"No!"

Sorry it's been so long... we were in Italy! Heheeee... Our trip was wonderful, relaxing, beautiful and ideal, but we both missed Anna SO much. By about day 10, I was ready to come back and see my girl, but I struggled through by lounging on the beach all day and reading novels and eating gelato. Poor me, right? Oh, brave soul...

Anna did wonderfully with Mom and Terry. According to their reports, she was a sweet and happy child the whole time, slept well, ate well, and played in the back yard with rocks. Kurt and I just can't thank them enough, they literally made our honeymoon trip possible. We could have taken Anna with us, but it would have been a VERY different trip. Thanks again! We love you so much!

Another benefit of the trip was that Anna is no longer timid around her maternal family. She really got to spend time with them, and now is excited when we go over there! She knows the house well, she has a basic idea where the cat may be hiding, ("Sappho...? Saaaaappho!"), knows that they keep a box of tops in the corner for her, and loves her Terry and her Grem. Even though we missed her like crazycakes, it was worth it for her to finally make this connection.

So, returning to the headline, Anna has delivered her very first, "No!'. Of course, she was saying it to herself, but still, it was a momentous occasion, promising much usage in the future. It all came about Sunday, as she was scooting around playing with her truck in the living room. Kurt and I had both told her that, NO, she couldn't go upstairs to the playroom right now, we'd go a little later. She kept testing the water, though, scooting closer and closer to the short steps off the living room that lead to the playroom. Just as I was about to tell her, "NO", again, she said it to herself! She looked over at us, looked at the stairs, and said, "No!", and then turned back to her truck and left the stairs behind.

Then we had several, "No's" at dinner, but more sung than said. She's still playing with the word and has yet to use it defensively. Soon, though... so soon. :)