My daughter loves monkeys!

Hopefully I can type fast so Inara doesn't come and start slamming on the keyboard. It's official: Inara loves monkeys! She got a small monkey doll from Uncle Jason way back, and she's always had to sleep with this little one. There's a bedtime ritual involving mommy and daddy giving monkey hugs and then offering up one of Inara's pacifiers to monkey. It's so cute. The other night Shawn and I went in to say goodnight, and she was on all fours butt up in the air with what looked like a monkey coming out her butt. It was hilarious, but the point is she's always got monkey close to her in the crib. For Christmas, Kristi's parents, Tom & Sandy, got Inara a large Curious George doll. She now carries this doll all around. She has even had to start bringing him to nap with her. Yesterday, she had a bit of a fall. (I was cleaning the downstairs shower, and she came charging into the bathroom. I think she thought the glass door was still closed because she leaned forward and fell into the shower. It all happened so fast that I couldn't stop her. She has two bruises on her shin now from where she fell on the metal railing at the base of the shower. Jacked!) Anyways, after the spill, she was, of course, screaming crying. I picked her up and walked into the living room where I saw George. She instantly grabbed for him and hugged onto him. I think George has become her comfort toy. During naps, after naps, everywhere she goes practically, George is in town. It's too funny.

The other big news is Inara is starting to say more words. Last night she said milk at dinner when I asked her if she wanted water or milk. I was so shocked! It was milk, clear as day. I cheered, and then she kept saying it. After dinner, she and I sat down and started chatting away. I've been practicing names with her, and she's getting good at them. She says baby Jack very well and has started saying (her versions of) Spanky, Erin, Max, Avery (which is a hearty A) and, more importantly, Pop. I got a video of her going through the names so everyone can hear her. I'm so proud of my little girl. Hopefully, someday Shawn will get all the pictures and videos from December transferred for everyone to see. We have a ton, so I'm urging him to get them up by this weekend.

I'll write more about Inara's adventures later today hopefully if she takes a solid nap. Gotta go since she's pulled out all her jammies from her dresser drawer and is now walking around with an old pair of Shawn's reading glasses. If it's within her reach, the kid will play with it. I do love watching her try to put glasses on, although I'm worried about her poking her eye out. Oopsy!