October 19, 2005: She's a big girl now

Veronika turned two last August and she's all grown up. That's how it feels anyway. There is lots of talking, which we are I enjoying very much. I didn't realize what a difference verbal communication makes. She can tell if she hurt herself and where, she can ask for things (yummyange = orange juice), she can suggest games (puzzle, plane, draw, horsey, kinderwagen...) and most of all she understands "first this, then this". It makes it easier to calm her down, when you can actually explain that she will get what she wants... eventually. The other advantage of communication is that her personality really comes out and it's a pleasure to watch her have ideas and pretend play and react to things in her very own way.

She likes to play with her doll (or any doll, like her Willie Randolph bobble head), put her to sleep and take her for a stroll. Drawing is also one of her number 1 activities. She loves puzzles and even memory games. Maisy and Sesame Street are her favorite shows. She's pretty good at playing by herself and it makes for a much easier schedule on a day-to-day basis. The best part is that now I always have the option of an actual activity if she gets too cranky. I can get a book or suggest a game... there is little of that toddler crankiness where I just don't know how to entertain her or it involves a lot of rolling around or me doing the game for her.

She speaks German and English and mixes it occasionally. Often she will "translate" things for Lincoln or for me and she knows who speaks what. It amazes me although I "knew" it does work. I hope I can stick to the German so she really grows comfortable with it.

Funny things she likes to do: sing "Happy Birthday" and the Alphabet song, saying "I don't think so" instead of just "no", saying "oh dear!" at just the right moments (she gets it from Winnie the Pooh) and point at her butt when you ask her where it is.