Jumping, Running, and Climbing

Nahum is gone for the week (Sunday night to Saturday morning) and it's rainy and dreary here so I've been looking into the indoor play programs here.  Today we tried the gymnastics studio Virginia Techniques and had a blast at the Preschool Playzone (walking-5yrs).  She climbed onto the springy floor, walked a few steps with big eyes then took off running for things to jump, climb-on and explore.  It was one of those miracle experiences for me as she demonstrated such strength and independence during that hour that she seemed to grow up in front of my eyes.  Along with the usual springy floor space, bars and beams was a blow-up jump castle, a 40'x5' trampoline the kids can run on (which we both did), an in-ground trampoline Shayna can walk onto, a 7' regular trampoline that Shayna climbed onto by herself, and a foam-cube pit which I would toss Shayna into then help her out.  Next time I'll get some videos and pictures but the link will give you a good idea of the fun things we played on.

I posted pictures from October, including Halloween, about a week ago.  She was an adorable little duck, loved her suite and had no problems taking candy from strangers.

What's this bucket got for me? 

"Ima, open pease." (she doesn't quite have that "el" sound yet)

Shayna the duck-dog.  She loves to imitate what the dogs are doing when we see them.

Reading books with Shayna this evening brought back memories.  She likes "There's a Wocket in My Pocket".  I remember reading this to her around 16-months-old and, her pointing out the steps and saying "steps".  I was so excited because it was one of the first things she identified in a book on her own.  She now has names for a couple dozen of her books and will tell you which one she wants to get if you ask her.  She also likes to read them herself ("self, self") and she'll talk about the different activities or things on many of the pages.

Other signs that Shayna is growing up: She can jump with both feet off the ground (a 24-month skill) and she is starting to throw toddler-style fits (she cried when we had to leave a friend's toy to go home).  It's gotten a little worse since Nahum left Sunday night as she really misses him but I'm thinking we'll be in for a rough ride with our independent little girl even when he gets home this weekend.

Next week we go to Pittsburgh for our 1-year post transplant appointment and the week after that it's Liver Day Party!!!