Toddler

The word Toddler is a funny, bumpy sort of word that doesn't roll off the tongue - just like a toddler's walk...toddle. I love watching Puddi move around - her body language is so imperfect and yet so perfect. I really wish there was a way I could press pause and have her at this stage for a while longer...before I know it, she'll have moved on to walking properly, running, talking full sentences and all of that...

I love the way Puddi is always on the move, as if she has suddenly discovered what her legs are for, and is too excited to sit still any longer. Back and forth she goes, giggling with the thrill of being able to exercise independent will, moving as fast as she can. Her whole body leans forward, the steps are sure, even while suddenly the weight of her diapered butt drags her off course or an unwary step brings her plopping on the ground. She thankfully lands with the limpness of not knowing and fearing the consequences of a fall, and therefore gets hurt much less.

I love the little hands of my Puddi, always busy, always exploring with her tiny yet capable fingers as she figures how to flick a switch on and off, or points the remote towards the television in imitation of us. The little hand that, surely just months ago, she wasn't even aware belonged to her, and seemed like a mysterious object and which she used to stare at in such fascination...Now it's able to reach for a morsel of food and put it into her mouth, now it can grab my necklace or pull a toy along, or pick up a crayon and scribble all over the floor...

I love the way she moves and expresses emotion. She has several smiles. One is a wide and toothy grin that shows off her four big teeth in the top gum. There's the sleepily cuddly one, reserved for early mornings and bedtimes. There's the excited one which comes on when I get home from the office and lights up her whole face. There's a mischievous one, slightly sideways, mouth and eyes just partly open. There's the one where she closes her eyes slowly, with a wide grin on her face, which she gives me when playing on my lap. And the best one, which she gives when she's thoroughly enjoying herself - she moves her whole little body from side to side , with a wide grin on her face and an expression in her eyes just asking you to share the joy with her.

And I love her babyliciously soft skin...like roses or soft, soft velvet...like the brush of feathers...like a deep well of cream...