Lately I've been able to watch as Olivia really develops socially. This is a hilarious process.
A few months ago, she would play around kids, through kids, and next to kids, but play time was her own thing. Next she started noticing kids her own size, and just watching them. This meant for a few weeks every time we went to the park she would pretty much just wander around staring at others, not really playing at all.
The next few steps all happened around the same time, but led to me realizing I should step in a little more when I caught her kissing a little boy in the mall play area today! She usually "meets" someone by walking up as close as she can get, totally in their personal space, and not saying anything. After the other person makes the next move, she considers them friends, and quickly points to me and yells "MOM". I take this to mean she is very advanced and already introducing me to all of her new friends :).
She loves to give hugs, but isn't a huge fan of receiving them. She also recently started kissing other people. I watch this pretty carefully, mostly to make sure that the other moms are okay with how close she is getting. She has only kissed a few kids, but today the little boy was actively involved in the kissing as well!
She still spends most of her time in her own world when we are with other kids, but it's so fun to see her interest in other kids, both older and younger, and how she chooses to react when they are friendly, mean, or anything else. Just another fun moment as a parent.
That's so awesome :) You'll love being able to tell her this when she's older!
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