Ryan and Juliet

(Photo courtesy of Tim Schapker)

Ryan, Juliet, and I went to the mall for the first time yesterday.  I know!  I can’t believe it either. Anyhoo, there is a play area for kids, both big and small, which I thought would be fun for them. There were lots of kids there and a few Ryan and Juliet’s age (9-14 months). A grandmother and her grandson were near us playing and Ryan, being such a lovable, sweet boy, crawls up on stranger grandma’s lap and hugs her. Of course, the lady was not only astounded but also fell hopelessly in love with Ryan. What was I to do?  I stood part shocked, part not at all shocked, and part thinking “cheater”. The grandson immediately reclaimed his territory and retook Grandma’s lap. Ryan, being a lover, not a fighter, politely crawled off and continued his hard work playing.

Meanwhile, Juliet was working on overcoming her fear of the giant tube in which she could crawl in. Once she did, she did not want to come out. Luckily it was big enough for other babies to crawl around her, and a little bit over her. She’s a lover AND a fighter.