Exploring the Christmas tree

Last year Madi was fascinated with the Christmas tree. You could sit on the couch with her snuggled up at your shoulder and she would stare at the lights forever. It was almost as popular as the ceiling fan. I was curious to see how she'd react to the tree this year. I was super motivated this year and had the tree up before Thanksgiving. There are about half as many ornaments as last year but times they are a changing. We now have a little one that would love to pull, twist and eat the ornaments. I couldn't have a fully decorated tree 2/3 of the way up and nothing at the bottom so I went light everywhere. The lower ornaments are virtually indestructable, just for Madi. When I had it all done I turned on the tree, closed the blinds and went to get Madi from daycare. When we got home I brought her right to the tree and sat her down. She was a little tentative, kept looking at me for permission to touch...which I gave. She went for the jingle bells right off, still does. After she goes to bed at night we search the house for the bells and put them back on the tree so she can find them again in the morning. It's a great game.

 

I absolutely love to watch her process. You can see her wheels spinning as she tries to figure out a new discovery or tackle a new challenge. It's simply amazing. Her balance while walking is much better. She'll toddle around drinking from her sippy cup or her latest thing is to carry around a bag or drag a blanket. Tonight she had a tape measure between her legs like jump rope. In one hand, behind her back and through her legs and up into the other hand and trying to figure out how to get it free from her legs. In the mornings we usually play on the bed for a while and now she's gotten to the point where she can stand and walk on the bed. She doesn't cross it but gets a good 3-4 steps in before she loses her balance. And climbing...oh my goodness is she a climber. If she can't find anything better she'll use you. Madi will virtually be on your shoulders in a couple seconds. And then she grunts because the "ladder" is gone, like it's your fault you're not eight feet tall! The other night Dan neatly folded the laundry and had it laid out on the couch. Madi came along and in less than a minute had shirts and pants in a pile on the floor. She's this little force of destruction and we can't get upset because she's just exploring...and so darn cute.