14 Months One Week and One Day

Well another month rolls by and Abbey is like a sponge. I can see that very soon it's going to be hard to keep up with her development and all that she is taking in and attempting to communicate back. And as my belly expands also keeping up with her literally as it seems that if you simply look at her she thinks you're going to set off and start chasing her. It's very cute and often I do but soon I'm going to be slowing down.

As the weather gets warmer in Cairns we've had more and more froliking in the pool. sometimes twice a day even. It's still on the cooler than cool side but does wonders for a quick freshen up and cool down pre midday nap. Abbey seems to be comfortable enough in the water and I've no doubt that the more we're in there the more she'll enjoy it. Just yesterday i tried to see how she would be walking along the step ledge and she was happy to do so holding onto the side of the pool and was even keen to walk off it into the deeper water. I'm waiting for a book to come off reserve at the library so i can read up a bit more about teaching her to swim. We've also been down to the Esplanade a few times and played at Muddies a water play area for children. There's fountains and water for them to run through and play with. Abbey seemed content to just stand over the various fountains and feel the sensation of the water.

About a month ago now Abbey rediscovered her thumb (she sucked it for a brief stint at a few months old) and so she's often found with it in her mouth and the other hand playing with what little hair she has. I must say it has meant some much quieter car journies! Any attempt to remove the thumb is not followed by tears but instead a big grin and a game which is apparently quite a lot of fun where the thumb is removed and inserted back into the mouth numerous times.

My parents have been over visitng for the last two weeks which was a real treat and will be treasured as we're not sure when we will be back in NZ again. I'm not sure that Abbey remembered them but she soon got used to them being around and enjoyed showing them her cheeky ways. Here she is having a giggle with Grandpa Vince and cheese tasting with Grandma Gwen.

The more we see of Mikaela and John and little John the more Abbey is getting to know them and recognise them. She certainly seems to make herself at home whenever we're around at their place. So many things to pull off shelves and discover! We're trying to teach her to be 'gentle' with John and hopefully slowly but surely and with minimal damage to her new cousin (!) we'll get there. So far he still has two functioning eyes despite Abbey poking them! eeek!

The photo to the left is a cousin shot at John's baptism - he's not too impressed with Abbey touching his head but look at the glee in her eyes!! below a much nicer and more content John just chilling out on the couch

We try and read to Abbey every day and she does enjoy a good book. The variety at the library hasn't been great so far but it doesn't take many books to entertain a 1yr old. The favourite for a while has been Hairy Maclary from Donaldsons Dairy. She likes going back to the bit where Scarface Claw comes on the scene. She's also enjoying songs at Gymbaroo and I took her to check out a Mainly Music class last week and that was great. So we may go back there in a term.

Sometimes having a 1yr old around the house you feel like you're tidying up after a cyclone has hit three times a day. Abbey is pretty consistant in her destruction. We have the plastics cupboard seen in this photo which is great for taking everything out and putting it on the kitchen floor. She is learning to tidy up though. Then there's the bottom drawer just to the left of the cupboard which has baby bottles in it which she likes to take out and sometimes suck on. And then there's the second shelf on our book shelf which apparently looks much better without books! Anyway it's all discovery and harmless and we have clean up time at the end of the day where we sing our 'tidy up time' song which is nothing too fancy but does the trick at letting her know you gotta put all this mess away cos muma ain't doing it all!

Also in the last couple of months she has taken a strong liking to two of her teddy bears and to anything that can be carried like a hand bag. Here she is with my one which she can be found wandering around with it perched on her elbow. Another day she did the same with our camera bag and another day she attempted to do the same with a full bagof groceries! that was rather comical but the determination was impressivei must say.

Our biggest achievement of late has been graduation to her bed. Ryan designed it and we both pitched in to make it. We also made the coloured shelves you can see which have added some more colour and spice to her room. So far Abbey seems to like it and hasn't showed any desire whatsoever to be back in her cot. It is cot mattress size and lower than a single bed. She sleeps in a sleep bag and so far whenever she's worn that to bed she's not got out of bed in the morning but simply called out. And when it's been too early ie before 7am and we haven't come straight away she just sits there and talks to her teddy or looks at the books i've placed at the end of her bed. It's great! We're so glad it's been so smooth.

Next is potty training! I've started putting her on the potty if i can tell she's about to do no.2s and yesterdaywe had our first success with that. So perhaps with a few more results and over the top praise of her good works she will get the picture and want to do it more. She's not really one to sit still so we could be in for a bit of a challenge.

Well that's about it for this update. I feel like the last 10 weeks of this pregnancy may well pass byin a flash - or perhaps as the weather heats up that is what i'm hoping. I will try and blog before then though. Until then I leave you with my smiley little beauty.

My little washer woman.

My little washer woman. Ain't she cute! Abbey is certainly getting the hang of this walking business. She's been going solo all week more often than not. Still has days where she does the four legged thing just cos it's quicker. She does enjoy holding your hand and going for a stroll today she even thought running was a bit of a laugh.

Good times.

Great memories.