Tuesday, May 26, 2009

flicker

Every once in a while, I get a flicker of a more grown-up version of Betsy, a version that employs a full set of teeth and doesn't have the "boo" tacked on to the end of her name. Those moments are a melding of delight and ...nostalgia? For the present? Can you have nostalgia for the present? Never mind.

  • She loves animals. I'd imagine most every kid does, but Betsy seems a bit obsessive. It kind of scares me, since I'm not really interested in owning any. She particularly adores cats, which is quite unfortunate as her mother is a decided dog person.

  • Mary Elizabeth Shea is not scared, a trait obviously inherited from her father. I suppose it could easily change, but for the present, you can toss that girl as high as you'd like and push that swing for all it's worth -- my baby just giggles and squeals all the more.

  • She is a girl of routine. Don't mess with it.

  • She's outgoing. No, really outgoing. I still don't think you're getting it: really, really, really outgoing. Deena-esque outgoing. Considering her parents, Memaw is the only possible biological source. (She asks strangers in the supermarket to pick her up. She wants the stewardesses in airplanes to hold her. She wanders off with anyone who'll take her. This, too, is scary.)

  • Betsy is snuggly and lovey. She likes to cuddle, especially while you read to her, and throughout the day will randomly walks up to give you a hug. ...Kisses, however, are an entirely separate story.

  • She has an insatiable appetite for language. She loves to have books read to her, and she is always anxious to increase that little vocabulary of hers. Any one or two-syllable word made up of the right consonants is fair game. (My current favorite is "Oh, Geez!")

Of course, the truth is, I have no real assurances of who she'll become. But I certainly enjoy who she is.

9 comments:

Chelsea said...

Have you taken her to the petting zoo at Thanksgiving Point? LJ loves animals too, and that's his favorite place to go!

Kimmel Tippets said...

What a sweet post! I can't believe how big she is! I can just picture her saying, "Oh, Geez!" It is fun to see the similarities and differences between her and Mazie. The outgoing one is definitely the biggest difference. Mazie is so shy she won't go near anyone until she's seen me talking to them for at least five minutes...and even then she'll only stand behind me. I can see how it would be scary, but I'm glad that she enjoys life and shows it! What a cutie!

Svedi Pie said...

I imagine that watching your children find out who they are is one of the many delights of motherhood. :) I love that you write these things about her. I think she'll like reading it one day :)

Carina said...

What a fun little girl she is! I love your posts about all the cute things she does and her personality. =)

The Hulls said...

What a cutie!! I wish I could meet the little outgoing, animal loving diva!

Laura said...

She just sounds so cute and sweet! She also seems to have quite the personality.

Sarah said...

It is so fun to see them develop their own personalities! Betsy is really outgoing which is fun, but also scary, I agree! It's cute how she talks all the time.

Amanda said...

Isn't it fun to get constant peeks of who your child really is? As they grow, that little personality just comes out more and more. It's such an amazing experience to watch it all come together.

Michele Sekaquaptewa said...

Oh, I totally have to hear her say "Oh, geeze." I think I would laugh my head off. That girl is so cute and I believe that she is VERY outgoing and believe even more that she got it from Deena! :) I miss the Betsy. Maybe I should stop by for visit. I am so glad you enjoy her so much. What a great mommy you are!