Two weeks ago this gorgeous little girl turned one. A special milestone, but one which seems to have come with a complete step change in ability from Little Miss C and more changes for the whole family.
Whilst she has been crawling since she was about six and a half months old LMC hadn't really shown any interest in walking. What was the point when you could crawl as fast as she could and carry anything you needed in your mouth whilst doing so. Two days after her birthday though that all changed and suddenly there was a new way of getting around that she was keen to try out. First proper steps were taken just a week ago and now she can manage 11 steps at a time, but strangely only if Daddy, and only Daddy, is in the room! I've seen three steps in total, but for now it seems I'm destined only to hear Mr C counting out-loud from the next room whilst she walks. I figure she can't go like that for ever.
A flight of stairs has also been climbed (several times) and I'm "delighted" that she can now climb up onto the sofa as well – although I now need to find a new, higher, place to put my cups of tea. Verbally it is also as if she's suddenly been given permission to use proper words as well. She can point out next door's cat as soon as it comes into our garden and her shouts of cat are now the signal for me to run to the garden with a water pistol to scare it off (with the neighbour's permission I'm pleased to say!) As with most small children she has a fascination with ducks and the fact that they say quack, although she is a tad confused by the large pigeons that visit our garden and is convinced that they should be ducks too. I think we may have a budding naturalist in the family as animals, birds and insects seem to be firm favourites at the moment. I was amazed to hear her shout "rabbit" when I took her to see the pet bunnies at our local garden centre and yesterday a travelling children's farm gave her great delight, especially it seemed when she was allowed to stroke a rat – not something you'd catch me doing in a hurry I can tell you!
In addition to all these development changes last week also included her first settling in session at nursery. Suddenly my little girl is no longer little. I've been busy filling in forms, making bags to keep nappies and spare clothes in and sewing name tapes on to things. I'm not sure why, but the whole name-tape thing has me spooked somewhat. No longer will Mummy or Daddy always be there to make sure that she doesn't lose things (or at least to answer when someone picks up a discarded sock, cardigan or sun-hat). I realise that over the years many, many hours will be spent sewing on name-tapes; school uniforms, brownie/guide/scout uniforms, book bags, etc etc. Strange how in my mind they seem to have become some sort of symbol of growing up. Only the other day I found a couple of things with my old name-tapes still on them (an old school sweatshirt that amazingly still fits and a towel that I used to take swimming) and I also came across a whole bundle of unused ones in my sewing box – especially weird to see my maiden name staring up from them.
I think it's an independence thing though – name-tapes are only used once children are out there on their own and for one day a week that's what LMC will be. I'm hoping that she'll be going out there in her usual fearless and enthusiastic manner with a huge grin on her face, but even if she does I can't help but feel a bit sad that my little girl's already growing up. I love you darling!
Homemade nappy storing peg-bag made with some lovely tulip fabric that's currently half price in the John Lewis Clearance. Just as soon as I find where I put the bit of selvage I cut-off (why is it I can never remember where safe-places are?) I'll let you know the name of the designer.
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