The beginning of April brought Ziva's first Easter egg hunt. We only had to point out one egg to her and she knew what to look for. She was so funny "egg hunting"; when she found an egg, she would point to it and "tell" us she found it. She wouldn't actually put it in her basket until we gave her "permission".
We celebrated Ziva's baptism and her 3rd birthday with family and friends on the 3rd. And just as we predicted (we know our daughter!), after the minister put water on her head three times, she said, "More!". She loves water and she loves more of anything!
Although Ziva turned 3, her birthday was more like that of a first birthday since she had never celebrated her birthday before. The singing, the candles, the gifts- all new to her. She didn't quite know what to make of it all! On her birthday (the 5th), Scott and I sang to her again and put candles on her cupcake again...and we could tell that she remembered from 2 days prior.
We are simply amazed at how much English Ziva knows. There really doesn't seem to be much that she doesn't understand! Almost daily we see evidence of her growing vocabulary. And although her only word is still "more", we are seeing growth in her communicating abilities. She is making many more sounds than before and "talks" almost non-stop.
Ziva absolutely loves songs! I will ask her if she wants to sing and then I will take "requests" from her. She knows the actions for 6-7 songs and she will make her requests known by doing the first action to the song. One of her favourite songs is "Skinnamarink-ee-dink" and last week she started to do the actions for "I love you". It is the absolute sweetest! She will do these actions throughout the day, many times. And the best part is, she says a sound for each word!
In the last month, we have found Ziva to be much more snuggly. She asks to be picked up a lot and enjoys being held. I got myself a baby sling and she loves going in it. She has also started to snuggle with her stuffed animals. She has a whole basket full of them which she has ignored until recently. Now, she will hug them or want one in her arms when we are reading bedtime stories. We put a teddy in her crib at night too, and she doesn't throw him out anymore! Three months ago, Ziva didn't want to be held or snuggled with at all (she always struggled to get down), so we are very happy with this change in her.
Ziva continues to be the biggest copy cat, which can prove to be quite comical. And whatever we do, she also wants to do. So this means that when I put on make up, she wants make up on (chapstick isn't make up, right?). When Scott puts on his deodorant, she points to her underarm and asks for some. When I sit on the step to put my shoes on, she just has to sit next to me and put on a shoe (mine); she will even try to tie it! We are learning that she has a very good memory!
We still experience most of our challenges when we are out of the home. Ziva continues to find "group situations", like a shower or a party, to be overwhelming. She literally runs non-stop and gets "wired". Once home, it is difficult to settle her down and get her to sleep.
Ziva continues to be very "grabby" when we are in stores. I am "safe" if I stick to the centre of the aisle...but if she can't reach anything on the shelves, she'll grab the nearest person! I have gotten a few odd looks...
At home, Ziva is still struggling with how to "play" and attend to a task. If I am busy doing something, she simply sits or lays and does nothing. She has no idea how to play independently. When we play with her, we limit the toys to one and we have to constantly try and keep her attention. We are in the process of trying to set her up with an occupational therapist who will be able to address some of these needs.
Wow! This has become a long blog entry! Thanks for reading...and now, enjoy the photos!
Ziva's first Easter. Dressed all pretty in her dress from Ukraine.
Ziva's favourite place to sit in the kitchen...on our compost bucket, with an arm on the garbage can. It is the perfect size for her!
Ziva cracks herself up!
April 27th; 3 month anniversary of Gotcha Day. And although the doctor's official measurements say she hasn't grown at all in three months, we do think she looks older!
Ziva loves to put on mommy's running shoes!
Ziva's baptism.
Ziva's baptism day.
Enjoying a birthday cupcake.
With all that running around, a fall was inevitable...she is just the right height to catch the corner of a table. So much for going to the photographer this week for her 3rd birthday photos!
Another cupcake with candles on her birthday.
That cupcake was great too! Ziva loves her sweets!
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