My baby has turned 11 months!! woot!
She will be 1 year on March 6 2010. isn't that fantastic? My gosh, how time flies... and how wonderful it has been to see her grow... simply a miracle.
We've also been here for a month now.. and in this month, she has learned quite a few new things. though she hasn't learnt to stand independently, she does take more risks when sitting - she lets go both hands and lands on her bum.. and hangs onto things with one hand, or hangs onto our clothes or V's chain and doesn't realise that she is actually standing! I think she just doesn't want to... And as for walking, V has been encouraging her to walk by holding her under the arms, and then after 3 steps, he does a hop with her. She is very tickled by that. :)
Foodwise, she is eating the fish, chicken and beef stews/porridge that i make with her. I now add in ginger, onions and yellow peppers. her food is also more chunky now. I enjoy cooking it for her cos it always smells so wholesome!! There is always veg inside as well, so that she gets enough fiber. She simply loves to eat.. Now she loves banana, pears, apples.. the funny thing is she wants to see us scoop the fruit directly from it, rather than have it mixed in her cereal. otherwise, she won't eat it! How smart is she.. and where did she learn that from? I have also begun to allow her to eat directly from the fruit itself (when it is soft) and she really takes HUGE bites! the other day, I had to pry the pear out from her mouth.. because she opened her mouth so big and huge chunk went it... haha... But it is really amusing to watch.
She also eats our biscuits now - like the Meiji biscuits.. And really enjoys doing so. she will take a bite, chomp with her teeth and then smile to herself.. or clap. Oh yes, I've started her on a learning program, using Brillkids software, and she enjoys her lessons. I do them twice a day, as recommended, and show her electronic flash cards on topics like action words, parts of the body, colours etc and then songs and stories. So far, i feel it has been very effective (and cheap, at 12 a month.. since i'm sharing with XR). She has learnt to clap, wave, point and sometimes kick, in response to the word. I'm so proud of her! :) I feel that she is trying very hard to communicate as well and occasionally we hear hello, and frequently she says dada or mama. I am excited to hear her first words!
She is very independent now and can sit in the playpen, amusing herself while I am able to go and do quick cooking (half hour). Of course, we turn on the tV, but she isn't always watching.. instead exploring the toys, standing up on her toes to touch the ledge, etc. And while she's not in the playpen, she is busy crawling around to check out the house.. with lots of supervision, of course. I spend most of the time reading or singing to her. I believe the brillkids has excited her about learning and now she shows great interest in the books.. for now, she flips them, but at least, she goes to them!!
She is a playful gal - always looking for ways to tease and laugh with us. For instance, she will pull V's clothes and then lean in close to him, then giggle.. then she will play hide and seek with us... most times we hide and she looks for us.. occasionally she will run to the room and hide behind the door and we pretend to look for her. Certainly, playing with her now is so enjoyable. Even V can't wait to drop his studies to spend time with her. Sometimes we even feel like waking her up to play!
She now naps either once a day (2 hours plus) or 2 times a day (1 hour each time) so it's easier on us as well. At least it's quite predictable. Also, she sleeps around 103opm and then wakes up around 4 for milk (still trying to cut that out) and then sleeps again till 8am. it's a pretty good schedule and since i've stopped pumping, i get more rest and am better able to play with her. :)
I look forward to her turning one. Am already teaching her the birthday song! I hope she will know how to clap at the end of the song, on the day itself. Still wondering how to celebrate her birthday! Maybe go to the Family resource centre and invite other parents... that will be a surefire way to get to know them and their babies!! I guess I might write to them to enquire.
Now she is very observant and it's almost as if you can see through how her brain is working. For instance, the other day at the centre, I sat on a chair to block her from touching the computer point and she promptly ran away. When i came back next to her, she realised I had left the chair, so she went back to try and get at the computer point again. Then yesterday, I wanted to feed her but she was more interested in touching the spoon and bowl. When i left it on the ground, she came towards me. The moment I touched the bowl and spoon, she stopped and started to turn away. So I tested it by putting the bowl on the ground again. and she came! When i lifted it again, she ran away again.. haha.. she just wanted to play.
I wish I had more time to detail all the happenings with her, but just writing down these essentials before I really forget them.
Lots of pics on fb, so i won't upload here. Just writing down as much as I can before I forget!
