Babybel's first sentence was...

"Papa est la... Mama est la!" (Daddy is there, Mummy is there) whilst pointing to the top shelf of the cabinets. Seeing my motionless body and mouth agape she insisted again that "Papa est la... Mama est la!". I turned around and looked straight into a photo of Kev and myself in Switzerland. Indeed, Papa IS there and Mama IS there.

There's nothing wrong in Babybel speaking french since we are in France, you exclaim. But she hasn't been to school for almost 2 weeks due to the summer holidays so she hears only english 24/7. French tv has been limited to at most 1 hour a day. So where did that phrase come from? And in a sentence?

Even stranger, Babybel has taken to calling me "Maman" (Mummy) sometimes. Yesterday she started to say "allo" on her toy phone instead of Haaar-low. Kevin thinks that she's stored up all these french terms in her head and it's starting to come out now that she's mastered her moto skills. What do you think?

So voila! My little french speaking girl... Now will you start speaking some english sweetie?

Dear Papa Kevin,
It's been almost a month that we've left Paris. Time flies doesn't it? Well, the only way we can see this is through Babybel. She's changed little physically, but developmentally, well, there are many many things that she couldn't do in Paris when we left at 10mths old but can now. And there are many things that she couldn't do well before but can do easily now at 11mths old.

Let's start with the physical attributes:
- she's about 9.4kg, up from 8.9kg when she first got here
- she's at least 70cm long. (don't have a measuring tape, so not so accurate here)
- she's sprouted 2 more teeth, with 2 more peeking out
- her hair is still unruly and wavy at the ends, but longer

Movements:
- she's a speeding bullet on all fours
- she's a drunken sailor on two (walks from one end of the room to the other), complete with little sways, and bumps on the bum
- if you hold her hand, she runs
- she can stand from a sitting position with great ease

- she can climb (watch out!)

Intellectually:
- she answers when you call her name
- she understands: come here, water, NO!, sniff, hug, flower, bunny, book, Sophie the Giraffe and probably other words that I'm not aware of
- recognises words from her favourite book and bursts into giggles whenever you say them
- very curious about how things work, especially things that she sits in
- can play chase
- can drum on table and clap hands in sequence
- says papa when I'm the phone with you or when she sees you on the camera
- says mum mum when she knows food is near
- says a-ma for grandma
- can't say kong kong but she knows who he is and will pat him if she is near enough when you ask where's kong kong?
- says mama for mummy (but not very often, only when she's looking for me apparently)
- knows how to work the sliding door
- she knows how to hug
- bring books to you so that you can read to her
- share toys
- pull things off tables (yikes!) but also put them back... er...throw them back

That's what I can think of at the moment. Will update when I think of more. Our little Babybel has grown and she's lovely!

We can't wait to see you next week.

xoxo

Babybel & Me

More pearly whites!

Babybel's teething again. This time, it's her 3 lateral incisors with the fourth one making an appearance soon. She's obviously taking this well. Just lots of drool, biting her bunny, toys, and the worst being waking up her mummy EARLY at 5.30am in the morning. Guess will be looking out for her canines soon, according to this chart. Droool....

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands...

Baby Bel loves it when we clap for her. The past week or so, I've been showing her how by bringing her hands together repeatedly. Today when I went to get her in the morning, I placed her on the change mat to change her diaper and.... YEP! You guessed right! She clapped! It wasn't as fast as furious as you and I can clap. But it was a definite attempt in bringing her hands together and clapping... three claps in fact... no sound yet, but the action's there! What a gal! She's such a fast learner!

A FIRST for the First of August!

Here's the photo of the day... a couple of months back, when she was a dear little 3mth old who couldn't crawl, didn't like to be on her tummy and didn't need Mummy to chase after her. = )

Go Head!

For a few months now, Baby Bel has been crawling... crawling backwards that is. Finally today, she made a few paces forwards! YAY BABY BEL! Go Head! Not Go Stan (backwards in Malay)!

Needless to say, Grandpa and Grandma were cheering her on and clapping her every step forward, putting all her little toys out of reach so that she could crawl towards them. With a look of determination she would pull her little legs and arms into co-ordinated movements. And each time she reached her toy, she would look up with pride and laugh at all the fuss that was made over her achievement. Way to go Babes!

Here's a photo of her just before her launch. Will load up the video when we get back to Paris.

What's new on the menu today Grandpa?

Persimmons

Verdict: These persimmons are grown from my parents' garden. They had a lovely harvest this year. Here, Kong Kong (Grandpa) is letting Baby Bel suck on a slice of the sweet orange coloured fruit. Other times, we mash up the persimmon and add the juice to her morning cereal. When this is on the menu, we can hardly keep up with her. Baby Bel's mouth is often wide open before we can fill her spoon with more! 5/5

Could this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship?

Well it could be. Although it might be helpful if Mummy remembered how to spell his name. This is my friend, Madeleine's son. He's got a very unique name and I'm not sure how to spell it. Will check and post it up as soon as I get back to Paris.

Looks as if it's Baby Bel that makes the first move, and he's being coy.


But after a while, he's got his arms around Baby Bel. Wonder what Daddy will have to say about that darling!

What's new on the menu Grandma?

Exotic Local Fruits

We wanted to let her try some local fruits, so...

Papaya with Cereal

Verdict: Baby Bel certainly loved the soft sweet orange flesh. 4/5

Durian

We let her try only a little of the King of Fruits as it's a very "heaty" fruit and Baby Bel was already finding the weather intolerable.

Verdict: I don't think she liked it very much. Will let her try it again when we're back in January. It would be unfathomable if she grew up disliking this when her mummy loves it so much! 1/5

Happy Father's Day

As we would already be in Singapore by then, we celebrated it a few days earlier. We went back to the same bistro that we celebrated Mother's Day. This time both of us had the club sandwich. Yes, the craving was still around. And we remembered the camera! Here's the adoring daughter, the doting father and me (in the reflection)

We proceeded to the Palais de Jardin for a walk after lunch. It was such a warm day! Baby Bel enjoyed the sunshine on her face...

for a little while... before ending in cries of demand to be whisked home for a bath and bed.

What's on the menu today Mummy?

Pea purée with potato
Verdict: This went down quite well, even if it wasn't a very smooth mixture. 3/5

What's new on the menu today Mummy?

Homemade Apricot and apple purée with cereal
Verdict: This was a winner. Apricots were a little sour, but with the help of some sweet apple purée, Baby Bel was clamouring for more. 5/5

Happy Mother's Day!

For my very first Mother's Day, Kev and Baby Bel brought me to a very nice bistro just outside Kev's office. You see, I'd been having cravings for club sandwiches... NO! I'm not pregnant. For those of you who know me, I get cravings for different types of food all the time, when I'm not pregnant that is. Once I had laksa every day for a week. Another time I had to have the double cheese burger from Burger King for every meal.

Anyway, we had a lovely terrace seat. The club sandwich was awesome! Baby Bel also gave me a present. And that was to sit through the ENTIRE lunch of 2 hours without crying or fidgeting. She was such an angel! Unfortunately, we forgot the camera, but here we are back home after our fantastic afternoon together.

What's new on the menu today Mummy?

Mango purée with cereal
Verdict: Baby Bel wasn't too sure of this. Was shown a wrinkly frown and she was reluctant to open her mouth for more. I think it was because it wasn't very ripe so was a little sour. Next time will add some apple purée to it. 2/5

What's new on the menu today Mummy?

Banacado (Banana & Avacado)

Verdict: Baby Bel loved the mashed up Banacado. As this particular dish is uncooked, it's a lot more nutritious for her. However, she couldn't finish everything as it was too rich, so mummy finished it for her and it was DELICIOUS! I think I'll serve this at the next dinner party that we have.

Baby Bel 5/5

Mummy 5/5

Baby Bel's First Surprise Party... almost

This saturday we were planning to go to Alex's Surprise birthday (which starts at 11am). Operation Get-out-of-house was was in action at the first signs of her waking up from her nap at 10.40am. That translates to Mummy getting the food ready while Daddy finishes up on his emails (yes, even on a saturday). Daddy feeding her, and Mummy getting the baby bag ready. Then Mummy making sure that Baby Bel is cleaned up, creamed up and dry. Daddy takes over and dresses her up into a pretty outfit, while Mummy changes. Hold the clean and dressed Baby Bel at arms length (in case she pukes) and put into pram. Then it's everyone's shoes and coat, garbage, bags, pram... ZOOM out the door! Time check 11.25am. Phew!

Made a quick pitstop at La Defence to pick up Alex's present. We got him a lovely remote controlled helicopter which he loved (of course). Stopped for a little entrée as it was already 12.45pm, we can always eat to our fill at the BBQ later. The party was held at Anne's parents' place in the suburbs. We got there at 14.30pm.... kinda late, but still plenty of cars parked along the road... er hang on... how come the party is a few doors away from the address that we were given?

A quick phonecall... and SURPRISE!!!! The surprise party was cancelled!!! Didn't you get the email??? Anyway, we were invited to coffee and some éclairs au chocolat. We had a lovely time together nonetheless. And that's never surprising with them.

Trying to take a photo of a kid is always difficult... now add another THREE kids...


And a shot just of the girls - Clemence & Baby Bel.

BON ANNIVERSAIRE ALEX!

What's new on the menu today Mummy?

1. Natural yoghurt with pear compote
Verdict: a quizzical look, failing arms and legs to indicate a YES! Five spoonfuls later, a frown, a grimace, noting the sourish taste... spits everything out... Our girl has delayed taste buds... 2/5

I remember that I had asked one of Kevin's friends what she was feeding her son that day (who was as they say in France, "costo", meaning well rounded and big but not fat). When she said courgette, I nearly fainted. Huh? Courgette? Isn't that like "big people" food? Okay, then I was not a mum, neither was I pregnant. I thought young babies only ate cereal.

So here I am, making courgette for my baby. Yes! Homemade courgette purée so that she'll grow up to be big and strong.

Baby Bel waiting to be fed... Look at her happy face when she spots the food. (Check out her teeth)

2. Sweet potato with homemade courgette (zucchini) purée
Verdict: Grins, smiles, laughs, vigorous arms, legs and head movements, a resounding YUMMY! Give me more courgette tomorrow Mummy!!! 5/5

What's new on the menu today Mummy?

Nestlé Pear with Cereal
Verdict: According to Mathew, Isabelle loved it! She swallowed it really fast and looked sad when it was all gone... 5/5

What's new on the menu today Mummy?

Homemade sweet potato purée
Since this is Mummy's very first homemade purée, Baby Bel is sure to love it! Oh okay, and the fact that it's sweet helps too.

Verdict: This is hands down the best carbohydrate she's ever ever eaten! Don't worry Belle, Mummy will make this often for you. It's also very good for you! 5/5

Ladies and gentlemen, I think we have a gourmand here!

What's new on the menu today Mummy?

Banana with Cereal
Verdict: The smashed and gooey banana mixed in with rice cereal and some milk was gulped and slurrrpped down in no time. Even I wanted to have some! (actually I did have some - it was really fragrant!) I think we have a new favourite fruit here! 5/5

So bite me!

So guess what I found today when Baby Bel and I were playing??? Two little white ridges poking through a wall of pink. Yep! Baby Bel has her pearly whites!

No wonder she's been salivating so much... although I'm told that babies do this regardless. She'd also been biting on lots on things, especially her hands, sometimes pushing them so far in that she gags (roll eyes).


On the other hand, this paranoid mummy was a little sorry to see the teeth. I rationalise that the earlier they appear, the higher the chance of them getting damaged before the permanent teeth appears. That might mean that her permanent teeth would also appear earlier, and there'll be a higher chance of cavities etc etc.... yes, yes, mummy worries and ramblings. Husband thinks I'm crazy. We're just thankful that for her first teeth she didn't need to go through the fever and the crankiness. But maybe she did and we just thought that it was, well, normal.

We tried to take a photo of the teeth but didn't manage to. She wasn't exactly a very willing participant. Maybe this is what a trip to the dentist will resemble! We'll try again.