Closer to standing...

Which sounds, if you think of it, like a good name for a college rock band.

Anyway, I was at work trying to figure out what my new bus schedule is since TriMet is cutting back on bus service to save money, and I called home to tell Drew I'd be late. OH MY GOD! he said suddenly. Turns out that Rachel had leaned on his thighs while he was sitting down, and pulled herself to a standing position all by herself! She couldn't support it for long, but just the fact she did it was amazing.

The other day I was reading from "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" -- a classic that Drew remembered from childhood -- and I was at the very beginning, when the egg that is on a leaf opens up and a caterpillar bursts out with the sunrise. As I read from that page, which has a big sun on it, Rachel said a decisive "No!"

"Really, Rachel?" I said, laughing. "OK, we'll tell it your way."

She proceeded to grab the small, square book and gum away. In some ways, she is not as old as we think.