Veeka turns 2 1/2

Yep, it's been six months the moppet had her birthday party. Her latest accomplishment: figuring out zippers. Now she can get into Mommy's purse! Hopefully we can get started on potty training; at this point she should be ready for it but as you all know, forcing the issue is not helpful. Anyone with ideas please send them here. She was somewhat potty-trained at the orphanage so I am going to do what they did; after every meal, she will have a session on that little pink seat. Hopefully she will get the hint. It's been suggested I pour water down her little throat to, um, speed the process up in terms of it coming out the other end. Well, trying to make Veeka eat or drink anything she doesn't want to makes for one glorious food fight.
Her little attention span is slowly growing. She's taking more of an interest in crayons and coloring books instead of just tossing the crayons across the table. She also opening books on her own and wanting me to sing the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" to her. "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" is also a popular choice.
I met a woman today at the post office who suggested that Veeka's slowness in talking may have to do with her tongue muscles not being as developed as kids who had more time breastfeeding or with a bottle. So it's just harder for her to shape the words. Sooooo, I bought some lollipops for her today to build up that muscle! That's the kind of exercise Veeka likes.
The photo is of Veeka charming one of the Shrinemont gardeners.