Almost a year has passed..

.. and a third birthday! Kylee stands at 37.5 inches now, can walk, run, climb, reach almost anything in the place, and is learning to ice skate.

Her powers of hearing and general observation have always been top notch, but now she understands enough around her that it is impossible to get away with anything. She is always alert.

So what else is new?

Her tastes are changing in what she watches on Treehouse TV. Last year, it was 'In the Night Garden', then Barney and 'Toopy and Binoo', and now Dora, Diego and 'Max and Ruby'. She seems unmoved by anything which includes bears and other animals, and it is reflected in her choice of favourite toys. She has been bought bears but ignores them except for one recently. I got it for her before she was a year old, and it is only now that she is starting to carry it around with her.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse have caught her attention too, but the reality is that she only likes the Mickey Mouse and the 'hot diggety dog' songs. There was a Mickey Mouse ride in one of the malls close to us that she liked, but not to ride on unless she shared with another child. On her own, she would sit on the ride and give Mickey a hug, but that is all. No coins required.

The ride has been removed from the mall for reasons unknown, but it is still referred to as the 'Mickey mall' and she still likes to go there. I get some Eastern Indian snacks for lunch, and the same stall just happens to sell kiddie size ice cream cones which go down very well. In the mall is also a 'dollar store' which has baskets on wheels and with long handles, ideal for a three year old to drag around and load up with goodies. Her favourites are 'ring pops' and Maynards Gummy Bears, and she always picks a chocolate bar for me.

I have always encouraged her to share stuff, primarily by example. I try to share whatever I have within reason for a three year old and she is very comfortable with the concept and is eager to reciprocate. Her stock phrase is "I like to share with Babba". This extends to any foodstuff, including her favourite ice cream. She is a very good sharer with everybody, but take liberties with her and you will get the 'look'..

Kylee likes to be useful. It started with cleaning things, the TV screen, the floor etc. She is less inclined to cleaning these days, and has turned her efforts to helping me fix things, to cook with me and bake with her grandmother.

Out and about, she is a pleasure. She likes visual stimuli and is easily pleased. She is as happy to wander through a mall, looking in shop windows, walking backwards, twirling like a ballerina, using hand cleanser stations, sharing a bag of Maynards Gummy Bears as she would be walking through Toys 'R Us. She just likes the thrill of going out and doing grown up things. Even grocery shopping has its pleasures, like the cart at one store which is dressed up in a racing car body.

Her speech is remarkable. Gone is the baby babble. There are still one or two words I don't always understand, but one can have a regular conversation with her now, and she puts herself across, thoughts and feelings, exceptionally well. She also likes to sing, and while travelling around in the Jeep, she gives a full show of talk, songs and general observations as we pass landmarks.

She continues to be kind, thoughtful and caring, and is a truly magical child. Yes, she has her spats now and again, but with so many places to go and so many people to see, sometimes the frustration of having to wait for the 'olds' to catch up is more than she can stand.

Kylee is the ONLY person who gets a hug from me. I am not a 'huggy' type person at all, but in her case, I always make an exception. It is an important part of being one of Kylee's buddies, and I am honoured to be on her buddy list.

It sounds like gobbeldy-gook..

.. but babies have a language which they all seem to understand, a unique combination of fairly basic monosyllabic tones and gestures made with the face and eyes. This is quickly followed by rapid fire gobbledy-gook as they learn to move their tongues around their mouths. As unintelligible as it may sound, there is structure in it, and because I was watching Kylee to see what she would do next, I began to tie sounds to needs and wants. I never did reach full fluency, but it made for less fractious times than there would otherwise have been.

As time progressed, the rapid fire talk was replaced by properly structured statements. For instance, she hurt herself on something in the kitchen area, and when asked where she hurt herself, she replied ‘on the cupboard’. This was one large step especially as at the age she was, multi-syllabic words are not supposed to be possible. I have learnt that anything is possible in the world of a toddler.

The way to a person’s heart..

I am not well versed in caring, coping or catering for a small child, so first meeting at six months was not easy. There was no doubt in my mind that she was and still is the cutest looking child but I couldn’t help but wonder what one did with such a small helpless ‘package’.

She couldn’t crawl, walk or run, and the importance of Formula One racing passed her by completely. I was at a loss. Laying down did not look like anything that I could share with her, so I did what any male would do, and withdrew to my corner. Grandma was able to cope easily enough, and I wrote it down to the fact that ‘it must be a girl thing’.

By this time, I was told that Kylee had passed the ‘crying for seemingly no good reason’. Phew. I had heard accounts where babies can cry for what seems like forever, and I was glad that this phase was gone. She was able to sit up in a high chair well enough, and whenever I passed, there was a welcoming smile. Liquid food was still the norm, but she could manage ‘baby’ treats, and I was amazed by her dexterity with them. Her tiny hands picked them up easily and she could even recover treats that had made it into her lap.

So, one day I was asked if I would give her some baby food (the stuff in jars on sale at all good grocery stores and pharmacies), and I agreed as it appeared to be a simple enough task. Only one spoonful made it onto my clothes, and the noises she made while being fed assured me that she was 100% appreciative.

Accompanying each spoonful was a big smile, and she nodded her head from side to side, giggling the entire time. Maybe it was the way I delivered the food on the spoon. Whatever the reason, we both survived the experience and it gave me the courage to actually offer to feed her next time.

Some of the most rewarding experiences in life are just the little things, and I am obliged to say that this was one of those times.. 

Hi

I should have started this blog eighteen months ago but, to be honest, I thought that another member of the family would do it. Nothing has been forthcoming, so here is my account of a small child growing up, and the effect that she has had on me.

In case you are wondering why I picked the title for this blog, here is a photo of my grand-daughter. This was her first excursion in snow at around one year old.

She is a little ray of sunshine who garners smiles from all who come into contact with her. Even when she is not feeling 100%, she hands out joy and love in handfuls. We could all learn much from her.

Her name is Kylee, and she says 'Hi' to all of you.