Diana gives gymnastics a second try

Last week Diana attended her first gymnastics class. She had a really fun time, but she was very tentative.

Today was a new day. Though Diana still clung pretty tightly to mommy, she only did so for a few short minutes. She boldly asked to play on the trampoline with mommy ("Bouncing!") and with a little coaxing she let herself be lowered into "the great pit of foam." She had a wonderful time in the pit - bouncing on her bottom and "swimming" around. She also loved the long tumble-track trampoline. Though Diana still doesn't know how to jump without help, she ran down the length of the trampoline over and over again, even when her class moved on to other things.

Diana is getting to be very good at communicating with mommy. When she wants to eat, she will take mommy's hand and lead me into the kitchen (sometimes even pointing me at the stove). But this afternoon, Diana pulled a little trick on mommy.

I had been sitting, just where I am now, in front of my computer. I was helping Amelia find YouTube movies with cute kitty cats, doggies and guinea pigs when Diana reached for my hand. Taking both of my hands in hers Diana led me into the kitchen, but then she turned around and rushed back to my vacant chair. When she began to climb the side of the chair I realized that I had been tricked. Diana didn't want a snack - she just wanted me to get out of "her" chair.

Such a clever girl! This isn't the first time she has requested that I vacate a chair for her, but this is the first time that she acted like getting me out of her chair was not her real goal.

But while Diana is getting smarter and more articulate by the day, there are still times when I don't understand her at all. While I was again sitting here in front of my computer Amelia pointed out to me that Diana had spilled milk on the floor. Spilling milk wasn't a big deal, since I was sure it was an accident, but then I saw Diana stomping on the milk box I had bought her at Starbucks earlier in the day and forcing gushing fountains of white out onto the tile. I guess it was fun for her to watch the milk splash, I don't think she hates cow milk (she usually drinks soy).

On a positive note, Diana does admit when she's making a mess. If I ask, "Diana, are you making a mess back there?" she'll reply, "Yeah." She doesn't show any interest in stopping what she's doing, but at least she acknowledges that she's being messy. I guess that's a start.

Lisa