New Words

Lilli is moving beyond "Dog" and "And This." Her latest words are "Toes" and "More." The latter is accompanied by the hand sign and an expectant look towards the table where she hopes to see either cheese or puffs, her two favourite foods! She can understand much more than she can say and is avidly learning names for objects. She points to flowers, lights, nose, mouth, toes, baby doll and ball when asked. Pointing is a new skill that is being put to much use and we frequently play the name game where Lilli points to an interesting item and we put a name to it.

Happy 11 Months Lilli!

11 months old! Only one month to go before the big 1. And we couldn't make it through the first year without a trip to urgent care. So on Lilli's 11 month birthday she took a nose dive off the couch and landed on her head giving herself a big bump and a trip to the hospital. It was a late night party in the waiting room for Lilli. Lots of interesting people to watch, a fish tank with some evasive clown fish and bubbles and a chance to stay up a couple of hours past her bedtime. Thankfully all was well and the doctor reassured us that Lilli probably passed out from holding her breath rather than concussion. When very upset some toddlers will hold their breath for so long that they black out. What a nerve wracking 11 month birthday.

Boot Camp Part II

Yay for Granny who made it to Seattle despite Iceland's volcano! We love having Granny visits. And Granny is taking Lilli through her paces!!

Walking

Every morning before breakfast Granny and Lilli goose step around the house. Lilli marches behind her walker with straight legs and a great swagger. Granny helps Lilli turn the corners since the walker only goes in straight lines.

In the box, Out of the box

Granny and Lilli have great fun with an old cereal box. Lilli puts toys into the box, Granny gives the box and shake and the toys rattle, and Lilli dives in and pulls them out.

Cuddles for Baby Doll

Under Granny's tutelage Lilli looks after Baby Doll, showering her with kisses and cuddles. Sometimes Baby Doll is fortunate enough to enjoy being pushed around the room in the walker by her big friend, Lilli.

A TV Night

How rare that I have some time to write! But here I am on the couch with Jon's laptop on my knees, nibbling on chocolate, sipping hot fruit tea and listening to Jon having fun with a jazz tune in the office. After my post I am looking forward to curling up in front of the TV. NCIS is on! Maybe it doesn't sound like heaven, but it is to me.

So what shall I write about before NCIS claims my attention. How about Lilli's second word? Last week she clearly said "Dog" (with a silent g) after listening to the neighbourhood dogs barking. Or perhaps I should mention her new adorable hair style? She was strapped in her high chair, Daddy held her hands to stop her swiping and swatting at the scissors, while I snipped a cute but jagged fringe (or bangs as they are known here). Maybe I should mention that Lilli is working on new teeth. That it looks as though all her remaining teeth, her molars, canines and lower side incisors look as though they are about to break through together. I could tell you that Lilli is perfecting her sign language, though we're not quite sure if we have a clear understanding. We think the sign for 'more' might only mean more puffs or more cheese or more of that yummy food we were just eating. Not more of the sloppy stuff. Should I share that Lilli has taken to nipping me while nursing? She flashes me a mischievous grin when I scold her while prising open her clenched jaws. I know, I know, but somehow she is capable of biting and smiling simultaneously! You'll be amused to hear that Lilli is still full of inquisitive energy and she becomes more and more fun every day.

Now, to NCIS. Perhaps one night I'll get back to my knitting.

And This ....

Lilli's first two word combination might just be "and this." As she was playing with her blocks and puzzles pieces today, taking them out of the tray and putting them in very specific places on the rug before returning them to the tray, Jon noticed that as she laid each piece down she said what sounded like "and this."

Mama dropped out of her vocabulary last month, to be replaced by Dada. She's all about Dada now, and this!

Sit and Spin

Lilli has a new move and it's called the "Sit and Spin." It's easily executed. You sit on your bottom, preferably diapered for padding, and use your feet to push yourself around in a full circle pivoting on your bottom. It enables quick scanning of the room to see which toy or electrical outlet to investigate next or in a pinch to locate the whereabouts of Mummy and Daddy. Mostly it's used to express excitement over a song or a toy.

Clothes Peg Fetish

Babies seem to enjoy every day household items so much more than carefully designed expensive age-appropriate toys. Tupperware, pots, measuring spoons, spatulas, paper, blankets and lately clothes pegs are infinitely more fun! One day Lilli discovered the bright clothes peg bag in the bottom of the laundry hamper and the love affair began. She spends minutes at a time flinging the clothes pegs into the laundry hamper and taking them out again. If they fall in too deep she calls for assistance with a stamp of a little foot, a scowl and a frustrated whine. I find clothes pegs all over the house, even in the bathtub. I have clothes pegs in my jacket pockets since we have implemented a new rule: no clothes pegs while in the car seat. Lilli isn't complete without a clothes peg in each hand and extracting them from her surprisingly strong grasp can be quite a challenge!

In Harmony

Lilli has found her singing voice! Besides singing along with me, particularly when I'm crooning her lullaby, she sings long notes in harmony with the guitar. She plucks a string and steadily hums or hahs along with the note. She plucks another string and modifies her pitch appropriately. Will we be cheering her along on Pop Idol one day?