Paige's Pages

Monday, September 17, 2007

On the move!

It's been an eventful couple of months since the last Paige blog update. The most momentus of Paige's developments is her newfound mobility.
Paige had all the skills but failed her driving test since her little legs couldn't reach the pedals. Sorry, no driving for you for another 15 years!


Paige also learned how to read in the last couple of months, which proves her Grandfather Pettigrew's claims of prodigy.








Seriously, Paige first started crawling just before her 9 month birthday and has been a whirling dervish ever since. She absolutely loves her newfound freedom and almost immediately began crawling up stairs, or climbing onto whatever stationary object presented itself. The challenge has been teaching her how to come down the stairs since each time we've tried to demonstrate it to her, she shrieks in protest, as if to say, "But I only just climbed UP all those stairs! Why would I want to go down?!?". A couple of days ago though, the penny did drop for her as to how to descend but she has yet to perfect the motion, striking fear into her parents hearts as she wavers precariously at the edge of each step.


Her mobility also posed a challenge during our trip to Nova Scotia. We stayed in B&Bs most of the way, and the rooms were inevitably furnished with beautiful and delicate antiques, thus ensuring that Paige required an escort at all times when we were in the room. Not the most restful of vacations perhaps but full of fun and wonderful vistas.

Despite the wildlife and the vistas, Paige did manage to catch a few moments of blissful rest...







Paige is as gleeful as ever, and thoroughly enjoyed our many walks and
hikes in Nova Scotia. She made a concerted effort while we were away to meet every single Nova Scotian we passed. If they weren't immediately taken with her, she would stare at them and then escalate to happy shrieks if they continued to ignore her. Many an elderly lady was charmed by her big smile, her big round blue eyes and her whispy blond hair.

It is only now sinking in for Jenn and I how social a little lady we have on our hands, and we're delighted that she is pleasant and chatty with everyone (including squirrels, birds, whales, and especially dogs!).

I have now taken over as primary daytime caregiver for Paige and am absolutely adoring it. Of course it's exhausting chasing her around all day, taking her for walks and visits to the park and such but the smiles (she now has five teeth -- two on the bottom and three on the top ) are worth it.