12.5 month update

So many fun and new developments lately, it's crazy to think that soon enough, she will be walking and talking away. She's not a baby anymore =P

New words:
She said her first two-syllable word! Apple! It first started with her saying 'eh' or 'A', then a few days ago, she said Apple!

'lai lai' (milk) - Just today, Rob was feeling her dinner and she said it, just like that...pretty cool

'baa baa' - when we sing the song, 'baa baa black sheep', she would start it off by saying, 'baa baa' and then we finish up the rest of the song

'Hi'

'ba ba' - directed to Rob (first time today)

Unfortunately, all these new words seem to have made her forget how to say, 'ma ma'

Motor skills:
She knows where her head, nose and toes are, and loves hearing the Head and Shoulders song

Decisions and Independence:
Sofia has discovered that she can choose what she likes and doesn't want. When she likes something, she would reach her hand out and signal for it. She is now more choosy which book to read. We even have to be smart when we turn the water on for her bathtime cuz once she hears the water running, she will refuse to eat and just want to climb into the tub. She LOVES bathtime, thanks to all the fun bath toys she got for her birthday =)

She is in such a fun age now, loves to play and will giggle and laugh to your heart melts. I love the interaction we have with her now, it's still difficult to figure out exactly what she wants but it's good =)

On a side note...I have decided to resign from my job at BCCHF. It's been a difficult few months and I just didn't think the position was right for me. I'm so glad that in a few more days, I'll be able to spend more time with Sofia again. yay! This will mean I have to go back to looking for work again and figure out what I should do but this was the right thing to do. How can I stay at home and earn income at the same time? hmm...

As we become older in age, we become younger

huh? What does that mean?

I first heard about this from the President of BCCHF. She said that when her kids were young, her life back then made her feel old but as her kids got older and less dependent of her, she slowly regained her youthfulness. Is this true?

Perhaps...Since going back to work full time, I am slowly getting used to the routine. Time is flying by, day goes to night and I watch not only the calendar year of 2009 coming to an end but even my daughter is a year old now. Wow...What I do realize is this period of my life is not really my life. I spend much of my time working and taking care of Sofia, which leaves very little 'me' time. I've been feeling a bit frazzled and withered, like a flower that needs some more water or fertilizer. I see young, fresh-faced girls around me and they have this energy and excitement for life and I look at myself and it's hard to summon up that energy on a daily basis. So although I may still look quite young, I definitely don't feel it anymore.

There are many aspects that cause this: lack of exercise, inability to be spontaneous, a life of routine and housework and being a mom. I think it comes with the package and I embrace this stage. I could probably get back into regular exercising and spending more time taking care of 'me'. I totally could use a haircut, a pedicure and a whole new wardrobe but these things have taken a backseat to other priorities. So is it true that my next decade of life will feel like i'm 50? Can we modify our life's direction to change this? I guess we'll see.

yay for 'me' time this weekend cuz Rob and I are heading to the States overnight to do some shopping!

Halloween Weekend

What a nice weekend to have 3 days off! I'm not looking forward to my first 5 full days of work this week but have to admit that this weekend was pretty relaxing but fun. We managed to dress Sofia up in her pumpkin outfit a few times but just for photos and didn't go trick-or-treating. Next year will be better when she can walk and maybe even say 'trick or treat'!







Today was Justin and Ava's 2nd birthday party. It was so much fun for Sofia. There was a ball pit, bouncy castle and an ELMO cake. I'll have to find a photo of this cake and post it so watch out for it. Sofia has become this fearless climbing machine. She spends most of her time mastering her climbing skills more than standing or walking. I guess she won't be walking as soon as I thought when she starting crawling at 7.5 months =P She kept climbing in and out of the ball pit on her own, the objective to not play in the ball pit but to see how many times she could get in and out. She's climbed into the wagon you see in the above shot on her own, pretty amazing. I couldn't believe how much she enjoyed the bouncy castle. She would bop her head up and down cuz it was so bouncy and while she was standing up against the netting, i pushed her lightly causing her to bounce on the ground and she loved it! She didn't want to leave...oh oh

What a fun yet challenging age they are at. I love being able to witness it all.