11 Months Old

Once again, Talya insists on being subdued for the camera. We'll work on expressing emotions more clearly in the future.

Don't even tempt me with a rubber ducky...

BATH PARTYYYYYY...!!!!!

Drums, anyone? Thumpity, thump, THUMP!!!
Cheesy? I know! The gift-boxes are because I'm going to have my first birthday soon. The picture lady made me do it.

In the Meantime: Talking, Walking, and Other Things

Talya is becoming more and more toddler and less and less baby every day. The latest news on the vocabulary front is that she says her own name. When she sees her picture or reflection in the mirror, she says something like Ta-ah or Ta-yah...yesterday, she sat in bed and listed all the members of her family, "mama, dada, Ta-ah, gata...(repeat...)." Of course, all animals are still "gatas" no matter how many other names we give her.

Speaking of gatas, it's official that Xana Fafa La Famosa Katt Kwee (aka "Gata") is staying with us. We just can't separate bambina and gata sisters.

ok, to say walking is pushing it, but standing up by herself and even standing and stepping (and of course clapping) in place is big news for little T. Today I saw her transfer her balancing hands from one piece of furniture to another and carefully step over to it. She's determined... I think we'll try her on waterskis by next month, at least, but she'll have to wait until winter to use snow skis. For now, she also enjoys using a "pusher" on wheels to get around the house on her two feet.

One of her latest new tricks is practicing selective hearing. I thought that was for teenagers, but I guess there is a lot of developmental common territory between tots and teens. Today when Talya was especially enjoying her wooden blocks, I said her name repeatedly and it was pretty clear that she intentionally did not turn her head. oh the fear of your fun being spoiled by your ma! If only the same determination could apply to napping when mama wants to do other things...

The other unfortunate new trick has been successfully calculating how to remove her own diapers. The crinkle of velcro on the outer diaper cover is sensational for Talya; the clean-up of sheets and carpets recently required of mama and dada, however, has not been a highlight for them.

Today's new and dangerous discovery was SAND (see pic above). The sensation of letting it run through your fingers, muddy up your clothes, touch your lips and maybe your mouth if mom is not fast enough, and fill up your shoes is one to return to and return to and return to. At least bathtime is still a popular attraction since we need more and more of them these days.

Grandma Lynne and Grandpa Dave Visit

...and they helped me to have some good times playing hard. Grandma Lynne also thought that my house needed "updated" to have some more toddler activities, so I'm having lots of fun with my big girl toys every day thanks to her.

Blur

Blur, blur, blur, blur, blur...the word that says it best.

Where, oh where, have Talya and her family been these past few weeks? Come to think of it, we're not really sure. Physically, we've been home, but for some reason, it's all a blur. We have learned to never, never underestimate the sweat and tears required of adjusting to a 12-hour-difference time zone twice in one month with a 9 or 10 month old. Yes, she travels easily, adapts well to routine changes, and pretty much goes with the flow...but a series of struggling, sleepless nights and dizzy days has made us wonder if we may really enjoy a "boring" life. As for our state these past few weeks, the pic of Talya passed out on the high chair probably says it best. On the other hand, her daddy says it's genetic because he and Grandma Irene can also fall sleep anywhere.

Now that we're getting into the swing of things, Talya is going full speed again, and fortunately, it's usually during the "right" hours of the day. In the meantime, she wants to share her fond menories of a few of her other favorite last moments in Singapore before we move on in bloggerspace.

We cannot go without a picture from the Singapore Zoo. Talya soaked in the opportunity to see "gatas" (you know, her first and favorite word, "cat") in all colors and sizes. Here she is with Gata Jirafas and Yeh Yeh and Grandma Irene.

And, here's proof that we had one of those rare family gatherings when almost everybody in a clan gets in one photo...This one below is a three-generation shot of the Kwee side of the family and pictures Daddy's Aunts and Uncles, his cousins, and their kids.

This one is from Great Great Uncle Cheong's 85th birthday picturing some of the Chia side of the family, including Uncle Cheong, Aunty Serene, Uncle Keng Tat, Aunty Michelle and Aunty Melinda, Uncle David, Aunty Bing Yin, Cousins Chris and Cheryl, and those other two people that always seem to hang out with Talya.

Aunty Ah Kee treated Talya extra special with homemade porridge and things like custom-prepared chicken and sweet potatoes. But Talya liked being in Aunty Ah Kee's arms best of all.

And, well...Talya's very happy to say that she majored in silliness with Aunty Ming. Here's a couple moments to remember

And finally, Daddy insists that it's too funny not to document Talya and Mama's moment of deeply shared enthusiasm for their respective meals while hanging out in Little India. num num.