19 months

Due to a wretched flu that hit us all and a week-long vacation to Indiana, I haven't had a chance to work on the monthly update. Aside from the debilitating flu, the last month has been a blast. Kumi's really talking now, identifying so many things around her and in books. She has full conversations by herself and lately she's been calling me "Mommy" instead of "Mama". Dada is still Dada though. She seems much more like a little girl than a baby nowadays, and the other day MF sounded a little sad when he said "she doesn't smell like an infant anymore".

We had a wonderful time in Indianapolis. Kumi was really comfortable with all her relatives (she quickly mastered "Grama" and "Grapa", scoring huge with the grandparents) and loved every minute of the visit. There was snow -- something she wasn't too thrilled with -- and a mind-bogglingly fun trip to the Children's Museum and a drive to southern Indiana and lots of family time. It's been three days since we've been back and she still says "Grama?" occasionally.

I've also been busy with illustration and sewing/knitting/crafting projects these last few weeks. My goal is to soon start posting those on the blog as well. Mostly, I dream of totally purging our apartment and re-decorating...or at least re-upholstering. I made a Flat screen cozy, which inspired me to attempt a slipcover for our tattered sofa. Alas, the material is still folded and collecting dust on said sofa. Maybe next month...I'll have more updates on the trip and crafty things to share.