Holding Hands and "Good Night" Routine

Henley, Jay, and I made a trip to the mall yesterday afternoon.  While I was busy shopping for a new swimsuit, Jay strolled Henley around to keep her entertained.  I also spent several minutes away from them while trying to decide on which soaps to purchase from Bath & Body Works.  By the time I was finished doing both of these things, Henley was quite ready to spend some time with me again.  As we walked through the mall with Jay pushing Henley's stroller, she held her hand up and indicated that she wanted me to hold it.  So, of course, I did.  Since she didn't want me to let go, we continued walking through the mall with me holding Henley's hand while she was sitting in the stroller.  It was a rather sweet couple of minutes.

For many months, Henley has enjoyed patting other people's heads and saying, "Pat, pat," while doing so.  She even does it to herself.  I think she must have picked it up from reading Mommy Hugs because the mommy monkey hugs her baby with a pat (and I always do a "Pat, pat, pat" while reading the book to Henley).  A few weeks ago, I was getting ready to read Henley a few bedtime stories while rocking her, and Jay was leaving her room for the evening.  We always make a big deal about Daddy leaving and make sure we tell him Good Night.  Well, that night, Henley held out her hand with her fingers balled up into a fist and indicated that she wanted Jay to kiss her hand.  He did, so she kept holding out her fist for him to kiss it over and over until he left her room.  It now is part of her "Good Night" routine with Daddy.  Like the "Pat, pat," I think Henley must have picked this up from Daddy Kisses because there's a part where the daddy squirrel gives his pup a kiss on the paw.  Henley also usually asks about Daddy after he leaves the room, so I'll ask her what he's doing, and she'll reply, "Chores."  During the day when she asks about Jay, I ask her where Daddy is, and she says, "Work."

It's really true that children change so quickly and learn so much during their second year of life.  It's so much fun to watch Henley grow.  I love to hear her talk and to watch her take pride in her accomplishments as she learns new things.  I know that years from now I won't be able to remember everything she does at this point in her life.  I hope that by writing about a few of the things, I'll be able to capture those memories for a lifetime.