Language leaps and bounds

It seems that all of a sudden, Jenna's vocabulary is growing exponentially. She does a whole lot of jabbering, and a lot of what she says is undecipherable, but she is definitely trying to repeat many more words. She still either resists saying 'Mama', or it just comes out with a 'da' or a 'ga' sound. She understands a lot of what we say to her, and if we ask her where something is (such as our belly buttons, her bee mobile, specific toys, the dogs, or her tongue) she responds correctly every time.

She loves reading her books. We read the same three favorite books about a dozen times each every day! One of her books has flaps with pictures. For the longest time, she's been so focused on opening every single flap and then turning the pages as quickly as possible. Then she started taking the time to point out the ladybugs. Now, she can find the sun, the dog, the stars, and a few other things.

She also recognizes and verbalizes her words for airplane, bird (she giggles like crazy at birds!), and tree. She's even doing a lot more pointing and saying 'da!' at different things. Before having this empty slate to teach, I never really thought about how much there is to learn. Everything we look at has a name, a color, a texture, sometimes a sound.... Now it seems like there isn't enough time in the day to satisfy Jenna's curiosity about everything around her.

To wrap it up in a neat little package: Jenna is an incredible kid. My love for her grows every single day. I thought she was fantastic when she was a tiny little baby, but this just keeps getting better. She's fun to be around and I'm proud to be related to her. It's a bummer that she goes to bed so early at night, but I look forward to waking up every day to see her.

Progress

We picked up our first batch of siding this weekend, and Frank has started installing it! This is such an exciting step. Our house is looking more and more on the outside like a home than just a never-ending construction project. The color - Ivy Green - is darker than I was expecting, but I love it. Frank originally wanted a light beige, I was leaning more towards the darker blue-grey. We agreed on a light grey, but when Frank went to order it, he had a last-minute change of heart. He thought it would be too light with our white trim, so he suggested the Ivy Green. I supported that change immediately!

Since the picture was taken, he's finished the section around the round-top window. It's beautiful. I can't wait to see what it looks like when I come home tomorrow afternoon!

He's been working so incredibly hard on the house lately. He's either working on window trim, the siding, the soffits, chainsawing/chopping wood, anything to keep making progress. He starts working by about 8:30 every morning, and doesn't stop till about 10:00 at night.

From time to time, I think about the things I wish he did differently or how I wish he was more like someone else's husband or whatever. I just need to knock this off. If he was as critical of me as I often am of him, I would be devastated.
I am lucky to have such a hardworking man who loves me and absolutely adores our daughter. Sure, there may be room for improvement, but who couldn't make themselves better? I married him for the man he is, not the man I could mold him into. He is a very good and decent man. I am grateful for what I have.

Snoring

Our dogs have a problem with snoring. Actually, we have a problem with their snoring. I don't know if it's all that extra Labrador skin around their necks that impedes clear breathing when they curl up for a snooze or what. Lucy more so than Niagra. And Lucy is a sound sleeper. Usually Frank can snap his fingers to get her attention and wake her up. Occasionally we have to quietly coax her out of her REM sleep by saying, "Lucy - wanna get it?" or "Lucy, bring it!" or some other phrase that brings sheer joy to her when she's awake.

The other day, Frank and I were napping (one of the most lovely summer afternoon treats!). I woke up first, as I usually do. I love this time - when the dogs, my husband, and my daughter are all sleeping. I just laid there in Frank's arms relishing the peacefulness. He was sleeping so soundly. They all were. I was watching Frank sleep, his jaw slack as he was mouth-breathing very deep breaths. Then he started snoring. Quietly at first, gradually getting louder. He snapped his fingers, and I giggled. In a groggy voice he hissed, "Lucy!"

I whispered, "Why did you say 'Lucy'?"

"Because she was snoring."

"That was you!"

"..."

He tried to make sense of this in his half-asleep brain. I just thought it was cute that he couldn't tell his sounds from the dog's.