Destined to be an Engineer

With two parents, two grandfathers and two uncles as engineers we think Rebecca is destined to be one :P Lately when she plays with her bike she sits on the floor, points at the screws (large screws that can be removed to convert it to a bike or a rocker) and says "apart." She wants to take it apart. Then she points to the steering wheel/toy because she knows that comes off too :) Once it's apart she likes to watch you put it back together. She is also becoming very good with nubmers. Yesterday she counted to 6 by herself. And she's almost able to count up to 10. She did 1-6, Mommy added 7, she did 8,9 and Mommy added 10. Counting to 10 before she's 16 months old...on to addition next month...multiplication at 2...algebra at 3? ;) We have a feeling she'll be a wiz at math. Rebecca is also very analytical and precise. She will move a pile of toys from one spot to another...one at a time...putting things just where she wants them. And she notices the tiniest details. On a page full of large pictures she'll notice a little animal in the corner and make its sound. Yesterday she saw the baby on her yogurt container with its hands out and she started clapping and saying "cap, cap." She is also getting very good at her shape sorting bucket. It's amazing how you can see signs of her engineering traits at such a young age. Maybe we'll have to start some science/math activities soon.

Rebecca continues to learn new words and talk more and more each day. Mary has a hard time keeping track of everything that she learns just by noon to tell Justin :p Yesterday we thought Uncle Chuck and Aunt Marcia might stop by, so Mary mentioned their names. Rebecca immediately said "Unca chuck" and "Marcha." They didn't come, but Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Van did. They had been out to eat with Chuck and Marcia and wanted to drop off a chair for Rebecca...an old school chair. So cute. They stayed for a little bit and we looked at the garden. Rebecca repeated just about everything they said. And before they left she said "I you" (I love you) and gave some big kisses. Such a sweetheart.

Rebecca has started spinning...a lot. She'll spin and spin until she falls down :P Then she'll try to bounce. And fall down again. It's pretty funny. She can be very goofy sometimes. Yesterday she wanted to put all of her coats and hats on. Then she looks at her reflection in the oven door. She thinks it's so funny.

She also likes to stand on her stool and look out the front "ginow" (window) and watch the cars go by. And watch the "birdies...chirp, chirp."

Today Justin and Mary are going out for dinner, and Rebecca will stay with a baby-sitter for the first time. We're looking forward to getting out for a bit. Hopefully Rebecca will have fun. She met the sitter on Tuesday and did really well. Hopefully she'll remember her :)