Genevieve's First Law of Motion

We took Genevieve to the New York Hall of Science this weekend and she had a great time. We weren't sure if she was too young for the place but there is a section specifically for children her age. While it isn't much different than her play pen at home it does have more toys. After we (read: Carrie and I) grew bored of the children's area we decided to explore the rest of the museum. Genevieve didn't really notice much about the change of scenery except maybe the fact that the "toys" in these exhibits were not easily ripped out of their mountings. She had a great time pushing buttons, flipping switches, staring at lights and pulling levers. I think she probably could have had just as much fun at Home Depot.

I assumed she didn't learn very much at the science museum but apparently I was wrong. Over the last few days she has taught us that a Genevieve in motion likes to stay in motion. She has exhibited this in two distinct ways.

1. Oftentimes we bounce G on our knees while singing a nursery rhyme or in our arms while playing. As soon as we stop bouncing her she will look at us as if we are broken. If we don't resume the bouncing she'll try to kick start us by bouncing up and down herself. If this ruse fails she starts to whine.


2. Genevieve is starting to learn how to jump. I didn't realize this was a learned skill that came in phases. I expected that after a few go's she would be quickly bounding off the ground and landing on her feet. Apparently not. She hasn't even quite mastered the bounding off the ground part. Instead when she attempts to lift off she only manages to unbalance herself so that she falls on her behind. This however is enough for her. She thinks this is the funniest thing ever. I watched her fall on her butt for 40 minutes last night. Fortunately she only does this on the bed or the couch because 10 percent of the time she'll fall on her face. She didn't grow tired of it but it was bed time. I told her no more jumping and took her off the bed. Of course, I violated the first law and as soon as I made her stop she started bawling.

Clearly, one shouldn't try to stop a moving G.