Ari was just 12 weeks old when we took her the first time. She probably won't remember going this time either, but we always go to the same place and we'll take her there many more times in the years to come. This is another tradition that Arianna enriches as part of our family.

We did a more rigorous hike there once before and loved it. The great thing about the place is that you can do an easy walk like we did today, or a challenging hike with lots of elevation changes, but either way, it's a gorgeous place and you really feel surrounded by nature. There are people, but not enough to make it feel crowded.

Arianna was excited to see all the people, dogs, birds, trees, and even a cat. The first thing she did when we put her down to walk around and explore was to bend down and pick up a stick. There were lots of them and she would have inspected each one if we'd let her, so maybe she'll be a nature girl after all!

She's just started to get comfortable with walking and had a bit of trouble negotiating the slight incline of the trail. We couldn't help but chuckle as she tumbled forward a few times. Unfortunately, she got a bump on the head, but she shook it off and kept going like the tough girl she is.

I carried Arianna half way around the reservoir on my back, then she decided to make us proud by walking for a while on her own.

Ari had fun playing in the leaves; I think she likes the Fall as much as her parents!

Saturday night, Ania and I went out for a date for the first time in a while. We had a reservation for our anniversary dinner last year at Bistro Aix &mdash the place we had our first date & got engaged — but Arianna was born that night, so we decided to go there, and had a great evening out. We needed to get out by ourselves, and we knew she was in good hands with Grandma Wanda. Of course, we had to say goodbye to Arianna before we left:

We've all been enjoying the gorgeous Summer weather lately, and Sunday, the four of us went for a walk at Lafayette Reservoir and enjoyed being outside in the sun.

For the first time, Arianna stood up on her own from seated position in her crib, so we lowered her mattress all the way. It seems so low! It's amazing to consider that she's grown so much that we have to do this, but sad that it means she's one step further away from being a little baby. At the same time, this is a wonderful sight first thing in the morning:

We took Ari swimming again and she still likes being in the pool.

Arianna has discovered the joy of laughter, and she's started to laugh spontaneously to make us laugh, and it always works. It's adorable and wonderful to have her communicate with us in yet another new and joyful way.

Milestones & Metrics

• Stood up on her own from seated position in her crib (8 Aug)
• We lowered crib mattress to lowest setting
• Started to laugh to make us laugh
• How Arianna looks this week:
  

Theeeerree's Arianna!

Ari really likes peek-a-boo.

I thought the crying when I left was something emotional, but my goodness, now Ari can give hugs! Words just aren't relevant when it comes to describing that feeling. It's the cutest thing ever; she tilts her head toward me, trying to rest it on my shoulder while I'm holding her. I could hold her like that forever — this is truly one of the rewards of parenthood!

She's started pointing distinctly and directly at what she wants. Before, she was putting her arm out and leaning in the direction she wanted to go, but this is different. She's very specific and precise, and she uses a single finger. She engages you, then locks her eyes on her target, so you'll follow her gaze. It's like she's got a laser pointer! As with the Daddy Taxi, Ari is simply not hesitant to involve others in helping her achieve what she wants. I like that she's so inclined to pursue her desires.

Sometimes she puts pointing together with the "surprise noise", when she wants to direct or catch your attention to show you something. I am dying to know what she would say when she shows me stuff! As it is, we talk about it with her, both to help her know we acknowledge what she's doing, and to start helping her identify, explain, and put what she's showing us in context.

The pointing is especially apparent when we're feeding her; she'll point to the cup of water until we give her some. She doesn't seem to have learned the signs for "drink" or "water" yet, but if we make them, she'll turn and look right at the cup, and she already knows exactly where it is. "Does Arianna want some water?"

She's really getting physically strong and dextrous now. Ania had a good idea to hand her individual pieces of fruit, vegetables, cereal, etc., in addition to her normal scooping and picking off the tray or plate. The idea is to give her more practice specifically with the pincer motion, which it seems she only just developed, but now has all but mastered. She can move, rotate, twist, and roll her body at will, and proto-crawls when she sees that as the most efficient transportation.

The notable thing is the facility she has with all these movements; she's building up a repertoire of them and has some down pat. She can push buttons and operate switches on toys that used to frustrate me because I thought they required too much physical strength. (She got the concept and had the dexterity, just not the strength.) There are still some she can't push, but the list is getting smaller fast.

Grandma Wanda is leaving soon, so we went to the Build a Bear Workshop and she made a special teddy bear for Arianna, with a recording of her voice, so Ari can hear her any time she wants.

Arianna adds so much beauty to our lives!

Milestones & Metrics

• Giving us hugs
• Sat up on her own from lying on her back
• Pointing distinctly at what she wants
• Showing us things
• How Arianna looks this week: