New doll to replace the lost Emma. This one, by Raya's choice, is named Emma also.
She's growing a bunch of teeth, but that's been the case for a while now, so it should not be the culprit for the sudden sleeplessness. She's also in the midst of a verbal growth spurt so overwhelming that it may well be responsible for her little mind not being able to settle down to sleep. While I was singing to her tonight the song that usually has her conked out in about five minutes, she kept belching out the ABC song over my own voice as loudly as she could, waving her arms and trying to unbutton her pajamas. I pretended not to hear her, but in truth could hardly keep from laughing. She's learning new parts of the song every day, and she keeps singing the letters she knows, along with random sounds in between, over and over and over again. When not singing in bed, she can be heard recounting parts of the day, "Adam...peekaboo....Heidi...pancakes..." for the Mother's day breakfast we had with friends, enumerating the names of family and friends--"tati Dado, batko Sawa, mommy Elle....Tyler, Elaine, Eve....Teacher Amy...."--humming nonsense, and what not.
Always up to no good when I am not looking.
If I had to pick one word to describe her right now, it would be "hilarious." Two words, "hilarious and exhausting." Three words "hilarious, exhausting, and scary." She threw a tantrum in the shoe store today because we wouldn't let her walk out of the store with the crocs we were buying for her before we had actually paid for them. I look at that scene with a telescope twelve years into the future, and I see a tween with a frightful attitude. I'm cracking those parenting books tonight. I finally realize how lucky and blessed we have been with Sava.
And yes, a face that always amplifies everything she says.
*****
As I look through the photos from the past week, I am gratified and surprised to see that so many of them show the kids playing together or alongside each other. This togetherness--mostly welcome for Raya, sometimes tiresome for Sava--has been the most noticeable change in our life since grandma's departure three weeks ago.
It's amazing to think that nineteen months ago they didn't know each other, and now they don't know life without each other.
Even when not engaged, they are always aware of each other's presence, and always responding to each other's cues.
Sava understands Raya Speak better than anyone else in the family, and often will translate for us, when she is flailing with frustration at not being understood. Mommy, she's saying that she wants "Baa baa black sheep."
They often "read" together when I am busy with a chore, but I can never capture a candid picture, because Raya is always aware of the camera and always rushing to tell me something.
They also love to "draw," which for the most part means Sava trying to create something while Raya furiously scribbles over it; he has the patience of a saint but, yes, I've had to intervene a few times--
It would be fair to say that he looks out for her at least as much as I do, and often more. When sitting up on a high structure from which she can slip with a single quick slide of her tiny butt, he reaches out instinctively to hold her--always:
She may fret at his solicitousness on occasion, but for the most part adores him and seeks his company.
And he, being ever the caring sensitive person who drew the lucky numbers with his father's genes, never fails to impress us with his affection; though a bit embarrassed to admit it, he loves cuddling Raya's doll; she isn't so keen on his playing with Emma,
and watches him like a hawk until he gives it back to her--
I hope some day they can be friends. I hope they can call up each other and grumble about their parents or share accomplishments or complain about a sucky day at work.
I hope she can learn to appreciate his gentle sensitivity, and I hope he can learn from her how to be in the world around loud-mouthed and assertive people.
*****
We stayed close to home this week, as we recovered from the various illnesses of the previous fortnight, but it felt good to be in the sun and open air whenever we ventured out.
We celebrated Mother's Day with the friends with whom we've shared this parenting journey the longest--
And we celebrated thirty-three years of life for Rado. When he looks back on this day another thirty-three years from now, I hope he'll remember the sweetness of this moment: he and Sava blowing candles together, three each, Sava bubbling over with delight--
Happy new week everyone.
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