Latest developments!

I haven't blogged since my last post on Bobo's newly acquired walking skills. The reason is simple, the baby is walking and I'm running after her, literally. Suddenly there is an increase in the motherly workload like never before. Anyone who has been there, done that, will identify with me immediately! That's not all. There has been a spate of illnesses in the house. First, P got a cold, then Bobo had it. Even as it was going away, P caught a viral cough and Bobo got that too. As a result, the last week has been spent in endless pacifying, night waking and constant feeding. And just when I thought I was lucky enough to escape both the round of infections, I have come down with the cough :(. Thankfully, I'm at Mom's since P is travelling, which makes things SOO much easier.

An unfortunate side-effect of the illness bout is that Bobo has become extremely clingy. She wants to be carried all the time and making her sleep has become (even more!!) difficult. I'm really worried that this might become a habit which she will carry well after she has recovered. I so hope not!

It's not all bad though. Since I last blogged, we have mastered walking and are starting to use it skillfully. The terrace, artificial grass covered children's play area in the society, lobby outside Mom's house, are all favorite places. We still don't like our (not so) new shoes, but booties are great. Several words are being attempted - Aai (about 100 times a day), Ajji, Mummm, Tdou tdou (some mix of kau-kau and chiv-chiv), Baba (on rare occasions). Waving, clapping, pointing, wrist movements are becoming second nature. There is a lot of new association-building and concepts such as open-able lids, different textures, colors, animals, birds are being understood nicely. It's a great phase, and there is an imminent transition from 'baby' to 'toddler' on the way!

Life in the third dimension

Bobo chan was so far living a two-dimensional life, wasn't she. She could stand up holding on to furniture alright, but there was no mobility in that third dimension. With the onslaught of unsupported walking, it is as if a whole new world has suddenly opened up. The discovery that there is so much to learn in this life, and to begin with, the house itself, has her totally going.

And going she is. From dawn to night, whether while eating, being cleaned, crying, laughing, sleepy or wide awake, the show must go on. There are drawers to be opened, items to be removed, other items replaced in their place. Strollers must be pushed and treated like walkers. Wires must be pulled down even if an inch of them is visible. Push and pull toys are meant to be pushed and pulled all over the house. The kitchen is forbidden territory, but there will come a time and place. The terrace, well, we've never even been there yet. You see, life is revealing an entirely new meaning to this ten month old!

As a fallout of this new and interesting phase in the daughter's life, poor Mom and Dad have become a harrowed lot. They thought they had covered the house, but now they ACTUALLY know what baby proofing means and what it entails. They have to think like the devil you know, be a few steps ahead, if furniture, stationary, crockery, etc have to be salvaged. They have to be continuously tuned in to the toddler who has obviously no connotation of danger or hurt. Whoever said a burnt child dreads fire were not parents themselves!

Stepping forward

Bobo chan is in the high-energy mode these days. The pretty little feet are carrying all the weight and trying out baby steps forward. We spent a week watching her take one step, then sit down. Then, the last week we held our breath as she took one step, then stood, then took another and then sat down. Yesterday was finally the day when there were three steps, twice in the afternoon, followed by five steps in the evening!! I think now I can safely declare that the little one is walking.

Ironically, I did not experience that 'tears in the eye' feeling that is oh so glorified. Perhaps because there was so much run up that it did not really come as a 'surprise' per se. Yet this mother's heart leaps every time she stands up and takes a step forward. For, a step forward it is! My little one is walking. Walking. Can you imagine. I kept picturing how she would look when she walks when she was a baby in my arms. And now, here she is. I have to admit though, that there is this unexplained sadness somewhere really deep down inside me. Walking is like the final and ultimate evidence that the infant is growing up. Faster than I had ever imagined.

For the record, we were unable to capture those first few steps. Taking the camera in hand (even hiding with it) is the best way to put her off from doing what you are after. I know we eventually succeed once the activity becomes second nature, but I guess these 'first-time' memories will have to be tightly locked up inside our heads after all!