The Index Finger

Grockelina has learnt to point at what she wants. The index finger is proving to be a useful tool. So far she can stop the washing machine mid-cycle, turn off the sky box, and reconfigure the printer. It took me years to work out how to do that and she is only 11 months old.

She likes to play Peekaboo with Noddy (and to suck the bobble on his hat.) She likes to be chased, but she goes the wrong way and crawls towards me, ending in a collision-type cuddle. And she likes to wave her hands to her favourite songs. She can reach for the sky, high-five, wave hello and goodbye, clap her hands, shake her head, blow, and make a motorbike noise that I've only ever heard her father make.

My baby is a wee girl.

Ball pools and boys

Grockelina has proper words. She has had "mum mm mm" and "Da!" for ages, but now she has added "quack quack" and "woof woof" to the list. Today she also tried "bubble". She let go of the sofa with her hands, and stood balanced for a few seconds unaided. I realised that one day, she will walk.

We went to the soft play area at Noah's ark, and she giggled in the ball pool. Minutes later she sobbed when she saw John (aged 14 months) as she doesn't like him. He squeaks too much. She has a lot to learn about men!

How did we manage to make her? She fascinates me every day with her two and half teeth and her grockly smile. She hates cottage cheese just like her Granny.