Wandering the streets of downtown Portland was wonderful, but getting to spend some time hanging out with my niece was even better. Elise is motoring all over the place these days, darting from room to room, pausing only occasionally to catch her balance, and then she’s off once again. She still loves books, and I treasure the moments that she’ll snuggle up on my lap and let me read to her. She is expanding her vocabulary daily, but still uses the bit of sign language she has learned when she really wants to get her point across (the sign for ‘more’ is very popular when it comes to snack-time). As with any one and half year-old, she has her mellow moments and her not-so-mellow moments. I caught her on one of her more mellow mornings yesterday, as I hung out with her on Alberta Street while Kathryn got her hair cut. We went to a coffee shop together, and she sat on my lap as I drank my latte and she munched on rice cakes, while we flipped through the paper together. It was lovely, true auntie-niece bonding time. I love this little girl so much, and although I hate to miss out on so much of her growth, I am already looking forward to seeing what new words she has learned or interests she has developed when I catch up with her again next month. It’s fun to see her personality shine through more and more with each visit. And is it really possible that she just keeps getting cuter and cuter?
Mom says:
All of these pics are “suitable for framing”. You captured the “thoughtful” Elise. I love the ruffly pink t with the denim coveralls.
August 21, 2009, 6:15 pm