February was a good month in Taya-land! As she's got more robust, her mommy & daddy have been less afraid to let her do things (e.g., bounce) and to bounce her around a little ourselves.
Here she is sitting in a V on Daddy and loving it.
Even at the most inopportune times (e.g., when we're trying to get her to sleep), we just can't help smiling at each other.
Taya might beat herself up (here she's sporting a scratch wound on her right cheek), but her mommy & daddy shower her with kisses.
She's got grins to make the heart melt.
February was hoppin' good in no small part because we finally got out Taya's bouncer. At first, Taya wasn't quite sure what to make of it.
She was quite pensive at times, in fact.
But it did not take long for her to figure it out. At first, though, there seemed to be a physiological connection between her tongue-wagging- and bouncing muscles. Check out this video of Taya panting and bouncing joyfully.
Taya also got plenty of tummy time, including on the top floor, where the sun streams in even in winter (OK, occasionally then!). How else can we prepare her for our trip to Hawai'i in May? ;)
We've been amazed at how well Taya can pay attention and track the camera (not so much for the passport photo shoot, mind you).
Like a blackbird, Taya tries to mimic the sounds we make. The other day, she began copying Ljuba's cough. Here she is imitating my splutter-kiss, which she loves on her belly.
Taya also loves horseplay--being held upside down, spun around, and here in this video, dropped on her back (it's another story how I discovered this!).
Taya has loved these chimes ever since her first days, when she looked up at them and hit them by accident. Now that she can combine the chimes with the bouncer, well, NOW she knows joy!
Taya also has some moments of quiet. Occasionally!
I love watching Ljuba and Taya play together. Sorry there aren't more pics of them both--this is one of the precious few where Lj's eyes are open!
Back in the bouncer, (in this video) Taya meets her shadow and is mesmerized by it.
Another gleeful combination: bouncing and rattling! If only she could master the hat-trick (bouncing, rattling, and mouthing) without bashing herself in the head. :)
In this video, Taya shows off another bounce technique and some other new noises (not sure what she's imitating with those!).
Another moment of quiet, here watching serenely from her bundled vantage point (in the stroller).
Taya closed out the month by meeting her Auntie Chinook (plus Jeremy and Tepita), who was fresh back from cruising in the South Pacific (the wall is reflecting our feelings, green with envy).
