesterday I also let her play with her pureed bananas. She loved it, until she had to get wiped down. She loves her baths, but hates washing her face and hands after meals.

Yesterday I took my daughter shopping. She could care less other than seeing the pretty colors on all the clothes (remember, she’s only 9 months). All of her pants are starting to look like capris and her onsies are getting almost too small to button…so new, big girl wardrobe it is!! I got her a bunch of 18 month dresses, and she fits into them fine, other than being a little long. Just amazing how kids clothes are.

Anyway, a friend of mine works in the local small aquarium just up the street from the store we were at, so I took her there for a diaper change, snack and to see our friend. Because our friend is so awesome she gave us a huge bag of food pellets to take down and feed the fish, ducks and geese. My daughter loves doing that. The aquarium is right next to a state park and there is a utility/walking path that connects them. The whole walk is only a few blocks, so my daughter also got a good taste of fresh air. My sister was with us (forgot to mention that) so I held my daughter and pointed out some of the different animals. She liked watching the koi and other carp better, but I like watching the mallard ducks. Those green heads are just too pretty. We finally finished off that huge bag…that was a lot of food pellets!! And walked back to the car. My daughter was so pooped from the fresh air she’s not used to (don’t forget it’s been winter so she’s been cooped up inside) she fell asleep in the stroller. She only briefly woke up when I put her in the car seat, then was out before I had her fastened in.

I guess all the fresh air and shopping did her good, she went to be a half hour early, and didn’t even wake up early this morning. That’s my little angel, I love her sooooo much!!!

When I got home from work tonight my little girl was waiting for me. She’s just 9 months, and full of giggles. She rarely cries and fusses only when tired, hungry or wet and even then it isn’t much. Other than that, she’s full of giggles and jabber.

Tonight I just held her on my leg while I was on the floor and let her bounce around. Her daddy said it appeared to be the most fun she had all day. She talked and screamed at the cat, then bounced around some more. Once she got all the energy out (and a little poo) she went to sleep like a little angel.

Wish my life could be that simple and satisfying…guess it is when I just sit down and give full attention to my daughter. Life just seems so much easier when I do that :)

I need to make time to play with her. 4 years old in a few months, she is growing so fast. Soon she won’t want to play with me. I need to take advantage while I can.

...we played 2 games of BINGO and 2 games of Old Maid. We had a lot of fun!

Great fun despite the frustration factor!

She kicked my butt at Monopoly Junior on the weekend!