The First Year: Part 1

This is a long overdue post.  It has taken me some time to figure out what I want to say for the final entry of this blog.  I feel like I should reflect on the last year as a lot has happened, and I have learned a great deal.  However, I also need to approach these last few months in the same way as the others, especially as Milly has given me a lot to write about.  Cramming everything into one last post seemed like a big job, so I've decided that I will split this post into two parts (it's obvious really!!!) and sign off in a way that I feel is more appropriate.

Over the last couple of months, Milly has become a speedy little mover, a keen communicator, and a devilish practical joker.  She has really cracked the art of crawling, her elaborate system of rolling everywhere has been usurped by moving on all fours.  It seems like every day she gets stronger and faster.  With this ability to move freely, comes the exploration of once out-of-reach places.  There is barely a corner that has not been examined, or a table crawled under, all seemingly in search of some magical bounty that she has yet to find.  There is also the added excitement of being able to eat anything that she finds on the floor.  We can check all over for the tiniest of specks, yet Milly finds everything and pops it in her mouth without a moments hesitation.  Over the last few weeks, we have fished no end of things from her mouth, but she needs watching like a hawk.  It has actually become a little game that she plays.  If she now finds something on the floor, she will crawl up to it but not pick it up straight away.  She'll keep looking at you, hoping that you look away, and as soon as you do, in it goes.  Quite smart really.  A recent development is her ability to pull herself into a standing position using whatever is near by.  She has even started to try it unaided in the middle of the floor.  She seems to get braver everyday, which isn't doing our nerves any favours, but I don't think it will be too long before she starts taking a few steps.

On the talking front, Milly is doing really well.  She is not shy of letting her voice be heard, happily babbling away to herself, or demanding more attention, she is never short of something to say.  We have also heard some words quite clearly.  She has cracked 'Mum' and 'Dad', and is getting really good at 'Car', 'Ball' and 'Bear' (in fact 'Bear' is so good that 'Old Macdonald' only has bears on his farm!!!).  We also occasionally get a 'Gran' and a 'Hello', but by far her favourite seems to be 'Bye', normally accompanied with a cheeky grin and a wave.  Over the last couple of months, Milly has been getting her tongue around pronouncing 'L'.  This ends up with Milly sat yodelling constantly, which is very amusing.  

As for the practical jokes, we've always known that Milly has a wicked sense of humour from the twinkle she gets in her eyes when she is about to do something naughty.  But she has taken this to a new level.  First of all, there is the sock game.  This is a simple game that brings great amusement, and all it involves is you putting a sock on Milly's foot and her removing it as you put on the next.  This game can last a while!!!  The next is one Milly plays with Mummy.  This game involves Milly dropping her food on the floor, and as Mummy bends down to pick it up, Milly grabs her hair with hands covered in whatever she has been eating (Beans, Dairylea, Chocolate pudding etc.).  The last one she saves for me.  Having taught Milly how to 'Hi-Five', she will readily offer up her hand when prompted for a good old handslap.  But she has developed her own little joke where she will offer up her hand, as you raise yours in anticipation of the 'Hi-five', Milly removes her hand and turns away grinning.  This will be repeated over and over, until she eventually delivers on the promise, leaving you guessing when she will, and won't go through with it.  She loves it!!!

There is one thing that I have found hard over the last 6 weeks or so.  This is Milly starting to know what she wants, and being prepared to make you aware when she is not happy with a situation.  This situation normally occurs when Milly is left with Daddy, as Mummy tries to get stuff done.  If Milly knows that Elaine is around, I have no chance.  She shouts, screams, and gets herself into such a state that the only option is for us to swap.  At times when this isn't an option, she really sticks it to me which hasn't been very enjoyable.  Some days, the really upsetting part is that I'm not even the second choice.  This situation is not helped by the fact that when I return from work Milly is tired, and that over the last few weeks Milly has been under the weather, suffering from teething, colds, and the side effects of the MMR jab.  These have been times when she has just wanted a cuddle from Mummy to make her feel better, unfortunately, I am not an acceptable replacement.  I'm sure that the blame lies with me on this, as much as it's a phase that Milly is going through.  One thing is certain, my old repertoire no longer does the trick, and my window to find out what does work is a very small one.  On a positive note, however, is that this is only a problem on the days when I'm at work.  It seems as if over the weekends I'm around long enough to earn Milly's approval, which is a great way to end the week I think.


More to follow....