Curiosity and Conversations

**Warning. Go on and skip this post. I'm babbling. Using this little blog thing as my journal entry and trying to record a couple cute Livy tidbits. Please don't read on.**

*OK, but don't blame me if you're bored. You can't say I didn't warn ya.*

Little Livy Lulu spends NINE hours at her wonderful preschool center each day. I know she's in great hands, but I feel such a void knowing there is a big aspect of her life I'm not a part of.

I want to know how she interacts with her teachers and friends. How they interact with her. What kind of mood she's in. If she pigs out on the fried foods offered that her mean mommy deprives her of. Does she play nicely with her friends? Does she know the other kids' names and is she building relationships with them? What cute, sweet, and funny moments am I missing out on? Kinda drives me crazy not knowing the details of such a big part of her day. (Actually, it REALLY drives me crazy. I'm just committed to staying upbeat about it all.)

One day, I will HAVE to cut that umbilical cord. But I'm not ready for that yet.

So, I try to get her to fill me in on everything I can.

"Livy, what did you do today?" I ask.

"Play," or "School," she answers. (That is, IF she answers.)

"Did you play with 'Mica?' 'Hannah?' 'Emily?'" Mommy implores.

A very brief, soft, monotone, "Mm."

*Sigh*

But today, I went through my list of questions, and she was in a bit more of a talkative mood. When I asked, "Did you play with 'Gunner?'" she gave me more than a single-syllable response!

"Yeah! He not hit me anynore!!!" She sounded so genuinely excited.

OK, so Gunner hits, I'm guessing. Well, that's fine. It'll help her learn what it feels like when someone hits you. We may refer back to this experience in the future.

I was so happy to get some detail about her day. Though from now on, I'll have a new question on my list..."Did Gunner hit anyone today, Honey?"

Ah, I was able to get some more info about her day. She was happy to tell me about her pirate hat and treasure chest she made. They were adorned with gold coins and precious jewels. She was totally pumped about that.

Then when we went to play at the mall tonight, a little girl came in, and Olivia ran up to her and called her by name. This was a little girl in ANOTHER class at the same preschool. And Livy recognized her AND knew her name AND was excited to run up to her and play with her. So, it looks like she is building friendships with her peers. Phew! Very reassuring.

So that sums up my thoughts on our daily conversations at pick-up time. Now on to the topic of curiosity... (It's a good thing no boys ever read this!)

Olivia the milkaholic has been VERY interested in the process of babies getting milk from their mommies. Probably because we've spent time with precious little friends and cousins, and she's noticed how they take in their milk. When she found out about this new source for milk, she. wanted. on. board. We've had several conversations about how that source is NOT available for her anymore.

Doesn't stop her from trying.

She has stopped me as I've gotten out of the shower a couple times in the past few weeks, and she does not make eye contact as she stares at me. Once she flat out tried to milk me. Whoa, kid. Don't think so.

The other time, she just watched, her wheels obviously turning. "Momma...You have mmmm-ILK?"

"No, Baby. You're not a baby anymore. Now we get your milk from the store. Remember, we get it from cows?"

"Oh." Disappointment fades into a flicker of hope... "You got www-ATER?"

Seriously. What am I, a soda fountain?