Milestones: Eight Months in Australia

Chilling out in front of my favourite DVD: Hairy Maclary

Age: 2 years and 1 week
Time with us: 8 months
Height: 86cm
Weight: 10.2 kg
Teeth: 16

Words
Arm, didgeridoo (hilarious), book, one more, Alex, bee, flower, kids, Ruth (ruff), Mei, giddy-up, peepo, cake, itchy, baby, cup, bottle, fish, Elmo, cup, rain, bump, dark and ……..
Animal sounds
Oink, neighhh, bzzz, baa, moo, quack
Comprehension
When told we are going to crèche says waah in memory of being upset at crèche
At the mention of a birthday will try to blow a candle out
Knows that a watch and a clock are the same
Gets my socks from the drawer for me every day
I bargained with her ‘You can only have some yogurt if you sit in your highchair & wear a bib’ and she complied (for once)
Recent Accomplishments
A whiz at swimming, jumping in the water, totally fearless, ready to go into the next level the minnows. Running quite fast, often down the street with me chasing her. Can now jump confidently on the mini trampoline at playgroup. Can climb up into the highchair. Can use a knife and fork. Generally refuses to get into her highchair, preferring to sit with us at the table.
Sleep
Night: 7pm and wakes at 4 or 5 am and goes into Mum & Dad’s bed and sometimes falls asleep. Daytime: sleeps one hour in her cot and one hour with Mum on her bed (a forced nap for Mum)
Cute Things
Loves to tickle our toes
Does kamikaze dive bombs onto us from a height
Loves it when I turn out the lights and she says ‘dark’ (does this when we pass through tunnels on the train too)
Wags her finger at Slinky Malinky ie naughty, naughty
Gives Tim & I cups of tea and reminds us that they are ‘hot’
Runs around the house trying to swot flies with the flyswotter
Continues to have imaginary conversations on the mobile phone, particularly with Nana and Jo
Pretends she’s a baby, crawling around or being wrapped up tightly in a blanket and saying waaah
Dons an apron and cooks with her playset (particularly when I’m preparing dinner)
Favourite Foods
Carrots, peas, spaghetti, sushi, cake muesli, any sample from Baker’s Delight
Books
Olivia, Where is the green sheep? The wheels on the bus, The Hairy Maclary series
TV
Elmo, Playschool, The Teletubbies, Dora, Hairy Maclary (over and over)

You'd like me to cook dinner tonight Mum?!!!!

Sometimes Mum just can't help herself

Ever the busy bee

Camille's first session at creche

Camille didn’t cry, but her Mum certainly did, as the lovely childcare worker at Northcote swimming pool took Camille over to play with the other kids. I’m sure it’s the same for every Mum. Even though I love being at home with Camille, watching her grow and learn so fast, the unrelenting demand of being with a very active toddler 24/7, has been taking its toll.

Camille has only been with us for 8 months and as attachment is such an important issue for littlies who have been adopted, it’s not a simple thing to leave her in someone else’s care. But I really need a break, and a bit of head space. I suppose many people are able to do this at night. However, I’ve never really been a night person, and now that my mornings have been commandeered by a little person who wakes at 5 each day, well I just don’t seem to get any time. Tim does take care of Camille at times, but unfortunately he is often exhausted from his very physical job. So it doesn’t seem fair to ask him too often, when he works so damn hard.

So today is the first trial run. I’m sitting in the café at the swimming pool tapping away on my laptop. Fingers crossed that all goes well.

PS The childcare worker came in after an hour saying Camille was quite distressed. So was Mum as she reassured her sobbing little girl! Let's hope next time it will be easier for all concerned.

PPS After we got home from creche I chatted a bit to Camille about creche and everytime I mentioned the word she just said ' waaaah, waaah' !!!

It's my birthday today

It’s my birthday today
I’m older than yesterday
Everybody shout and sing hip hip hurray
And we all can sing happy birthday

Our gorgeous girl has turned two today. It’s hard to believe that the shy little Suixi girl I met on Christmas day has grown into such a confidant, outgoing little girl . Running, jumping, laughing, squealing, playing tricks on us and generally keeping us entertained. She really is quite a character.

As expected Camille woke very early, no doubt so she could enjoy the day to the max. Mum and Dad gave her a present of a humpty dumpty (an absolute favourite) and a toy cash register (another big hit for a girl who loves all things electronic). The rest of the day was filled with cake, baby chinos and of course more cake.

The birthday party
Last weekend Camille had a big family get together to celebrate her second birthday. With all the cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents from both sides it was quite a turn out. The Dennistons (Cathie, Glenn, Caitlin and Liam) made a special trip down from Sydney just for the party! Camille’s special friend from Suixi, Mei, was there and also had a great day. To quote her Mum 'Mei sang all the way home. Obviously drunk on jelly'

Ever the social butterfly, Camille took it all in her stride, enjoying every moment.

With Giddy Up, her new rocking horse

A girl just can't get enough cake

With her Dada and Humpty

ozzie ozzie oi oi oi

Miss Camille Sui Hua Chan Goodman, formerly of the People’s Republic of China, today became an Australian citizen. To mark the occasion her mother took her to the 35th floor of the Hotel Sofitel to enjoy a babychino and the view over Melbourne. Further celebrations took place at the family home, where a meal of roast lamb and pavlova was enjoyed by all.