my little lunatic

Gaby was in a very crazy mood earlier this morning! Everything she did made her laugh - and made ME laugh. She kept climbing on me, kissing me, squealing, pulling clothes off the chair - to name but a few things. Toward the end of her little crazy-girl-mood, it was getting a bit old, possibly because I was trying to tidy the lounge, and she was making it near impossible! It reminded me a lot of Terri when she used to get hyper on Brown Sugar. Note to self: Gaby is no longer eating Porridge with Poppa.

her new favourite accesory - Kai's hat!

The little poppet continues to amaze me more and more each day. The last week she's REALLY become a little person, as opposed to a baby or infant - when she talks in her little protolangauge, you can tell that she's having a real 'conversation', and what she is saying has meaning. New words this week include 'light' and 'Gaby', along with 'biscuit' and 'baby'... What next? Every word I say she seems to try and copy, so I'm making an effort to be a bit more careful with my choice of language I am using, and also to use language properly. Y'know speak real proper like.

"Yes Mummy, I'm sound asleep"
... a photo taken when Gaby was meant to be asleep in bed last night
(it looks like the light is on, but that's the flash)

In 3 days we leave for the start of our journey to Hong Kong. Friday after Kai finishes work we're heading down to Temuka - where we'll stay with Deb & Mark. Saturday we will make our way down to Dunedin - where we are going to stay with Sue & the girls. Sunday we are going down to Gore (of all places), so that Kai can pick up some parts for his car - so I'll use this as an opportunity to stop in & visit Teresa, Josh & Bryce! Sunday we'll be heading back to Dunedin - and Kai will be making his way back to Christchurch. Monday - well, Monday is D-Day. At approx 5pm we get on a plane & leave for Hong Kong - via Christchurch & Auckland! I am nervous about how Gaby is going to be on the plane, but I'm going to try not to worry about it. I can't control what is going to happen, so no point stressing about it! I wonder if Gaby will realise that she's going on a PLANE!?

my little helper!

Gaby helped me unpack the groceries today! It was pretty dang cute - even if it took about 10x as long as it usually would have! She got all the cans out, one by one & handed them to me, then the packets, boxes & stuff for the fridge. Very adorable! I wonder if she can just go and do the groceries by herself next time?

This weekend is Gaby's first easter where she'll be able to delight in all of the chocolatey benefits of the holiday! I bought her a hollow egg last week - but of course I got in a grump and slammed the bag containing the egg on the ground. Oops. One smashed egg! I got her a hollow Cadbury egg today, and was very careful with it, and now it is stashed in the top of my pantry, awaiting... hmm, whatever day you're meant to eat easter eggs on!

Today Gaby is playing with her friend Josh, while I go out - Serena is being fabulous and watching her again. Hopefully they won't get into too much mischief! I have put Gaby to bed so that she won't need a nap this afternoon - and fingers crossed, won't be tooooo grizzly for Serena! It's so cute seeing Gaby & Josh playing together, especially now that they are old enough to interact with one another.

potty time?

Gaby has made it pretty clear that she knows when she's going to do wee's or poo's.... Mum has mentioned a few times that perhaps now is the time to start thinking about potty training my little Gablet, and I think she's right.

Obviously 16 1/2 months is still pretty young to be starting the potty training, so I think I will go into it more as potty-getting-used-to for a start. I will try and get her to sit on the toilet daily - but if she doesn't want to, I will follow her lead and leave it for awhile. I don't expect her to do anything in the potty at this age or stage, but if she does, it'll certainly be met by lots of praise & excitement!

Potty training seems to be a big milestone to me - the milestone that makes her more child than baby. I don't want my baby to grow up! But, it is also really exciting! All these milestones seem to creep up on me really fast, but before I know it... another milestone has passed!

We go to HK in under 3 weeks now, and I am still feeling pretty apprehensive bout the flying aspect of the trip - but really, it is only 12 hours out of our trip (well 24 there and back), so if the experience is bad, so be it.. Her passport arrived yesterday morning which was very exciting - she seems too little to have a passport for international travel!

"no Gaby" "no" "don't do that Gaby" "GABRIELLE"

busted doing something naughty!

Oh man... my daughter is a monster!!! The past while Gaby has been getting into EVERYTHING. I think that all I say is "no Gaby, don't do that", "Gaby - no!", "Gabrielle!", "GABRIELLE!!!". This morning after turning the TV on & off about 20 times, while laughing at me the entire time - and running straight back to the TV after I would move her away, she proceeded to pull all the wipes out of the wipes pack - while I was cleaning that up, she started playing with the stereo - got a hell of a fright when she turned it up & messed up the tuner.... THEN it was into the pantry (oh crap, when did she start being able to get in there?) and pulling food onto the floor. I was sorting out the pantry - and Gaby was into her pre-school bag, pulling out all the contents.... What else did she play with? God only knows, but I see now that the wipes are back on the floor. Moral of the story?? Put everything about two metres off the ground!!!!!!! (yes, I know I could put things away too!).

stealing my phone
....while I'm cleaning up one of her messes!

She seems to be laughing at me constantly - in a cheeky way which I know means she is plotting against me. It's a pity it's so bloody adorable!!! I can't help but laugh at her, which doesn't help the matter at all - only serves to encourage her. Trust me, if I could keep a straight face and be stern - I would!!!!!!!

Dancing seems to be one of her favourite things to do as well. She will stand there, rocking side to side, clapping her hands, wiggling her fingers around, sometimes moving her head side to side, crouching down & then standing up. Beautiful - it's just beautiful (and cute) to watch! Her favourite song at the moment seems to be 'Don't Stop The Music' by Rhianna, and 'Bleeding Love' by Leona Lewis. They must do dancing a bit at preschool I think - either that or she's naturally a musical little monkey!!!