They call her General Sherman.

Nana left her with Ata for a little while a few mornings ago and she came back to find the house sacked, toys and papers strewn everywhere, and her Ata calling her General Sherman.


In other news, the Animalia has started to sign más (more). OK, actually I think she may have been signing it for awhile but I just realized that's what she was doing. Sad, isn't it? Here the Animalia was being brilliant and I didn't even notice.

Abrazos!

Dale abrazitos a Elmo. She goes and finds Elmo, she gives him a hug and pats his back.

Dale abrazitos al Baby Croki. She finds Baby Croki, gives him a hug and pats his back.

Mama. Mama, she repeats.

Da. DAH DAH DAH, she repeats.

Cooper? She looks at him and raspberries.

Injury inspired laughter.

So the Animalia, she likes to climb into this tiny box. Last night, she pushed down on it and it kind of flipped, hitting her on the forehead. She was startled, not terribly injured but started to cry. The whole thing was too funny, though I know it doesn't sound that hilarious now, but it just was. I laughed, her Da laughed. She screamed. Everytime she saw her Da laughing at her she screamed louder. I was trying to soothe her by picking her up and saying shhhh shhhh shhhhh but her Da was right there laughing. She was too angry to stop crying and us laughing was just making her more upset. Screeching followed, and pretend crying. I had to hold her and hug her and hide my face so she wouldn't see me laughing.

¡Baila, Baila!

The Animalia knows how to dance all of a sudden. She seems to have picked up this skill at her grandparents house, where they play music all day long. On request, she raises her little hands and swivels her waist and she does it back and forth a few times. Today, while I was visiting for lunch, she actually did it when the music stopped, almost like she was telling us to put on a new CD.

She looks just like her Ata when she dances. Poor baby.

All she wanted was an abrazo.

All she wanted was a little abrazo from one of her most favorite children ever. So she used this petite little girl to pull herself up to standing and the little girl was knocked over. While this girl, who is almost a year older but only a tiny bit heavier and a couple of inches taller, was laying on the ground, she climbed her in a second attempt at an abrazo. The poor girl tried to get up. She tried and tried and just kept being defeated in her attempts by the giant Animalia. Tense moments passed and the girl was finally able to get up. The girl ran. The Animalia chased, crawling quickly. The girl said urgently, "Ay viene, ay viene!" and looked for help from her Yaya. The Yaya was no help though, finding it all hilarious enough to attempt taking a picture instead of assisting the girl. Animalia's mother was no help either, she couldn't stop laughing and trying to take pictures. The Yaya encouraged the girl to give the Animalia abrazitos. But no, it was not to be. The girl was determined to get away from this giant baby who wanted to touch her.

All the Animalia wanted was a little abrazo. Oh yeah, and also to play with a tiny bow on the top of the little girl's brightly colored dress. Poor Animalia. The girl wouldn't have it.

He missed her.

The Animalia's Da, he missed her when she was on vacation. He thinks she came back doing more things and doing some things better than when she left.

1. She's rocking her dolls. It just breaks my heart in the most tender way when she does this.
2. The good girl thing. She pats herself when you ask her who's a good girl? Yes, I reinforce this skill every single day.
3. Standing. She stood without holding onto things sometimes before but now she just stands there. Like a big girl.
4. Walking. Before, when we held her up to walk around, she'd do so on tiptoes. Now she does it with her feet flat on the ground.
5. Climbing. She's climbing everything all of a sudden. EVERYTHING. She tried before, to climb, but now, I don't know, it's just more.

She's almost ready to strike out on her own in this big wide world.

The poop thing.

The poop thing, the constipation, appears to have resolved itself. Actually, I don't think it resolved itself I think it was resolved by adding additional iron supplements to her diet. So now she just poops almost every single day. I hate to say that I might just miss the good ol' constipated days where we had no idea what other parents were going through during diaper changes. OK, so maybe I don't miss them really, since she was so sad then, but still. I might miss them.

Yesterday she was getting a bath at Nana and Tata's house. She stood up in the bath (holding on to the edge of the tub, what do you think we are, savages?) and she dropped three perfectly formed turds into the water. Go baby!

We're back!

The Animalia and I are back from our whirlwind trip to Washington, DC to visit her Nina.



It was fantastic and all the anxiety that I had about flying back and forth with her was relatively unfounded. She slept and played on the flights and did adorable things that made people say she was adorable. She was actually fairly excellent on the trip overall. She had her teary moments but really, what teething baby who's been uprooted from their normal routine hasn't had teary moments?

The flight there was decent. We were sitting alone, just the two of us, in a solo seat to Houston. We laughed, we cried, we napped. The 5am flight was by design as I figured waking her at that early hour could only result in naptime on the plane. From Houston to Baltimore we lucked out too, although in a different way. We were seated directly behind first class so more leg room. Plus, the couple sharing our row loved the Animalia, wanted to play with her, chat with her and were very helpful and friendly and nice. They live in Albuquerque, though originally from India and they showed Animalia pictures of Hindu gods. She napped on that flight too, she made new friends, she ate. It was so much more pleasant than I had expected.

We got to Baltimore late Thursday afternoon and after a relatively short car ride and a quick stop for fast food, we reached our final destination. The nina's apartment, which is very nice. She made lots of space for us, giving us her bedroom for the duration of the visit. Animalia got to explore, we took a stroll to the Yes! Organic Market for Animalia groceries (organic baby food, organic peach, organic yam, organic avocado). We unpacked our many food gifts (chorizo, tortillas, carne seca). We relaxed. Animalia explored a little. Later Thursday night we, the Nina, Animalia, and myself, took a longish walk to the Washington Monument. Animalia got to touch it and we gazed down at the WWII monument and Lincoln lit up in the distance.

Metro back to the apartment.

Sleep, sleep.

The next morning (really early afternoon) the Animalia and I went exploring. We took the metro to a farmer's market where we bought bacon for Sunday breakfast, a watermelon italian ice, and a delicious sandwich made with incredible bread and filled with feta and spinach AND topped with cheddar cheese. The Animalia and I wandered over to a bench on the National Mall and shared the picnic while people watching. Animalia's first sip of the italian ice was confused. It was sweeter and colder than almost anything she's ever had and she let it melt and dribble out of her mouth, leaving a bright red stain on her white cotton tshirt. She was ready after that though, eating small scoops of italian ice like a pro. She loved the sandwich too, but she likes food, so I wasn't too shocked. We finished our meal and headed back to the metro, taking it downtown to H&M for tiny clothes. I bought Animalia a Hello Kitty dress and matching sweater and a couple of other clearance items.

Metro, metro. Back the way we came to meet Nina and Celia for lunch at Good Stuff Eatery (also known as Spike's restaurant, of Top Chef fame). It was really incredible. I ate a burger topped with a fried egg, some pretty damn good greasy fries and a delicious toasted marshmallow milk shake. I was full. We walked back to the apartment for resting and waiting for the Nina to get off of work.

The Nina arrived and we headed out to a Nationals game. This made a grand total of two Major League ballparks for the Animalia in her first year of life. She was happy, we were happy, she clapped, we clapped, she stuck her hand in my chili dog. She squirmed at other kids. It rained for awhile but we were under an overhang and didn't get wet. We left in the 8th inning. We were all tired. Animalia was done. It was ok though, it was the Nats v Rockies with pitchers who had over 4 ERAs so, well, it wasn't the best game ever.

Waiting for the incredibly packed train on the way home was a bit sweaty and claustrophobic. A drunk sissy became fascinated with Animalia and chatted with her drunkenly. We managed to avoid standing next to him once we got on the train. Animalia tried to pinch the woman next to us. That was one of her major things on the trip, pinching. She'd done it to Annabelle before but she hadn't been really pinching me or anyone else. No more. She wanted to pinch everyone.

Back to the apartment. Sleeping, sleeping.

The next morning we headed to Georgetown with the Nina and Celia to get our eyebrows threaded. Not Animalia, her brows, as the Nina said, are perfect. On the bus ride there the Animalia was chewing on a cold pack to relieve the teething pain. She broke through the plastic and we experience momentary panic when she looked up and her little mouth was blue. I am a terrible mother. Thank god it's non toxic. Cleaned her mouth out, got to the threading place, Animalia ate food while we got threaded. After that we got breakfast and the Animalia ate some papas and pan.

After breakfast, we got some fantastic gelato. The Animalia slept while I ate basil and lime cilantro gelato. It was truly incredible. Then we shopped, first at Piccolo Piggies, a very fancy shop where I scored some great sale items for Animalia. If they hadn't been on such a good sale I wouldn't have been able to afford them. Seriously. Then to Sephora and another H&M where I bought clothes for myself. Jeans that fit! Oh my goodness!

Back to the apartment. Napping, napping.

We took a cab to dinner at Sticky Rice, a sushi place that serves PBR sake bombers and tater tots. The cabbie gave Animalia a tiny teddy bear and chatted with us about his family. At the restaurant, they were very good to Animalia, offering to turn down the music and one server even creatively made her a cup to drink from, using a plastic container and cutting a hole in it for the straw. The food was great, I ate some sushi, the Animalia ate some tater tots and some teriyaki tofu bites. Oh, and then she pooped. At a restaurant with no changing tables in the bathroom. Gross. And then she pooped on the cab ride home. "Amalia, you've been rockin' that diaper for awhile," said Celia. She got a bath too, because it was disgusting.

Back to the apartment. Sleeping, sleeping.

Sunday morning, the Animalia slept in, rolling around in her Nina's bed while we got ready for brunch guests. She did wake up eventually, guests arrived, she played and wandered. We talked about how she's an attractive baby and maybe she needs something to protect her from the mal de ojo, you know, just in case. Celia watched her while I played Bananas, the best word game ever, next to Scrabble. After breakfast, we went with the Nina and the Animalia's new friend Gloria to the Jim Henson's Fantastic World exhibit. She liked the Muppets in their cases. It wasn't all Muppets though, it was a small retrospective type exhibition, dealing with the range of his work, lots of illustrations and stuff relating to unrealized projects. Nice. Animalia got an Elmo puppet that she loves. Gloria went home and the Animalia, the Nina, and I took the metro, went to the International Spy Museum gift shop for gifts for Da, and hit a lovely tea house. There, the Animalia ate, nursed and took a nap while the Nina and I had cocktails and snacks.

When the Animalia woke up, we hit the International Museum of Crime and Punishment. The Animalia was happy there with all the ominous music and references to death and murder. It was good times.

Back to the apartment. Animalia slept while we stayed up late watching DVRd things. The Nina made me a sandwich.

Sleeping, sleeping.

The next day the Animalia woke up cranky. She was clingy. She didn't want anyone else to touch her. I had to finish packing. So I did. She cried and complained. I finished up, we took a walk around the neighborhood. We took her to the fancy dog store where she made raspberries at the dog statue. We munched on things, went back to the apartment, packed up the car and headed to Baltimore. Animalia took a nap on the car ride and I was afraid, both because of the nap and her previous mood, that she'd be difficult on the flight home. She wasn't. Between Baltimore and Houston she was great, though her little foot did touch this woman's newspaper. The woman flinched. The flight from Houston home was great though, with us sitting in an entire row of older women who love babies. One woman actually spent a good bit of the flight gazing at Animalia. When the Animalia pointed at her, not sure at what, a bracelet, earrings, the woman actually asked what she wanted and said that she'd give her whatever it was. The Animalia also took to saying Hi to people in her breathy, Kathleen Turner or tiny drag queen way that she does. It was cute. She slept a bit on both legs of that trip too. Good girl.

The Hi thing... she'd said Hi before but not regularly. Now she's saying it all the time. Also, her Nina taught her to pat herself whenever someone asks "Who's a good girl?" It's freakin' adorable.

When we arrived in Tucson, it took 45 minutes to locate her checked carseat and that was a drag and I was mean to the customer service lady but she wasn't very helpful. I'll elaborate at a later date. We were happy to see Da though, driving up. He jumped out of the car and Animalia smiled. He lifted her out of her stroller and she laughed and gripped him for dear life. He put her in her carseat and she wailed sadly. I think she was wondering where he was the whole time.

Home.

DC tomorrow, next week the world!

Wish us luck. Tomorrow at 5am our journey begins to visit the Nina in Washington, DC. We're ready. Animalia's clothes are packed, the diaper bag is packed, the stroller is ready to go. I've checked us in for our flight and chosen seats. The Nina has secured use of a Pack and Play. Tonight, showers and baths, bottle prep and the last few odds and ends. Tomorrow morning, 3am wakeup and Da will drive us to the airport and lovingly say goodbye to us until Monday night. We'll check our suitcase and the carseat and board the plane and it'll be fun and games until Houston where we'll stretch our legs and board another plane and more fun and games and then we're there.

It'll be fine.

Melting!

How CUTE is this?! This chair is miniature, just like Animalia. It was a gift from her Tías Grandes, bought for her at some point on their Guadalajara trip. My heart... melted. Just melted.

Clapping and singing.

Me (talking to Animalia's Nana): I think she may be a fag hag.
Nana: A what?
Me: A fag hag.
Nana: A fat cat?
Me: A hag. Nevermind.
Nana: Ohhhhh. Why?
Me: Because when she hears Chaka Khan and Diana Ross she starts clapping and singing. On the way here today "I'm coming out" was on the radio and she started singing and I could hear her clapping her hands.

So this is my current theory about my daughter. Either that or she's a disco fan, plain and simple. But I prefer the previous explanation better. Also, there have been a couple of gay men that she's met in her short life that she's taken a shine to. With smiling and ojitos and such.

Andando, andando.

Corriendo, corriendo, corriendo!

We used to move Animalia's tiny little legs slowly, slowly, then really fast and say, "Andando, andando, andando.... ¡Corriendo, corriendo, corriendo!" She would just laugh and laugh. This, of course, is what we USED to do. Before she became a crawler and a cruiser.

Nowadays, she can get herself around quickly and efficiently. She cruises the couches, getting from one to the other in these insane leaps of faith that make me hold my breath. She's been practicing walking, with our help, and sometimes, when she's standing, she thinks she can walk on her own. She pulls herself up, turns around, sees something she wants and takes giant steps toward it. Her steps are so giant that she couldn't possibly balance on her own. At the last minute she seems to realize that and falls, catching herself somehow and crawling toward the thing that she wanted in the first place.

She's so focused sometimes. She can't be distracted when she's into something, her tiny face scrunching, deep in thought and consideration. Interrupt her those times and she might throw a mini-fit, arching her back and screaming at you or swatting your hand away. She's busy you know.

Countdown.

In less than two weeks, the Animalia and I, we're going on a short vacation to Washington, DC to visit her Nina Boymagnet. This is very exciting for all of us but I am a little concerned about traveling with an infant all by myself. People do it all the time, I know, but it's a long flight for someone who wants to be crawling and cruising all the time. We'll be fine.

The minute I bought the tickets, the Animalia started packing her tiny suitcase. She packed a bib, a piece of paper, one of those doughnut shaped things that goes on her stacker toy, and one diaper. I asked her if she was packing wipes and food for the trip. She said no, that she'd be fine. And then she crawled out to the curb, using one hand and two feet as her second hand was dragging the suitcase, and has been waiting there, sitting on the suitcase, ever since. I told her to come inside, what would the neighbors think, and she just shrugged her shoulders.