"This is the pillow. This is the pillow."

That's the mid-nap sentence I heard via the baby monitor yesterday. Nora was sitting up and identifying the objects in our bedroom, beginning with those closest to her (she was having a nap in the MamaPapa Bed). "This is the pillow. This is the book. That is the necklace. Mama, turn the fan off." That sort of thing.

Luckily, she went back to sleep fairly easily. That time. She's sleeping again right now, but who knows when she'll wake up and what she'll be saying. She's been waking up more than usual these days due to sleep talking. It's a little surprising her brain hasn't exploded what with all the pronouns, verbs, adjectives and hanging gerunds firing up new synapses. I mean, IT BLOWS OUR MINDS.

(It's okay if I say something particularly stupid if I use capslock, right?)

I've been trying to video some of her accomplishments, but she blocks every attempt by turning her direct attention to the camera. Every time. Until I figure out how to set up the tripod far enough in advance that she stops noticing the camera you'll have to bear with these still shots:

Who eats yogurt with a spoon?

Hardly incognito.

Shortly after this photo, Nora immersed herself in Shilshole Bay. Looking down at an open-eyed, underwater mermaid freaked out this mother, but when I picked her up, her first words were "back in the water."

Just today, plotting at the Volunteer Park wading pool.

...and awake. Today's waking words? "Mama. Mama? I want to go see Mama." Why am I typing instead of going in the bedroom? Because Basil went in. I know, because she just said "Need a ladybug necklace. Papa, get it puhhhleeeeeeease."