Vacuosity

Brute charm

Jaimeson is changing so much lately, and so quickly.

She's on the verge of walking; the only thing really preventing her is fear. She can walk around holding on to things, but prefers to have a finger instead. It's tiring to walk her constantly, and sore on the back; although it's better since she's now satisfied with only one hand instead of two. She needs a finger pretty much only for comfort, and the occasional wobble.

It's interesting, too, to see her will develop. She decides things now, wants things and tries to make them happen. When we walk, we let her decide where to go. She meanders from place to place, pursuing whatever catches her interest.

Shortly after we arrived in Winnipeg, she started doing this thing to get your attention, or direct it where she wants. If you're holding her, she'll grab your face and forcibly turn it where whe wants you to look. I was surprised to see her behave so aggressively. It was funny at first, but it's getting out of hand. It's a little annoying though to have her wrench your head to the side at a whim. She's not gentle about it.

Books are a new thing for her. She is beginning to take an interest now. A Teletubbies book is one of her favourites ever since she saw the show. She'll choose one, hold up, looking pleadingly and grunting until you read it to her. The only problem is that she doesn't understand the words at all; she just likes the pictures, so no one book will hold her attention cover to cover. She always switches halfway through.

She's far more aggressive than Jordan ever was. He was a much gentler baby. I jokingly told him before she was born that she would start to beat him up as soon as she could walk. Now I'm wondering if that's actually going to be true. She's rough-and-tumble in a way he never was. She's stronger than he was at this age and she'll play ball; something Jordan wouldn't do for years. I told Julia that she may just turn out to be the boy I always wanted.

Truth be known, I think there's a pretty good chance she'll be the girl I always wanted: the kind of girl that can smack a wicked fastball and slide hard into second; the kind girl to bait her own hook, the kind of girl to take on a boy half as big again as her, and win. I want her to be the sort of girl who prefers jeans, but can wear a dress. The kind of girl who doesn't mind getting dirty, but cleans up well. She'll come camping with Jordan and me, and look just as good without makeup as when she wears it. She'll believe that it's okay to cry, but most of the time won't need to. She'll know that toughness isn't exclusive of femininity.

At least that's what I hope. And if I do my job well, it just might be.

posted by David @ 12:25 a.m.