Fears

We all have fears or phobias. Mine are fire and deep water.

Rachel shares my fear of fire. That's a healthy fear.

Thunder also rattles her. Again, understood. I have to remember to tell her what my father told me, that it's a bunch of guys bowling up there.

Like I was at her age, she doesn't like sleeping in the dark. Like Motel 6, we leave the light on for her.

She has two other fears I never experienced. One is a fear of someone getting left behind in an elevator or being caught in the door. Whenever we get in an elevator, she urges everyone to get in quickly, almost in a panic.

We think this fear arose from my uncle's assisted living home. One day, as the 87-year-old slowly made his way out, Rachel was on one side of the doors and I was on the other as the doors tried to close repeatedly. I fear she'll be scarred by that for some time.

Rachel also fears escalators. Watch that first step, it's a doozy. We were at the mall today and she screamed in panic a couple times as it drew near, demanding that I pick her up, which I did. But it was hard not to smile as she yelled twice, "I'm starting to freak out here!" Poor baby! I love my child.

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Speaking of the mall, she was able to read "Back to School Sale" on a sign today. Her reading skills are really picking up.

She remains a rather rambunctious child at times. All of a sudden at dinner tonight, she headbutted me in the nose. It was raining outside, but the stars came out early inside!

And there has been a second incident of the chocolate eyeliner as described in another entry below. This time she diversified to a Hershey's Kiss.

Mommy wears makeup rarely. She is a proponent of the natural look. Rachel is going to be into makeup, shoes and accessories. She made a beeline to Stride Rite today. I'd better start saving money now!