Chaya has been growing up very quickly, and it is amazing to see how her mind works and how she sees the world. On Shabbat she sat in her seat and clapped her hands while we sang and she used her little siddur during the service while we davened. During the Torah service she stood along with us and as soon as she heard the Shema she covered her eyes (like we do when we say the bedtime Shema) and said it along with us. Of course, from her it comes out sounding like "Maaaa.... Maaaaa...", etc.

I had the greatest experience the other day when I called Lindsey from work. Chaya heard Lindsey talking to me and started saying "Abba? Abba?". Lindsey gave her the phone so that she could talk to me. Now, in the past when Chaya was given a phone with a live person on the other end she just held it up to her ear for a few seconds and then gave it back with a weird look on her face. This time, I started asking her my little routine questions: "What's my name? What's your name? How old are you?", which we have been practicing for a few weeks. As soon as she heard the first question she caught on and started responding back to me! I talked to my daughter on the phone for the first time! Of course, you older parents may be saying, "Yeah, well, before long you'll be trying to disconnect that thing from her ear", but I won't let you ruin my little euphoric moment.

Of course, all of this is Chaya trying to copy her Abba and Imah. She will see me leaning on the wall talking to Lindsey and come up right next to me and try to copy my exact stance. She even prayed along with Lindsey the other night during the blessing over the Shabbat candles, complete with eyes covered and "yei dei"s and everything. It is very cute to see her trying so hard to emulate us. It is also humbling and cautioning. May we live up to the challenge of being holy examples for her to follow.

Labels: Chaya