Motherese: Month 13
Posted on 11.18.07 to Clare, Motherese, Parenting by JoanMotherese
Vol 2, Issue 1
Dearest Clare,
Now that you’ve turned one, I feel like I’ve got a different kid altogether. You’ve stopped crawling entirely and would sometimes insist on walking on your own. It’s definitely a big relief for me most times because it makes it easier to carry things and it gives me a break from carrying you all the time! This new found independence is great because I can now leave you to your own devices most times. You’d feed yourself snacks, hold your bottle and play quietly on your own in the playpen.
When I was pregnant, I was imagining what Sunday mornings would be like: my kids sitting on the couch, having a snack and watching cartoons, with the dogs sleeping at their feet. Well, these days you can sit on the couch on your own, watch tv but you’d get bored after a while and crawl to the side table to flip through my magazines. But it’s good enough for me, knowing that you are capable of looking after yourself for a while without me having to make sure you don’t fall off and hurt yourself.
You are so responsive these days! You would let me know that you want me to read you a bedtime story every night by pulling a book from the side table and sitting on my lap. You’d stare at me and whine if I don’t complete the story. You would let me know when you want to be carried and when you want to walk on your own. You would initiate play with me, by doing something cheeky to get my reaction. You get a big kick out of making me yell “No! No! No! No!” and would laugh heartily when that happens. You would bring me your shoes and socks, and start waving bye-bye when you want to go home.
Your favourite ‘game’ is to squirm out of the car seat belts – you’d pull your arm out then in, and over again. At night, it’s your pyjamas that you’re squeezing out of.
This month, we got you your very own drum set. Your grandfather’s passion is to play his drums and I think some of that loud banging must have rubbed off you. You totally enjoy being on his drums and I often see you banging on other surfaces with some rhythm.
At Toys ‘R’ Us, you were happily banging away at the display set, you wouldn’t let go of the drumsticks. When I tried prying them from your hands, you screamed then ran off banging the drumsticks on anything else. That behaviour is cute now simply because you’re tiny and you don’t know any better. So don’t think that this is acceptable behaviour when you grow up!
Clare, I look forward to the opportunity to witness you growing up every day. It’s incredible how much you’ve grown and how your personality has developed. You understand most of the things I say to you these days. Your eyes always light up and you break into this really cheeky grin whenever you realise I’m talking to you. Apart from your cheekiness though, you are such a sweet kid. You are really sweet to little kids your age and size, and you’d always stroke the smaller ones. Of course, all that changes when I attempt to carry other babies!
It has been just one month into your second year of life and it has been so exciting discovering new things with you. And as always, I’m grateful for the special bond that you and I share. Thank you for loving me as much as I love you.
Love always,
Mommy
