Wednesday, July 16, 2008

we interupt this activity for hand identification

My daughter has finally discovered her hands. Oh, she's been able to use them for months; they are her primary system for getting things in her mouth (like the carpet she was chewing on today, but that's another story). But in the last few days, while using her sippy cup, or manipulating the bottle, or picking up a toy, she suddenly stops whatever she is doing, and stares at one of her hands, watches it move a bit, opens and closes it, and seems utterly fascinated by the tiny, perfect movements they make.

I too am fascinated by the perfection that comes in such a small package.

She then remembers that she has things to do, and continues along in her pursuit of whatever. Soon, like most people, she'll take for granted that she has hands and all the amazing things they do, but right now, she notices, and is amazed - as she should be.

[As for the carpet, she rolled over to where the carpet meets the linoleum, and found a part where the connection is open, and picked at the carpet, and got some yarn in her hands, then her mouth. I wasn't fast enough to stop it, or even sure that it had happened (I caught her at the end of the carpet excursion). I swiped two or three times, found nothing, so let it be. But ten minutes later when she was still chewing, I looked a little deeper. To the dismay of both of us, I had to reach into the back corner of her mouth, deep in the cheeks, and pull out a wet slimy ball of carpet. But, in all honesty, I think she was happier once it was gone.]

1 comment:

Cyndie said...

Gack! (About the carpet, not the hands.)

Victor swallowed a small shoelace when he was about 4 months old. I noticed it was missing after his nap one day, and found it the next morning in you-know-where.