Pretend Play

I don't know what the child development books say about when a child's imagination blossoms, but I have been so incredibly impressed for MONTHS at Gabi's pretend play, and so I dedicate an entire blog post to it. Gabi got a toy kitchen this summer, and after the cool effect of opening and closing all the doors wore off, Gabi immediately started "washing her hands" with the "water" from the sink.  Then she started filling up cups with "water" for people to drink. She breaks off "pieces" from her plastic food to share with Ethan and her dolls.  And etcetera etcetera etcetera...Gabi can imagine things are not really there, and I'm blown away when it happens, expecting her to still have such a concrete grasp on what's here and not here. I love watching her bloom. 

Becoming a big sister has also helped her take very good care of her dolls and animals from changing their diapers to putting them to sleep to breastfeeding them. We enjoy watching the special moments and have been able to capture a few to share.

Here, Gabi prepares to change Bear's diaper.

This was a lot of fun for me to watch! Gabi set out her baby doll and 2 animals. She brought them each plates, and poured "milk" onto each one for them to eat. She also took a fork and a cup and served them {whatever was in the cup}.

28 years ago, Gabi's mother definitely did the exact same thing at 22-months-old when Gabi's mother became a big sister. Gabi enjoys feeding her babies milk just like her Mommy feeds baby Ethan his milk.

Gabi uses the same strategy as her mommy and lifts her shirt so that baby doll can get to her milk.

Mommy uses a pillow on her lap to help feed baby doll, so Gabi does too.

Gabi dances with baby doll. (nothing strikingly unusual, just cute)

And for your viewing pleasure, a sweet moment with Gabi snuggling her dolls: