Brian flew home from San Francisco last night. At the time, moderate snowfall was predicted for our area but as usually happens in the Pacific Northwest, nothing materialized except a half-inch of nothin’. So he arrived home safely and on time, and Freya was so happy. At one point she was just sitting on the floor staring at him, a huge grin on her face. Kona did her usual Total Freak Out that she does whenever he returns from a trip.

While he was away, we went to Goodwill with Christina and Evan and found a few awesome cheap toys and books, in particular a pair of plastic maracas and a tiny tambourine. I love giving her little musical instruments to play with. We are totally starting a band.

We found three books for 79 cents each, and last night I offhandedly asked Freya to show Daddy her new books, and she went over to the pile of assorted toys and books on the floor, and one by one brought over the new ones we got on Tuesday. Wow, we said. Did she really understand what I said? It’s hard to tell, but this happens fairly regularly, where she will seem to get what I am saying.

For example, last night during her dinner, she was craning her neck to see the TV because Wheel of Fortune was on, though I wasn’t watching it. I asked Freya, “what comes on after Wheel of Fortune?” She replied with the usual sound and dance she does when we tell her it’s time to watch Jeopardy!, her favorite show. Huh. Also she has started trying to sing the theme from Jeopardy!, the only real reason she likes the show anyway. She sings the first three notes, “doo doo doo” along with a side-to-side hip sway that is her Final Jeopardy! dance. Har.

It’s so cliched to talk about how very smart my baby is, so let’s move on.

Food: she is starting to move beyond her texture-phobia, and will now eat small pieces of cheese, buttered wheat toast, cereal, and soft fruits. She has also eaten brown rice with cheese, and yesterday at the supermarket she sampled some salmon with me. I was super proud of her for that one. We’re progressing slowly but surely. I think going at her pace means she’s more likely to have a variegated palate. She still primarily does eat purees and yogurts and of course mommy’s milk, but I make sure she eats something that must be chewed every day.

Toys and books: She’s starting to be fond of dress-up, in that she will wear her plastic bangle and plastic necklace around the room, and the other day put on her sunhat by herself and wore it for a little while. Other than that takes no interest in what she’s wearing, that I can see. She looooves her books and can identify them all by name, so if we’re on the couch and I ask her to go get I Am A Bunny or The Very Hungry Caterpillar, she always finds the right one. She’s also really into her play food, kicking balls around the room, and trying to play fetch with Kona, who always gets a bit too enthusiastic about it.

Sleeping: Still not sleeping through the night, which is not something I have tried to force into her like most American parents do. She wakes a few times to nurse very briefly. I think she’s in a growth spurt because she’s been having some heavy dream activity, resulting in some fussiness when she wakes, and also grabbing at her legs/ankles. Growing taller hurts, poor baby.

I’d like to take her out to see the snow, but it’s so pathetic, less than an inch, and it’s bitter cold outside. I’m thinking wait until post-nap. We talk about spring and summer a lot. I tell her how we won’t have to bundle up anymore, how we will be able to play in the park for longer, and so on.

My iPod got here on Tuesday and I LOOOOVE it. It’s like a sleek beautiful slab of black glass… I named it “Iris.” Yes, Iris the iPod. To go along with Katie the Kindle. It’s so sweet. The first time I have ever had a music player that fit ALL my music with plenty of room leftover for more. Plus it has a camera, video, apps, all that jazz. Basically everything except a phone. Did I mention I love it? I do.

I think that’s everything. It’s been a week since I updated. Oh, I finally made chocolate covered pretzel sticks. They are like Pocky, except with salt and homemade. They are yummy. I also soaked some chickpeas after procrastinating for days on end. They are great in a Greek salad, and of course, much better than canned!