Fast learner

i can't believe that my parents are half way through their visit. time goes by so fast! They spent the first half of their visit working hard - really hard: babysitting Ella every day while we go to work (on Ella's spring break) and then, instead of relaxing on the weekend, we made them help with preparations for passover dinner. no rest for the righteous!
today, very symbolically - on Passover, they escaped from slavery to freedom and went to the Art Institute while Ella is back at school. (i hope they don't miss her too much!)

Ella's been learning like crazy the last couple of weeks. she's walking all the time (still assisted), and getting very good at it. she climbs over obstacles (like someone's leg or a toy), and if she's not paying attention she may let go of your hands and stand on her own for a few seconds (because she needs to clap, or hold a toy). she's very determined and knows exactly where she wants to go, and gets really upset if you try to steer her in the "wrong" direction. still, the favorite place to go is follow a scrooge.

my mom is playing new games with her and she's picking up really fast
מחי מחי כפיים, לאלה יש ידיים, אחת שתיים שלוש, ידיים על הראש
"clap hands, clap hands, Ella has hands, one two three, hands on your head". it only took a couple of times practicing, and Ella plays along and puts her hands on her head!

i've heard about baby sign language a long time ago, and though it's controversial i decided to give it a try with some basic words. we're now doing "all done". ella understands and waves her hands every time i say "all done" now, but i think she doesn't yet understand that it means "i'm done doing something" and not "pick me up" :P

pointing: pointing at aba, safta, and noses. and at the red balloon in the book. and piggie.

and... the latest addition, waving bye bye like a pro.

generally speaking, i think she's getting really good at understanding words and connecting the sound of a word with a gesture.


i'm going on a work trip tomorrow - a few nights at a telescope in Chile. i can't imagine being away from Ella for the first time (i already know how much it sucks being away from ben...)