My Jane update

Jane surrounded by her adoring aunts and Mommy.

 Jane has her weekly library class today.  That's where she is right now.  I am thinking about her always.  I never get to take her to these classes since they fall on a Wednesday.  DH goes with her and he gives me a full report complete with cell phone pics.  I really wish I could go to this once, just to see her.  She has a ball at these classes.  She smiles at everyone, says hi, and is the most outgoing "baby" there.  She gets down in the middle of the circle and dances, goes up to the teacher to get a really good look at the book they are reading, approaches older kids, placing her hand on theirs and saying a sincere "hi" to them.  I've been told today that she went around and gave all of her toys to the other children, afterwards just sort of staring at them like, "well now I don't have a rattle...why did I give it away?!"  I don't know where she gets this outgoing gene.  My husband and I are certainly not extroverts and when we were children we were exceedingly shy.  I like to think she's this way because we have allowed her to feel safe and loved by the world at large.  But who knows...maybe this is just the way she is and nature beats nurture.  I do know that we have nurtured her in every way possible.  She is constantly showered with love from all of the adults in her life, both morning and night.  She has never been left to wonder if someone is going to care if she cries.  We are always there to reassure her that all is OK. 

[And, by the by, for everyone who told me that co-sleeping and extended breastfeeding would make my child "weak" and co-dependent:  suck it!  Yeah, that's right.  YOU were wrong.  I was right.  I told you so!  ha ha ha]

Since Jane is so social and always wanting to go play with the "babies", we have also enrolled her in a Mommy-and-Me dance class for toddlers 18-36 months.  I am a little nervous about it, and we haven't started classes yet (we will next Monday).  It's incredibly expensive.  $40 a month plus all the initial equipment, including tap shoes.  Yes, tap shoes.  I thought that was a little over the top for an 18-month old, but she absolutely loves her tap shoes.  And I don't have her enrolled in dance because I want her to be a dancer.  I am only doing this because she needs more socialization.  I figure once baby #2 gets here (no, I am not currently pregnant, nor am I trying) we will have to stop these extracurricular activities due to money and time constraints.  She can play with baby brother/sister then.  Of course, if SHE wants to be a dancer, I will do everything my middle-class income allows to make that happen. 

She is not only social, but extremely caring.  She always worries when she sees other people crying.  If she hurts herself and cries she will come and kiss ME.  She hugs me and acts upset when I cry (I don't often cry but I will fake cry to illicit a hug...guilty).  The other night we saw a Haitian baby who was crying and suffering from Cholera on the nightly news.  It was heartbreaking.  Jane couldn't get over it.  She kept pointing to the TV well after the story was over and saying "baby?" in a caring voice.  She was very upset at seeing that baby cry.  Gosh, that moment made me so grateful I have a healthy child and sick for those who do not. 

So Jane is just the greatest.  She's amazing.  She's wonderful.  She's absolutely adorable.  I love her with every breath in my body.  She is the love of my life.  I coudln't imagine my life without her. 

Yada yada yada.  :)