Maia's Brain

As of late, Monday night has been swim night for Maia and I while Cara teaches. Last night, before swimming, Maia surprised me.

We were out on the driveway playing with her new sidewalk chalk when I asked her "Maia, would you like to go swimming?" She shot her hands up in the air (like she often does when she is excited) and said "Swimming, Yeah!" which sounds more like "Dooey, Yeah". She stood up, grabbed her sidewalk chalk and made for the front door of the house.

I decided to see where she would take herself. I opened the door for her and followed her as she went upstairs. I continued to follow her into her room where she proceeded to walk towards her changing table. At the changing table, she opened one of the drawers, reached into the top shelf and pulled one of her swimming diapers out. She placed it in my hand and repeated "Swimming, Yeah!".

This surprised me for a number of reasons. First, she has the brain power to know what logistics are required to go swimming -- we have to get her into a swimming diaper and into a swim suit before we go to the pool. She also knew where to find the swimming diapers, which she never has a clear view when I put them on her -- she is on top of the table when I take them out of the door.

This type of thing has been happening a lot lately. For instance, I asked Maia how many pacifiers she wanted before going to bed tonight. She thought for a moment and said "Two Pacis!" (she is used to going to bed with three). I gave her two pacifiers and she went to bed.

Last night, it was time for a snack. I asked her if she would go to her high chair. She did as I asked, and proceeded to climb herself into the chair! All by herself!

This type of brain development is just amazing to me. Imagine if you are trying to learn a new skill (Judo, for example). That skill requires you to learn both mentally and physically. You practice, practice, practice and get better over time. Now, imagine your brain is gaining new "powers". You are getting stronger both mentally and physically... kind of like a superhero. The next thing you know, your judo skills are black-belt and you didn't really need to try that hard. I think that is what it is like to be a toddler.