Our vacation is almost over now and I think we are all looking forward to getting home. I will miss my family terribly, but it is really hard not being in our house with our routines. It just seems like every day here takes more energy and patience than I am used to expending daily. I’m quite tired and need to rest after my vacation!

At home I can put her down to sleep and then get my hours of free time but here than is one thing that I cannot do. She is napping great on her own, but at night for some reason the same rules do not apply – I have to stay with her, close to her, or she wakes up constantly. So no free time in the evenings. I think that, above everything else, is hardest right now. I depend on that time. Plus when I am visiting I like to hang out with my brother in the evenings. I have been compromising by bringing her with me and having her sleep on me while we watch movies. Out sort-of works.

Kate is working on crawling still – she’s very close, but trends to fits of pique rather than actually practicing – but her main joy in life is standing up. When we arrived here she could stand and step while holding tightly to our hands. She moved – and fell – like a drunk. Now she is much more solid on her feet, she’s pulling to her feet using toys and furniture, and she’s letting go with some frequency, standing by herself while holding on with just one hand. Unfortunately she then lets go with the other hand and promptly falls over. Given that she is so prone to toppling over and can’t go anywhere without helping hands I pretty much can’t leave her side. It is exhausting. She can be momentarily distracted with a toy, but quickly remembers that siting down is totally lame. From sitting she crawls forward until she remembers that half-crawling is also totally lame, then she simply disintegrates into whiny cries and flailing about and dramatic inching towards me and my hands. I find myself looking forward to her walking, a thought I am sure I will regret shortly.

After living here for over a week Kate has really adapted well to all of the people. Den and I even went out to see a movie, leaving her with my parents for a few hours. When we walked in the door I could hear her babbling and laughing, but of course as soon as she saw my face appear above the stairwell she put out her arms and wailed pathetically. Drama queen. I was unconcerned, as that is the same response I get when I return from ducking downstairs to put on the laundry. My mom said she was quite exhausted trying to keep Kate entertained, but it went well. I may get another night out tomorrow.