The most prominent feature of baby R must be her desire to communicate with the world around her. I still remember she vocalized and cooed to my (very impressed) mum at 5 weeks old. She would smile and coo to anybody who talked to her then. She started to babble "mum mum" when she turned 6 months old and actually meaning it when she was around 9 months old. It was "mum mum" whenever she saw we eating or drinking. And she really EATS!
I am much much more relaxed with the second baby. So, contrary to the big brother who first tasted adult food with all its yummy seasonings at 1 year old, she started eating rice and our table food at around 10 months old. She would happily sit on her high chair with pieces of vegetables, fruits, meat and bread, and indulge in messy fun.
I also am less prone to guide and teach her everything. Instead, she is encouraged to explore. She could climb three flights of stair at our home not long after she could cross crawl (around 9 months?). She cruises and stands with support now. I believe she will walk very soon.
Comparing with her brother, I seldom sit down and read through books after books, and sing songs after songs with her. We still read and sing, but it's very relaxed and less structured. With Z, I took my role as his first teacher very seriously!
It's a surprise that she still meets her milestones with so much more relaxed parenting on my side. She is able to speak 7 single words now (11 months 3 weeks old) - mama, papa, bao bao (carry), ball ball (ball), diao (fall down), deng (lamp), bear bear (teddy bear). Similar with Z, I also teach her sign language. So she is able to sign telephone, music, dog, lamp, teddy bear and fan.
She likes butterflies a lot. She would specifically look for butterflies in books and excitedly draw my attention to them. She would also ask me to flip the book to find "dog" through signing.
She may not be very verbal yet but she definitely understands more than she can express. She will understand instructions like "Come here", "Go ahead and play" (as she looks at me for permission before playing with her brother's toys lol!), "Mama carry you", "Let's go downstairs", "Papa is home" (she will turn to the door).
R is a sociable baby. She takes to new environment and new faces relatively easily. She still sleeps with me, breastfeeding a few times through the night. During the day, she grazes throughout her waking hours and breastfeeds at least 4 times.
Like any siblings, Z and R fight over toys a lot, sigh. There are also a lot of pushing and shoving, not only from the big brother but the little sister also stands up for herself a lot by pulling Z's hair and headbutting him. Tired from refereeing aside, I can imagine her growing up to be a strong and independent woman. Double cheers from the mom!
My darling R, my answered prayer, may God bless you in your coming years. May you continue to be healthy and lovable. May you grow up to be a blessing to the world. Mommy love you lots!
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