I’m super surprised and shocked to be writing this update because it’s hard to comprehend that I am actually the mother of an 18 month old toddler! How on earth did that happen?
So much has happened since the previous update, three months ago, that I’m so excited to share with you all.
Teething
I think we’ve been let off quite well in the past three months, since the previous update where tooth number 7 was emerging, we’ve only just had one more tooth join the family. However, with that being said, I really do think we have molars on the way because she is in quite a discomfort and the way she’s been chewing her hands but still no actual emergence as of yet.
Food
She’s loving her food, whatever I or her Nanny makes her, in addition we have introduced some Organix products for times she outright refuses to eat the snacks I’ve made her or for when we’re out and about.
Breastfeeding
Still going strong here although there were two days in a row when she completely refused her bedtime feed but we are back to normal except, no more night feeds! Can you believe it? Because I can’t! We haven’t gotten ridden of them completely, if she becomes incredibly inconsolable then I just give in but let’s just say for the past week or so.
I also thought that with her eating more solids in the day and growing up, she wouldn’t be much interested in feeding from me anymore but it’s far from that! As soon as she comes home, she runs over to me and moans and if I don’t ‘understand’ pulls my top down and makes it obvious she wants a feed, I have to be very careful now when in company of others..
Sleep
I’m kind of having a cheeky little laugh with myself right now..
The heatwave created a drastic change in our routine, Little A outright has been refusing to go in her cot at bedtime and I blame the stuffy heat. So for the past 3 or so weeks she’s had it her way and has been sleeping with me!
But you know what? I’ve really been enjoying her cuddles and she’s actually sleeping so much better which means I’ve been sleeping better and have been less of a zombie at work. So after nearly 18 months of no sleep, I welcome this. Although, I did one night put her in the cot but she was back in my bed by 11pm! I think if we persevere again as the weather is so much better now she’ll be back to normal ways but I think I’ve spoilt myself really rather than her.
Milestones
She’s hit so many milestones that I wouldn’t be able to stop writing if I listed them all. First and foremost, we have a walker, she took her first independent steps on 7th July and just a week after began walking unaided and ever since then she has become so confident I can’t really believe my eyes. She is so fast that there is no doubt she’ll be properly running soon.
Secondly, she is such a speaker. I have mentioned in previous updates which words she can say but it’s so much more than that. She can speak both English and Urdu words it amazes me! One of my favourite things that she says is ‘thank you’ which leads me onto her third milestone.
Her sense of understanding has really come through, from a baby who didn’t understand what you said to a toddler who can now understand and follow simple instructions.
She’s always heard us say thank you when receiving something and now she’s doing the same, I find it really cute whenever she gives me something she says thank you as well!
As for instructions, she can now understand and act upon things like:
‘Give it to me please’
‘Put that over there please’
‘Please sit down’
‘Go and give this to daddy/mummy’
‘Come here please,’
She also understands when you tell her to clap her hands she will. When you ask her what the lion does, she roars, when you ask her where her ‘beautiful nose’ is (have to say beautiful) she scrunches up her nose and takes her tongue out when you ask her where it is!
She also loves helping with everyday things, my Mum tells me she waits for my brother to finish his breakfast, literally stands there putting the pressure on him to finish quickly so she can take the plate to the kitchen!
She’s also learnt to count to five now!
Personality/favourites
Like I’ve always mentioned she’s a little lady with a big personality and that is still very true. I am in absolute awe with her, how she’s growing and developing it is just so surreal to see.
She finally doesn’t complain when I put something on her head, actually goes to the mirror to admire herself and is already obsessed with carrying bags!
She’s very welcoming and loves being around people but is wary when strangers are about which is good.
Her utmost favourite thing other than books is actually playing football! Whether it’s a normal sized football or a small toddler one, she loves a good kick about.
She does get upset and angry and really does know how to fight her corner when she doesn’t get what she’s not allowed. But what’s really touched me so much about her was only just this past Saturday..
We were at our regular playgroup where she’s always been around children the same age or a little older than her. Along came an adorable 3 month old who was in her father’s arms – what did Little A start to do? Play peek-a-boo with the baby and kept making her smile and was just so gentle that it made me so emotional!
She has never been around a small baby and to see her react like that was just something else altogether.
I’m so proud of my little best friend and now I better stop writing before the tears start coming.
Just catching up on these. Love to hear about your little girl, I've fallen in love with her myself! xxx