*Olivia*
The next day, I lay on the floor of the living room after lunch with Dahlia and Elio while Gio worked upstairs.
One of my many baby books said a focus on fine-motor skills in the first year was vital for the developing infant, so I'd spent weeks researching and buying child-safe paints. They were finally all here, so I'd moved the furniture to the side, rolled out some butcher paper, and allowed Elio his first brush with the world of art in the form of a huge finger-painting canvas. Within minutes, he was covered in every color of paint, making me grateful I'd changed him into a romper he was growing out of.
He scrawled a big green circle and pointed to it enthusiastically. “Mama! Moo!"
I smiled. “Moon."
Without all his teeth, he still struggled with ending consonants.
Dahli
