Our Little Girl

I am enjoying Chandra so much lately. She is so interactive and lively. I love having “conversations” with her. I’ll hold her up so we’re looking eye to eye. She’ll look right in my eyes, very contemplative and serious as if she’s trying to figure out what I’m thinking, and then all of a sudden burst into a big, beautiful smile that lights up her eyes and makes me feel like sunshine just filled the room. She coos, “talks” and mostly squeals at us. She sounds so girly. Then I just want to snuggle her close and love her, but she’s too wiggly and doesn’t like to be snuggled.

Chandra is always moving. She’s always looking around, kicking her feet, or waving her arms. Even when she’s sleeping she’ll often flip her head from side to side for minutes at a time. She loves it when we hold her up and let her jump on our laps or stomachs…our arms get tired before her legs do.

She’s decided she doesn’t like laying on her back anymore. Now anytime we lay her on her back she rolls over to her front, and then wiggles around on the floor. She tries so hard to move, pulling the carpet and wiggling her body so that she never stays in the same place long. The first time Bracken saw Chandra roll over he said excitedly, “Look Mom! I taught Chandra to roll over all by myself! She’s getting bigger! Good job Chandra.” I’m guessing she’ll be a much earlier crawler than Bracken, since she’s got an older brother to look up to and keep up with!

She’s such a sport with Bracken’s loving and mauling. Usually when I’ve left them alone for a minute I come back and find Chandra surrounded by stuffed animals and covered with blankets, with Bracken reading or singing to her. She just loves movement and activity, and is happiest when we’re busy and moving—when I’m running around with her in my arms playing tag or baseball with Bracken, playing in Bracken’s forts, or tagging along on any of his other adventures.

Whenever Chandra hears Brian talking she’ll stop crying, look around, and then watch him carefully until he comes to talk to her. It’s pretty cute. I love every time she giggles and don’t mind making a fool of myself to get her to laugh. I love her big, beautiful, soul piercing eyes. We all love our little girl!