the playpen

On the earlier days, Steph seems to be uninterested in books that are always strewn around the house. Yet, I have reserved for her the lowest shelf in one of the bookcases. All the books that Vera and Bugsy have outgrown, enjoyed or even continue to enjoy are kept there.  Waiting...in case it sparks curiosity and invites scrutiny. Well, she has done a lot of pulling and messing the floor with books. But that's about it. Nothing magical or fantastic. Just a pile of mess to pick up afterwards

Her Papa started reading to her the Children's Bible but her attention span would only last for a few seconds. So the reading time was shelved for a while. Yet, we kept reading to the older children while she toddles about doing her own thing.

The interest seems to develop in time. I have started reading to her Beatrix Potter's well loved tales. Then, comes the silly yet funny Five Little Monkeys (Christelow) and lately The Very Hungry Caterpiller (Carle).  These two stories are quite a fave. Yet no story would get finished, after few pages, she would run to get a ball or another book. But we did continue to read to her anyway. These days there is quite a change of wind, she would sit quietly on a lap when read to. She would clamour for her faves to be read repeatedly. I thin the record so far is 4 times in one sitting. Ha! Good thing for tape books. One goes with the Five Little Monkeys...while we turn the pages.  As for the Caterpillar, hmmm, might have read it hundreds of time since Vera's days. With older sister Vera, Steph loves to listen to her read The Rainbow Fish (Pfister).

Just the other night she came to me stuttering "Um-my-am!  Um-my-am!"

On her hand was Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham. It was the first time I heard her utter these new words... if they are indeed (?) Anyway, so I was surprised to see the book - I have read this to her recently - i think, about twice already - and she was handing it to me. Ah! I said, "Green Eggs and Ham!" 

Then I turned the page and it struck me..." SAM I AM!  "Um-my-am" is Sam I am!"

Wow! She remembers the first lines! 

Just this morning, when I came to the room where the bookcases are the lowest shelf was almost empty. There sat Stephie pleased with her books strewn all over the floor.

Stephie's picture taken last year showing off two front teeth.

Oh she has grown lots. Almost all the milk teeth are out. Here is a recent 
picture. She lost some weight as she gets to be more active everyday. 
Got sick too in December.

After dinner, we were watching the tv and Steph was doing her usual rounds. She was crawling in and out of the rooms and cruising between furniture. Just suddenly she decided to stand up and walk. We were all thrilled... so she toddled about sometimes losing her balance but would get up again and toddled on.

She turned one 2 days ago... we are planning a birthday dinner for her.