Mimimimi

Babykins and I spend approximately 50 hours each week having intense together time.  As a result, I'm always on the look out for new and exciting ways to keep her entertained.  Along with the many toys and books Babykins has, almost every plastic kitchen tool I own has served as a play thing, as well as boxes of tissues, a roll of toilet paper, and many piles of laundry.

Last week, as I was lying on the floor letting Babykins crawl back and forth over my legs, I suddenly flashed back to a happy memory of a childhood game.  I remember being 4 or 5, sitting on the floor next to Grandpa P, and he would pretend to fall asleep, closing his eyes and fake snoring, "Mimimimi."  I would laugh, shake his shoulder, and call his name (which at that age I knew only as "Grandpa" - I was still years away from realizing he had an actual name) trying to wake him up.  After a few seconds he would suddenly open his eyes wide, and the game could begin all over again.

Although Babykins is only 10 months old, I thought I'd give the game a try with her.  I waited until she was looking at me, closed my eyes, and said, "Mimimimi."  I fake snored a few more times, then peeked an eye open to see her response.  She was sitting there smiling, flapping her arms in her "I'm excited" motion.  I closed my eye, snored again, and felt her little hand on my face.  When I popped open my eyes, she sat back and laughed in delight.

It's become a favorite game for Babykins.  I can lie down on the floor, close my eyes, say "Mimimimi," and she'll come crawling from anywhere in the room to push on my face and wake me up.  Thank you, Grandpa P, for the happy memories and new game inspiration.

She Comes from a Land Down Under

Our little Babykins is Australmerican - half Australian, half American.  After 7 months of living in the U.S., we have taken her on her first trip to Australia.  On Friday we packed up our gear (all 3 of us packing into just 2 carry-ons and 2 personal items, thanks very much) and boarded Hawaiian Airlines for a 10 hour flight.

Here I have to admit...Babykins was by far the best baby on the plane!  She had a minor melt down toward the end of the flight, but after 10 straight hours stuffed into small seats and breathing recycled air, I was about ready to melt down, as well (although I managed not to cry).

Since arriving, she's met many of Hubbykins friends, along with new aunts, uncles, cousins, and her great-grandma.  She's been having a lovely time introducing herself to a new set of adoring subjects.  Who knew it could be so wonderful to have a set of, as Auntie MO would call them, minions on both sides of the globe.

This taste of travel has given Babykins a new inkling of her ability to slowly dominate the world, one cute smile at a time.  With the U.S. and Australia thoroughly conquered, she's starting to eye up small European countries.  Watch your back, Kate Middleton - Babykins has discovered it's nice to be Queen :)