I'm pointing at you!

First steps!!!!

It's official! Kaylin took her very first steps yesterday. We knew it was a matter of days until she did it, but I didn't expect it to just happen...in the kitchen...while I rinsed peas. That's not how it happens on TV!

How do people ever catch their children's first steps on camera? You'd have to be on standby for days, just hovering over your baby with the video camera in your tired, shaking hand. Needless to say, we did not do that, so I have no picture or video for you. But it went something like this:

Kaylin: [stands, crouches, stands, crouches, stands with arms stretched wide]
Mommy: [puts peas down, approaches Kaylin with arms stretched wide]
Kaylin: [takes first steps into mommy's arms]
Mommy: "Bwaaaaaaaahhhh, you did it! You did it! Bwahhhhhhhhhhh!" [continues bawling for five minutes]

It was one of the most amazing moments of my life.

Kitties, kitties everywhere!

Great news for all you cat-lovers out there; Kaylin has said her first official word, and it's "kitty". While she may have pronounced the "words" dada and mama a few months ago, she never made the connection to Brian or me. But now, when she sees her white stuffed kitty that meme gave her, she points emphatically and says, "ki-eee!"

It's like that scene from "The Miracle Worker" when something clicks in little Helen Keller's mind as Anne Sullivan holds her hand under the water pump in the yard and she begins to understand language. "She knows! She knows!" we scream throughout the house, "She understands!" (OK, so it's not quite that dramatic, but still thrilling nonetheless!)

Kaylin knows more words too. While she looks through her favourite picture books, we can ask "where is the apple/banana/puppy?" and she points at the correct image. It's amazing!

The funniest word, however, is "duck". For months I've been singing the song "Five Little Ducks" to her, which includes me making quacking motions with my hands. Now when we say the word "duck" to Kaylin, she quacks her little hands! It's sign language at its finest. She also waves and claps on command.

She's our own little trick pony! I always wanted a pony.

Tick tick tick ...

The clock is ticking for Kaylin and me. In less than two short months, I'll be back at work and my little baby will be in day care. Our glorious days together are numbered, and the worst part is -- she doesn't have a clue.

That has to be the absolute hardest part: knowing that Kaylin won't understand what's going on. Why is mommy suddenly not there? Where did she go? As far as she is concerned, things are how they are. Kaylin and mommy spend every day together. That's life, the only life she's ever known.

Unfortunately, the mortgage doesn't get smaller on its own and the line of credit won't pay off itself. So with heavy hearts, we're sending Kaylin to day care. It will probably be harder on me than her, or at least that's what I tell myself when I can't bear to imagine how those first few difficult days will be. But I know she's going to a great place, with care providers who believe the same things we do and who will respect and love our child (maybe not quite as much as we do). She's going to grow and learn so much. And she'll be surrounded by other active kids and lots of fun and challenging toys.

As for me, I'm going to be sad. There's no other way to put it. I will be terribly and utterly sad. What began as the most challenging year of my life has become the most joyous. Kaylin is a wonderful, happy baby and a pleasure to be with. So until that day care day comes, I'll continue to enjoy every little moment, marvel at every new discovery, laugh at every hilarious expression, and snuggle into every warm hug. I'm going to make every second last!

Zooming along

I've got about 2 minutes before my little angel wakes from her nap, so I'm just going to post a quickie. Here's a pic of Kaylin walking with her car (a hand-me-down from cousins Josh and Kim). She zips and zooms around the house like a pro now. (Special thanks to cousin Kiera for demonstrating the joys of walking a few weeks ago!)

Go, Kaylin, go!