Photos: More Sylvia Highlights, 8 mo. to now

So many cute photos, I had to post some more.

But I also wanted to update Sylvia fans about her recent accomplishments.

First of all, this past week she has really taken off with walking. The previous week, she would usually take a few steps, then her legs would fold and she would resume crawling. Perhaps once a day she would manage a series of six to eight steps. All of a sudden last weekend, I noticed that she was upright much more of the time, and those series of steps became much more frequent. Today in yoga, one of the other mothers observed how mature Sylvia seems now, stronger when walking and more self-confident. I agree!

She has also made a leap with signing. It's obvious now that Sylvia "gets it"—she seems to understand signing as communication and is eager to use it. This breakthrough has been facilitated by her mastery of the sign for "nursies," and she delights in demanding her favorite activity throughout the day (and night). She is currently obsessed with lights of all kinds and so has added "light" to her signing vocabulary. As of yesterday, she is working on the sign for "book." Is this the daughter of an editor and a Library and Information Studies graduate student or what?

On Wednesday, we attended a sign-language storytime at one of the L.A. public libraries. Sylvia was fascinated when the teacher signed one of her favorite books, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Then today, when I was reading another favorite, Gallop!, I made the sign for "chicken," which incorporates the sign for "bird." Sylvia began flapping her arms like a bird, something she has learned from her nanny, who asks her, "Cómo vuelan los pájaritos?" (How do the little birds fly?)

Another accomplishment that makes her parents more nervous than proud is that Sylvia has discovered climbing. When Grandma Fran came over on Tuesday afternoon, she noticed Sylvia using the large tin we use as a drum as a step to reach some tantalizing objects on a tabletop. Later, she used a stack of books to try to reach some framed photos on a shelf.

We really, really cannot keep up with this girl.

Daddy and Mama have been conscientiously trying to create sleep associations for Sylvia to help our girl go and—more importantly—stay asleep at night. One of the books we consulted recommended cultivating a "lovey," so we've been putting Sylvia to bed with Luna, the bear she received for Christmas. Sylvia has slowly been showing more affection for Luna. Now at bedtime, we say "Night-night" to Luna. Sylvia will often grab her, kiss her on the nose, and hold her close. As I rock Sylvia and sing to her, she will hug Luna and pat her on the back, much as Mama does to Sylvia when she wakes at night.

Can I get a collective "Awwwwwww"?

To resume with the photos... Let's travel back in time to when Sylvia was eight months old. Here's a series from our regular trip to the Sunday Farmer's Market on Main Street in Santa Monica:


Sylvia is always cozy in Mama's sling! We love taking Sylvia to the market because it's such a wonderful multi-sensory experience for her. It's also a great way to introduce her to new foods and new flavors. Here she is discovering the feathery texture of fennel tops:


A portrait with Daddy by the ponies, a bit of foreshadowing!


Happy girl!


Daddy had to capture his little girl in this beautiful dress that Grandmas Pat and Sue brought back from Hungary:


You may notice that Sylvia (like most babies) loves to chew on things. At nine months, Sylvia discovered that she loves clementines. Peeling the clementine is optional!


Sylvia also got her first hair cut at nine months. One of the yoga mamas astutely connected Sylvia's new look with the style of Louise Brooks, the Flapper-era model, dancer, actress, and pioneer of the bob. Here she shows off her new look with Grandma Fran (and check out the perfect color coordination of these two):


Daddy also introduced Sylvia to the joys of riding around in the laundry basket. She loves touring the condo while riding in comfort:


I had to include this photo because it captures one of Sylvia's endearing traits: a penchant for standing on the balls of her little feet.


Oh, what the heck. Here's another one, at 10 months:


OK, back to the present. Here's another petting zoo photo:


And another of the pony ride, with Grandma Fran looking on:


One more with Sylvia and Mezhaidig:


Sylvia enjoying the many properties of light at Mezhaidig's house:


Kevin captured this moment of teddy-bear tenderness with Luna:


We're so bad at taking photos at Sylvia's activities. Luckily, other moms are generous with their photos. Here's Sylvia at a special Mommy & Me class at the YWCA in Santa Monica when both Mama and Daddy were able to attend during Kevin's spring break. From left, Kaden, Avery, Sarah, Juliet, and Sylvia. Sarah's mom and Avery's are in the background. (Thanks to Kaden's mom, Jamie, for this photo.)


And now Sylvia is waking, so I have to go!