I guess, technically, these babies aren't babies anymore once they start to walk, that's when they become toddlers. I was a little slow on the uptake with that one, since, even though Camille was walking, she was still babbling and grabbing her feet occasionally and smelling so good, smelling like a baby. Lately all that's begun to change, and some recent developments have pushed us over the edge, into toddlerland, where there's no going back.
#1. The Skinned Knee (or The Sweaty Kid Smell)
We're spending a lot of time these days at the playground, there are a couple of good ones near us and we usually visit at least once a day when the weather is nice. Camille, no longer content to just swing a little bit and walk around holding my hand, spends most of her time running (that awkward, straight-leg, arm-swinging, toddler run) between slide, sand box and swing. Once while climbing some stairs at one of the playgrounds, and wearing shorts, she skinned her knee. She was, of course, completely oblivious, way too interested in her climbing to notice - and it's really the tiniest scratch - but still it's a turning point.
This video gives a little glimpse of the knee, if you look close. Also, it's just hilarious. My husband's intense dedication to napping should be noted here (and praised).
This is when we came upon some older kids playing ball with their parents at the park, Camille thought they were so cool. I like a few things about this video: First, if you turn it up you can hear how she's mumbling to herself a little, second I like that you can see her little curlicues at the back of her hat, and last I like how she's climbed up on the rail, to get closer to the action.
#2The Remote Control
Remote controls are generally off limits for Camille, but it's pretty hilarious when she does get a hold of one. She pretty much presses every button, trying desperately (as loyal readers of this blog could predict) to make Babar appear on the screen. This most recent experience with the remote was a little different. She turned on the tv, found a jazz radio station she liked, accidentally muted it and then couldn't get the sound back on. Following temper tantrum (why remote controls are generally off limits for Camille) notwithstanding, these are not the actions of a baby.
#3 The Almost Hourly Wardrobe Change
When Camille was a baby, she would wear the same adorable outfit all the live-long day. Barring a diaper blowout (rare), I would take off the sweet smelling outfit at the end of the day when she'd get her (virtually unnecessary) bath and consider whether it needed washing. Lately she can't stay in the same outfit longer than the next meal. And now when I take off her clothes I have to consider whether they're even fit for the hamper, or straight into the sink to soak out whatever strawberry/beet/butternut squash irretrievable stain is beginning to set in.
Oh yeah, and she started drinking out of a (non-sippy) cup. So, that's the last straw.
But really, who am I kidding? She'll always be my baby.
