A good book...

I noticed the other day that one of Lauren's favorite things to do is to grab one of her books, climb into the recliner and read. Well, read as well as a 19-month-old can. I think she has learned this behavior from me. I always have a book in my hand. From a young age, I loved to read. In fact, I used to be able to read a small paper book in a  few hours. Now, of course, it takes a little longer.
It continues to amaze me the things she picks up and so quickly. If I am in the kitchen doing dishes, she is right behind me trying to put a plate in the dishwasher. If I am collecting clothes for the laundry, my little helper is right behind. The book reading is the latest in a long line of "Mommy see, Mommy do" kind of behaviors. And as long as it is good things she is picking up, I couldn't be happier.
She is now what I call, "hoarding books." She colelcts them, puts them all in one spot and almost guards them to an extent until the decides which one she will "read." I was wrapping a present for a friend's baby shower and a small, board book was supposed to be included. She, however, found the book, quickly confiscated it and would not give it back to me. I decided to was not worth the fight, so I just let her keep it.
All I hope is that this love for reading stays with her as long as it has stayed with me. She has dozens, upon dozens of books and I keep buying them for her. I know she loves to look at them and is getting to the point where she likes us to read her stories before bed. That is the kind of habit I want her to pick up from me – a love for reading. I love picking up a book and quickly become immersed in the story. I love to imagine different worlds and places, pretending that I am one of the characters in the story. I always have at least one book in my purse and maybe even another in the car, just in case I have a few minutes to read a few pages. Sometimes I get into trouble and can't put a book down, neglecting other things I could be doing. But as soon as I finish one book, I always have another ready and waiting.
I hope those other habits Lauren is mimicing remain too, especially helping mom around the house. I just need to remain vigilant that she doesn't pick up any bad habits from me as well!