As we made our way through uncharted territory, we were slowly enveloped in a misty fog that was brewing over Crown Hill from the Puget Sound. Along with the early darkness it was quite mysterious. Luckily we were right around the corner from our local Starbucks. Estella and I sought refuge in its warmth, I supplemented that with a Peppermint Mocha, which is very tasty and pretty to see, but isn't much of a coffee drink as the flavor and whipped cream mask the beans. It did look exactly like the advertisement photo, however. While I drank nearly 1000 calories, Estella sat on my lap and for nearly half an hour we played and I observed her.
She is asserting ever more her individual will, by reaching for things she sees, not being interested in everything I give her and interesting herself in play and what she sees independent of me. The walk and the play time were tiring and she fell asleep in the baby carrier just a block into the trip home. I held her forehead gently to keep her neck still while I walked briskly through the dark and misty night. We arrived home in between piano lessons, so I snuck in and put her to sleep in her crib. She just kept on sleeping, her mind racing through all the flood of input she gathers each day as she acquaints herself with the world. I am just so thrilled to be there to help guide and protect and care for her in these early months and the following years.