Swings, piggybacks and flowers

HG has recently discovered the joy of riding piggyback on her parents. While she seems to be able to hold on by herself, no one is taking any chances, so Abba and Ima hold her hands or torso while she grips tightly with her legs. Her face lit up with glee the first time Abba hoisted her up on his shoulders (well, more accurately around his neck), looking around excitedly at her new, elevated vantage point. She proceeded to play with the top of his head, knocking of his kippa and clinging to the hair atop his head with one hand and holding Abba's hand with the other. Riding Ima was even more fun, as Ima agreed to dance with her at the same time, providing her with a human amusement park ride.

This follows her introduction to swings two weeks ago, when HG and Ima went to the park on a play date with a baby friend and her Ima. A nearby park has a baby and toddler corner with a small slide, sandbox (which HG will not be going near for some time) and baby swings with bars that support infants who can sit up. HG is now just big enough, especially when wearing her "snow suit" coat, to fit these baby swings, and from the beginning she holds on very securely, always with her hands, sometimes with her mouth as well... Ima or/and Abba are always very close by just in case. She enjoys the motion of the swing, but also the observation platform it affords for watching other children at play, folks out walking their dogs, trees and all the other interesting things surrounding that corner of the park.
Today HG not only went on the swing, but Abba also took her on the infant slide, another novelty which HG much enjoyed, though she seemed to especially like sitting atop the slide with Abba supporting her. This girl likes high places.


The playground outing came after a walk around a nearby nature area. Usually HG has dozed off on these nature walks, but today she woke up near the bottom of the hill and was soon demanding to be taken out of her buggy so that she could get a better view. Abba obliged and HG was thrilled to be riding along in Abba's arms, being raised or lowered so that she could get a close up view of the flowers, trees and seasonal almond blossoms. She stared around, taking it all in, catching the movement of a flock of small greenfinches flitting by, or noticing the bees and butterlies darting about the almond blossoms.

HG seemed to take particular pleasure in exploring the different textures of the flowers, leaves and tree bark. She no longer immediately grabs unfamiliar objects and stuffs them in her mouth, rather she now observes closely first, studying the item intently, then reaches for it, feeling its texture and only then does she move her mouth closer to taste it. At this point Abba or Ima whisk her or the object out of reach.


Carrying her along has become increasingly common, at least when out on family outings when there are two parents (and no shopping) to schlep her. As a very fast crawler and a beginner stander, she often gets fed up with being strapped into her buggy, she would much rather crawl (or walk if she could) in the street, while crossing the street, in the supermarket or through a muddy park. Today Abba found a smooth, flat patch of path through the nature area and holding her hands, let her "walk" along for a little way. HG was ecstatic.