NanaKim

We spend a lot of time looking into the eyes of our precious little grandchildren. I love the way that eye color can change. My granddaughter’s eyes are changing from blue to a grey shot with gold. We don’t know anyone else in the family with that color. My mother in law’s eyes are the closest I can think of. Hers were grayish blue/violet and very pretty. My granddaughter’s eye color looks very different depending on the light and time of day. Looking into her eyes makes me curious about who she will become.

She is definitely becoming someone. Sitting up is giving her new motivation and ability to enjoy the things around her and reach for more. Floor play is more interesting for her. She can see who is approaching more easily, including the one cat who is willing to spend time with her, Rita. Now that she can reach out and grab things, we are all reinforcing how to touch our cats gently. I am singing I love little Rita, her coat is so warm, and if I don’t hurt her she’ll do me no harm. So I’ll not pull her tail or drive her away, but Rita and I very gently will play. This is a well known nursery rhyme where I have just switched out the word ‘cat’ for the names of the four cats in my grandchild’s life. Helpfully, Rita is happy to work with me demonstrating appropriate stroking as I sing each of the four songs. Rita may even come over and nudge me to remind me to teach my granddaughter about stroking her fur. I am also singing other nursery rhymes about cats passed down through the generations, some included in old nursery rhyme books with beautiful illustrations.

Now that my granddaughter can reach for things, there are new toys for her to build her fine motor skills gaining more control every day. I found a lovely wooden Montessori toy in the local thrift store of pastel wooden shapes that slot over wooden pegs. My granddaughter is able to lift some of the pieces off the pegs. Of course then go straight into her mouth, but it’s all growth in her expanding world. There’s a lot going on in her brain with her focus on her goal of getting each shape free and coordinating her arms, hands and fingers. She looks very pleased with herself.

These are her toys from Lovevery, perfect for getting good satisfaction from reaching as she sits on her play mat or in her chair at the table. There is good feedback with sound and motion. Some things like pulling the fabric squares from the wooden box require effort as she builds muscle strength but she is very interested in trying. Her voice is expressing delight and frustration by turns as she plays with her toys with such intense focus. I’m getting that she wants mastery and agency. She will be her own boss as soon as she can make that happen.

Now that she has more ability to focus and really look at her adults, we are all using sign language more and so is she. With the acid reflux meds making her eating more comfortable, she is a much better eater and so the sign for ‘more’ is one of her favorites. Using sign language can reduce the frustration of communicating a little. Any way we can reduce stress and frustration helps smooth the day along, both for baby and the adults around her.

All of these changes allow her to express her personality more. What changes are you seeing? How is your little one showing you who they are? What are you doing to encourage these developing skills? What are some of your most joyful moments?