In the past month Milla’s language has really take off. No words have been uttered as such, but she is now using that gorgeous baby-babble and the consonant sounds are flowing beautifully.
So far we have lots of ‘dada’ (for daddy) ’soso’ (for Sonny the dog) nana (for Nanny or banana – we are still not sure which as she is passionate about both) and papa (for Pa).
But it seems that Milla has not yet added the incredibly important word ‘mama’ to her vocabulary.

The health nurse assured me she would be mouthing and babbling the words she hears most of all. So naturally I made enthusiastic attempts to corrupt her language development. ‘Mama’ and ‘Mummy’ were frequently used words throughout the day. My quest failed and I am now wondering if she thinks because I say it so much, she doesn’t need to!

I write this as just one example of my horrid behaviour over the past few months.

Without realising it, I have become the type of mother who is too focussed on Milla reaching milestones without really enjoying what’s happening in the present and I have written about this before. Milla learns one thing and I am quickly turning towards the next. Now that she can crawl, and not just commando – the real deal, I think about how she should be moving on to standing and cruising.

I have had a stern talking to myself, and my husband who is equally horrified by my ridiculous behaviour, had a few words to say too.
So I’ve decided I am not going to do this any more. I am not going to compare my baby to another, wondering and worrying if my baby is on track. I am not going to worry about the small things that will not matter in a week or a months time (I mean, it’s not like I’m going to have a 5 year old who isn’t able to walk herself into the classroom that very first day).

We are blessed with a healthy baby and if she walks at 22 months like her father did, that’s strange, but ok. If she doesn’t say ‘mama’ for many months to come, that’s ok too.

Everyone warns you how fast your baby grows and already I wonder where my tiny, sleepy, premature newborn went.
Life certainly is too short to wish it away, so I will be trying my hardest from now on to live in the moment and enjoy every little bit.

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baby by amy