The Awesome

1. A few days ago, Georgia, for the first time unprompted, told me she loved me. I had handed her her morning smoothie which is full of supplements and can, on a Monday, which it was, feel like the most tedious task to put together first thing, and patted her on the head saying, "Here ya' go, Georgy," before walking back towards the kitchen. "Mom, wait, wait!" She called. "What's up, G?" I asked. And then, "I love you." (Swoooon....)

2. Georgia knows almost every musical instrument by name or by charades and often by sound she can pick them out in a song. Even a guiro! 

3. The reason Georgia knows almost every musical instrument is because she has an incredible memory. We've noticed she tends to learn things categorically. She likes to list things and we can go back and forth sort of almost testing each other on groups. She'll list family members, or types of animals, types of bugs, things that go, seasons and the things you find in them, etc. Recently when Alex was putting Georgia to bed one night she listed all the people in our immediate and extended family, but she proceeded each name with the word "love." (i.e. "love Mom, love Dad, love Rainer, love Grammie, love Grampie, love Papa Tom, etc...)

4. Georgia has an incredible sense of humor. She is also a big teaser and she loves to make silly faces just to make you laugh. She gives you the best side-eyed glance or will peek through lidded eyes to make sure you're catching on and paying attention.

5. Georgia has begun to give the best full bodied hugs.

6. She also loves to do a "four-family" (Rainer's term for it) hug. If she catches Alex and I hugging she almost always stops what she is doing so she can get into the middle of it saying "family!"

7. Georgia is getting SO good at alternating her feet going up and down stairs. I still feel a little emotional when I watch her do it.

8. She has also started saying hello to people either on her own or when we ask her to. She used to run the other direction around people--even our neighbors--but now she goes up and says hello, waves (with her funny little wave) and calls them by name. I am constantly surprised by whose names she knows!!!

9. She has great manners.

10. Georgia loves dogs and when she gets a little more predictable with her hands we are thinking we will look into getting a one. We are actually quite seriously considering a service/companion dog. I've done a fair bit of research in the last few weeks on it and the thought of what it could be like brings joyous tears to my eyes.

11. Georgia is a great little reader. And she came home today with her first book from the school library Curious George Rides a Bike. She is currently having a bit of a love affair with the curious little monkey. 

12. Every time I put on my shoes or go near my coat Georgia says, "Bye Mom!" If it weren't so stinkin' cute, I might be a little offended how almost eagerly she's ready to see me off.(I think it's fair to say she has probably needed a little break from me, as well.) She will keep saying it until I either say "Bye sweetie," or tell her I am not going anywhere.

13. It was so cool when Georgia got her newest pair of eyeglasses. In 6 months, I am sorry to say her vision has gotten progressively worse, but when she put the latest on she looked around and checked things out and has been even better about wearing her glasses (she's usually pretty good anyway, but she's definitely wearing them even more now). Watching her adjust them on her face if they get knocked askew can almost make me curl over and weep because of the cuteness.

14. Georgia is able to put on her own pants!!

15. And since it seems kind of funny to end it with the sentiment in number 14 (though I assure you, the excitement is sincere),I will end with this instead. I did a fair amount of complaining this week about my little gal, but the absolute truth of it is that I think she is awesome. She really is. A neat, neat girl. I love her with my entire being. And then some.

Comments

[Portia Roberts]

Georgia rocks. She reminds me of my grandson in so many of the things you described. And it's really ok to complain and even get frustrated. It's because you love her so very much. You sound like a great mom.

[Kristin]

Awww!!! Sounds like she really is doing well, and with the new school, she'll be rockin it even more!!! Why is it that the little 'pebbles in our shoe' have to consume our attention and make us forget all the wonderful things about our kiddos!! Maybe I should make a list. I've been super grumpy about a few things this week ;)

[starrlife]

Well, you know I'm a fan...

[Maureen]

Way to go Georgia! All of those things are wonderful to celebrate.