The Amazing Adibaby!

Adi has been growing and accomplishing new feats at breakneck speed! She is really awesome.
First of all, take a look at this:




Is this cool, or what? At only two years old, Adel is drinking from a cup on her own with little or no spilling. I can't take credit for teaching this to her, though. I'm not too keen on having to change her clothes each time she creates a shower. But the boys have no such reservations, so they casually leave their cups of water at the table's edge. And since height is one thing Adel isn't delayed in, she gets lots of drinking practice.

Let's study this photo from three months ago for illustration:

This was one of the first times Adel got up on a step stool... but certainly not the last! It is now a daily occurrence at our house. But as you can tell by her face in this photo, this was an exciting novelty! (Also note the mess on my dresser which I tried to make less noticeable by changing the photo to black and white. And the fluffy cloth-covered tushie. Aww.)

Adel's vocabulary has been growing exponentially.
First she learned how to say "no." Actually, she says, "Uh-uh." This was a big breakthrough, because before she'd answer yeah to everything, even if she meant no. Now "uh-uh" is a large part of her vocabulary. One time I asked her if she wants Randi to come (her physical therapist). Adi said, "Yeah!" Then I asked her if she wants Randi to make her walk. "Uh-uh!!" was the answer I got in return.

Recently Adi started saying, "Up." Old news, right? Wrong.
She'd say up. I'd give her something from "up" that I imagine she wants. No dice. I'd pick her up. More screaming ensued. I would exhaust all possibilities of  "up" until we were both in tears. To calm her, I'd offer something to eat and drink, and she would take the offering. This went on a bunch of times, until I'd just offer her a calming snack before the "up" escalated (pun intended.)
Eventually it began to click in my mind. Could up mean "cup"?? Yes! Yes it does! I taught her a sign for "drink." So now it goes like this:

Adi: Uuuup! UUUUPPP!
Me: Adi, do you want a drink?
Adi: Yeah!
Me: So don't scream. Tell me "drink."
Adi: makes sign for drink or more, depending on her mood
Mama: provides drink

There is lots more to tell you about this Amazing Adi, but I'll save some for later.
I'll leave you with this photo montage of Adi's incredible reach and all it entails:







Notice anything different about Adi in these photos?
She's wearing PINK! Not a little, but ALL PINK. This was probably the first time I dressed Adi in pinkpinkpink... down to the very socks.