Current mood:

creative

Yes, I'm still alive!
It's been a long time since I've given you an update on my life. The truth is, I've been waiting till I had some major news to report. But I guess once you reach toddlerhood, the developmental breakthroughs don't come along so frequently.

Before I get to the updates, such as they are, I want to mention that we're having our annual summer garden party and BBQ on Sunday, July 23 - and you're all invited! More details later, but for now, hold that date ... and if you don't live in Toronto, maybe you can think about coming for a visit around then.

Back to me ... Well, I've been working on my walking, and by now I'm an old pro. I can even scamper down a hall, stay upright on uneven ground, and carry big things around with me. I also enjoy opening and closing doors (mommy and daddy will never have any privacy again!), as well as throwing toys, remote controls and other small electronic devices down whatever stairs I can find (for some reason, mommy and daddy don't find this as entertaining as I do).

I have lots of teeth and can eat just about anything. I like watching the Teletubbies, love to move to music, and can understand a few simple things. Like, the other day, after I pulled all the kleenexes out of the box, mommy told me to put them back in again - so I picked up each kleenex and shoved it into the box, pausing after each one to give myself a small round of applause.

My communication skills are also really coming along - I wish I could say the same for mommy and daddy. I talk non-stop now but most of the time they just don't seem to get it. Mommy keeps asking people when I'm going to start speaking, but maybe she should work on her listening skills! I can't help it if she doesn't understand my language ... Fortunately, I've found other ways to convey my meaning. I make sure they know when I'm hungry, tired, want a toy, or need a hug. It's just a matter of time till we start conversing in their language.

And, although Mommy seems to think I'm, let's say, delayed, just because I can't talk yet, Auntie Nora says I'm a genius, and she took this video to prove it:

I was going to write a little essay about why I'm the best baby in the world, but mommy and daddy said that would be showing off. So I'll just say that everything is going fine with us. Mommy is very busy at work and sometimes I don't get to see her as often as I should. Daddy and I have lots of adventures on the weekends - going to the St. Lawrence market, garden centres and garage sales. Mommy has hooked up a little trailer for me behind her bike, which she uses to pick me up from Maria's on her way home from work - she says it's a lot easier than when she had to push her bike with one hand and the stroller with the other!

I've been able to spend time with grandma several times since she finished her big cruise with the penguins. I saw Alexander again at his birthday party, and I've also recently expanded my circle of young female friends - I saw my cousins Hannah and Emma, met daddy's friend Ian's little girl Clover, and had a fun visit from Athena, who's only a few months older than me. And I was fascinated to meet seven-week old Dillon last week … I'm sure I was never that young!

Now that I'm a mature toddler, I can take more of an interest in the world around me. I've noticed that our neighbours are all very excited about Portugal in the World Cup, honking their horns for hours after their team wins. Go, Tunisia!! I've been very happy to hear that Margaret, Shaheen and Jamel are all doing well and are on the mend. I hope the extended van Nooten family never has another year like that one. Also, happy birthday to Auntie Naomi, and big congratulations to Auntie Neelam on her new job.

And congratulations to Auntie Barbara for winning a Pulitzer Prize AND the award for International Newspaper Photographer of the Year, all in the same month! I'm very proud of you.

I hope to see everyone at the end of July, and next time I promise to update this thing faster!