Lina is 1 and a Half!

Lina´s development at the age of 18 months

Just thought about the fact that it was not really long ago that I wrote the story of Lina´s first birthday down, about her party, about the decoration. Now, another 6 months later, I think about her incredible progresses and developments again.

My babygirl grows unstoppably... 

• Big brother

Lina and Max make my heart burst with love... especially together. On the one hand there are tons of troubles coming up while they are playing but on the other hand there is nothing more heartwarming, funny and loving than those siblings.
Their communications are hilarious even though Lina only starts to talk. When she hurts or is just grumpy, Max is hugging her and telling "Come on... Max comfort!"... and Lina calms down at once! But...  he is hugging and hugging until... she cries again and is running into my arms.

Lina is imitating her brother so much that I often have trouble to find out wether a mischief was his or her idea. So I´m often blaming the wrong child and then they go to comfort each other because one is crying out of my strict words or serious face. I often have to concentrate not to laugh out loud.

• Communication

Lina´s vocabulary is pretty phenomenal... for a mama. I´m sure other people would still ask if that´s all she is saying. But that´s the way it is... I´m proud anyway.

So her words are: mama, papa, mats (for Max - but only if she wants to and not on request), hot, cold, ouch, ice, aa (for poo), ooohh (for astonishment), tats (when she gets hurt), meow

... and she is imitating some animals as well... like a fish or a rabbit but it´s difficult to write it down, haha! Nevertheless... her facial expressions are always hilarious.

• Movement

Lina is a whirlwind. I´m not used to an all-day jumping baby so it is quite exhausting to come along. Lina is jumping everywhere, is running instead of going and never ever holds still... except while reading. That´s her doubtless passion.

Fortunately she is very cautious and so she doesn´t hurt very often. In comparison to her spectacular moves it´s pretty awesome.

For about a week now Lina is going for extensive walks with opi and Max and not using a pram any more. They are en route for one and a half hours every day... I think this is great for her! Opi is taking both kids now and is doing the morning walks with both of them... and Max loves to have his sister´s  company so much that he is not refusing to leave home and mama any more.

• Eating

The first attempts of food and solids were not fun. Lina was starting with carrots and that´s all she liked for a while. As she is (still) a breastfeeding addict, she could not (and I think didn´t want) to understand why she should struggle with food.

So rejecting was the motto and this remained till around her first birthday. Then the attitude changed and she fell in love with solids. Sometimes she is eating more than her brother as he is still a bad eater (except there is one of his favs on the plate, haha).

Lina always wants to eat alone and protesting when somebody tries to feed her. That´s totally unthinkable... but she is doing great though. Eating a whole slice of bread in the morning, nursing and then lunch, a snack in the afternoon and dinner. Her favorites are: peas, cauliflower, stewed carrots, corn, red beans, plane pasta, mango, apple, avocado, coconut milk, sweet thai rice, mama´s bread... and (unfortunately) sweets in general.

• Sleeping

I´m glad Lina´s sleeping habits changed a lot as she was waking up about ten times a night. She is now content with one breastmilk meal around midnight... and waking in the morning around 8. So glad we are not whacked all day any more. 
Thank you so much, honey!

• Playing

My girl is such a loving mama already... is carrying her babies, changing nappies, dressing and undressing them, pushing the prams and spending tons of love. She is playing with blocks or cars too but you can definitely determine her favs... dolls and Schleich animals which she is carrying around, putting up, hiding and cuddling with endurance.

She is a passionater reader... yes, when I say reader I mean reader. When she takes books she is highly concentrated then... is commenting and babbling and having the most hilarious facial expressions, loves to show us her discoveries and is even laughing with herself. Oh how I love to observe her!

My precious little Lina,

What can I say... 
there are not enough words in the world to tell you how much I love you and what you gave and give me. No suitable words to attach the feelings I have for you. I always try to find words which are loving enough to express my deep love for you and to tell you how thankful I am that you are my daughter!

You are the sunshine of my life... I adore you!

Mama