Mum's Musings - ONE!

ONE - A very small number, however, a time of GREAT change. So rapid are the changes, I can barely keep up with them.

Cahaya has progressed by leaps and bounds ( actually leaping and bounding ) in many areas, yet in others she remains stubbornly behind.

Trying to keep a track of these milestones is no easy feat, but let me try to list some of them at least. ( in no particular order or importance! )

Shall we start with VOCABULARY & WORDS?

* Favourite word already is "NO" ! ( inclusive of the head actions! ) Before you say anything, its' not from me. Its from all the maids in the park shouting at her when she puts a leaf in her mouth!

* Still won't say DOG but does "woof woof" instead whilst bending her knees. Don't ask me whY!

* Cat is "maow maow maow" and squatting and tilting her head as if to look under a car. ( which is usually where the cats are.

* Duck is "Quack Quack" .. no, actually its' " Kwark Kwark " with a Phillipino accent!!

* She surprised everyone at Gymboree the other day when she actually said "Gymbo" 3 times! Hmmm maybe we are going a bit toooooo often?

* "Bubbles" is an easy one.. lots of bubbles all the time!

* Say "Hello" to Cahaya and you'll get a very quick "HI!" in return accompanied by a wave. And say "Bye Bye" to Cahaya and you'll get a curt "Bye!" and a wave.

* She seems to be saying her name too now, although she's abbreviated it to "Chaya"

* Calls her Nanny Cherie "YaYa" and anyone else Phillipino for that matter. I've heard her say "Kakak" to the Indonesian maids too.

Cahaya is a right little chatterbox and can be heard talking jibberish all the time. To herself, to us, to anyone! Its great and cute and fun. Just wish I understood it!

Next, ACTIONS -

* She is attempting to undress herself. Particularly INCONVENIENT at bedtime!

* Bottle holding with or without handles has been mastered, however, at bedtime she often tries to drink face down into the bed. As you can gather, she's not made it very far! Her milk intake has DOUBLED recently which is great, the problem is, half of its at night and this leads to an extra nappy change sometimes!

* Still WAYYYYY behind on her solids, however she is getting better at manipulating things in her mouth and can finally crunch on 'Teddy Puffs' and she is ABSOLUTELY THRILLED at her accomplishment! ( And so am I !! )

* She is a bit of a scary Houdini and has learnt to very quickly wriggle out of the stroller, car seat and high chair straps! All very scary!

* Last but not least, Cahaya is running. Blink an eye, and she's gone. Danger everywhere, moving so fast, side stepping everyone and everything, tumbling, toppling, bumping, falling. But no crying! Still my GANGSTER GIRL CAHAYA RAIN!

DISLIKES -

* Not many but to name one or two , besides eating, having her teeth brushed. She jams her jaws shut and won't let me brush. But give her the brush and she chews on it... oh no... this is a big problem...

LOVES -

* Leaves, twigs, stones, sand... anything that will fit in her mouth. Not to mention all keys, remotes, fobs etc!

* Play! Play! and more Play! Park time twice a day, Gymboree, ibu Playgroups, Swimming at home or away. Running, playing hide and seek, the slides, being tickled and feet eating!

* Latest FAVE game is BOUNCING! Torturing me while she bounces on my tummy or facing the other way and being bounced and then plopped on the floor.

* Giving great BIG HUGS AND KISSES ( more like a bite - but i'll take it! )

All in all, ONE is a GREAT AGE. Watching her learn, change and develop. I guess I'd better enjoy this while it lasts - as the TERRIBLE TWOS are on their way! I bet any money I'm in for a rough ride with my headstrong, determined, independant daughter!

STAND BACK EVERYONE, HERE COMES CAHAYA RAIN!!