Learning the mechanics of the spoon

You wouldn't think a spoon would be that tricky, but eating with a spoon (or "poon," as Carmela calls it), actually requires a number of coordinated tricks. First, you have to shovel whatever it is you're eating — in this case, let's say it's applesauce (or "sauyaus") — into the bowl of the spoon. Then you have to lift the spoon by raising the arm laterally. Then you have to simultaneously bend the elbow, bringing the spoon to the mouth, and rotate the wrist to keep the spoon from angling toward the body, spilling your applesauce down your chest and into your lap. Carmela's been practicing and practicing with her spoon, and she's actually getting pretty good at it. Some things are easier than others, though, so Mom's limiting our experimentation to applesauce and yogurt, and steering clear of soup for now.

Visiting the chickens

Carmela has some neighbors who have a small bevy of chickens, and Carmela loves to visit them. She says, "Hi Ladies!" to greet them, and they cluck at her in response. She likes to stick her fingers through the chicken wire, which always freaks Mom out a little because she's afraid Carmela will get a finger pecked, and then won't like them anymore, but so far it hasn't happened. Maybe Mom and Daddy will get some chickens, and then Carmela can feed them, too.

Carmela's first mud puddle

What better way to enjoy a long, boring, very rainy day than by splashing in a big mud puddle at the park?

Mommy's helper

What a helper! In these pictures, Carmela is wearing an adorable little smock sewn by her Great-Aunt Kim. It has pockets, buttons, and Velcro. Carmela's sold.

Watching E-L-M-O

Carmela loves Sesame Street, and goes bananas for Elmo. In fact, she usually refers to the show as Elmo, and will run around chirping, "Elmo? Elmo? Elmo? Elmo?" so that Mom knows she would very much like to watch some Sesame Street. When Elmo's World* comes on, she jumps up and down, claps, and grins like a fool. She likes it so much that Mom and Daddy usually have to spell it, or call the show "The Street" so Carmela isn't beside herself if it's not immediately put on. Carmela knows Elmo and Abby, of course (they're her favorites), and she also knows Gordon, Big Bird, Ernie, and Bert. When we do relent and put on some Elmo, usually in the morning and in the afternoon while Mom and Daddy make breakfast and dinner, Carmela likes to get into her comfy chair, often with Baby and Blanket, her favorite companions.

* For those not in the know, Elmo's World is a segment in Sesame Street that is very much like Pee-Wee's Playhouse. All of the things in Elmo's house — his desk drawer, window shade, TV, and computer — have personalities and bounce around at his command, and a clown character named Mr. Noodle engages in buffoonery as well. Each episode has a theme, like dogs, or hair, or babies, and Elmo spends the segment learning about the theme, asking kids about it, asking Mr. Noodle about it, and watching a TV show about it.

Cold winter morning

It was pretty cold a couple of months ago, but Carmela went anyway with Mom and Daddy to see the Olympic Sculpture Park. It was great! There were lots of sculptures to sit and climb on and smack with our hands, and there was a long stretch of gravel walkway that Carmela enjoyed running along. But the best part of all was sipping hot cocoa with Mom and Daddy and watching the trains go by afterward.

Cleaning her plate

When Mom says Carmela is a great eater, she's not kidding! This tortellini dinner was plate-licking good!