Hello, My Name is Annie

On our way inside the front door after a jaunt in the jogging stroller, Anne spotted Bon-Bon, our neighbor's dog. "Outside, OUTside!" she yelled, pointing her little finger towards the passing canine. We hurried down the sidewalk to say hello to Bon-Bon and Jessica, the little girl he dutifully trotted behind. Jessica's mom followed them, like a noonday parade. "How old is she?" Sarah asked me, referring to my wee one, who was completely enthralled with the panting, licking, nodding pooch. "She's 15 months," I answered. "And what is her name, again?" (They are new neighbors). Anne and I answered in unison, "Annie." I couldn't be certain that Anne had, in fact, indtroduced herself. She seems a little young to be doing that, and I didn't want to make a big deal in front of Sarah. So the next day, I casually asked Anne, out of the blue as she awoke for the day, "What is your name?" She grinned at me and patted her chest, chirping happily, "Annie!"

Anne has a lot to say these days, and her words are becoming more and more clear to us. I took her to Prairie Farm for the first time Friday afternoon. She recited all the animal noises to me as we prepared for our afternoon out: Cow says "moo," pig (snorts), sheep says "baa," horse says "neigh," duck says "quack." She is so smart! I know, all parents think this about their toddler! But I figure it's my job to think she is amazing, so I do it with pride and pleasure. Over dinner, I asked Anne, as I often do, "Tell Daddy what we did today, Anne." Her reply? "Ahhhh, MOO!" We then told him, together, what animals we had seen at the Prairie Farm.

What strikes me is that Anne says a lot, but she understands even more than she is able to articulate. While out for a walk last evening, as I pushed my curlie cutie in her stroller, I gushed to Charles, "I love being Anne's mommy!" And immediately, I hear smooching sounds from the little girl in the stroller. Love=kisses, and she is generous with the smooches. I may not receive a paycheck for the job I do day after day, but I am paid in full. She is a delight.