Cake video clip

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Cut and paste the above address into your address toolbar to see Inka asking for cake when having her dinner. Shes using baby signing to express her needs and its amazing how many signs she knows. She often hears us talking referring to words she knows and does the sign. I didn't even think she was listening. Just shows, little ears pick up everything. Actually the sign she uses for cake means "difficult" in sign language.

Cake!

Some photos for Inka`s adoring fans...We discovered a beautiful place called Tilgate Park in Crawley on a sunny bank holiday. A picnic next to the Lake kept Inka amused as she played with apples I brought. Roaming dogs made her point and giggle. Inka has become very good at asking and doing her own sign for "cake" which we have discovered she thinks is anything with sugar in it. She loved the remains of my ice cream and got it all over her. At the moment she loves going for a walk as you hold her arms. She loves it when you walk really fast with her. As she hasn't started walking yet she loves being upright this way and cries when you stop. Very exhausting. Shes communicating so well with signs and words. Although sometimes the sounds are not well articulated, she can say amongst others, the words "gone" "tea" "hot" and "custard" and "pasta". I just sit in absolute awe.

First birthday

Inka`s first birthday. We went to Bluebird cafe on the Seafront for a cup of tea in the afternoon. Inka got a ride on her daddy`s shoulders and got really excited when dogs tottered by. In the evening Andy`s parents came round for the opening of the presents. I was amazed as in the week before hand, card after card arrived for Inka and then Australian parcels graced our doorstep for her. She got the hang of ripping the paper off the presents. Great Gran and Grandad Wareham gave her a little doll which we all thought we heard her call "Emma". I made her a birthday carrot cake which she seemed to enjoy. Im such a mum, thinking up ways to get those vegetable in! I gave Inka her last breast feed a few days ago. She hasnt seemed too bothered about it. I think Im more upset than she is. Its one of first and many steps towards her being more independent from me. I remind myself that being a mum is all about embracing the process of letting go.

Home Sweet Home

Its been too long since I wrote last. Our trip to South Africa seems ages ago now. I was so homesick after coming back mostly because it was so special being with the family again. My brother is newly married...all grown up now! Angela, my sister came down from Escourt (near Durban) with Hash her hubbie and my niece and nephew. It was fun having all the children playing together and Inka meeting her cousins. Inka was rather poorly to start with, getting conjunctivitis and generally being very clingy and unhappy. I so wanted the family to see she is a sociable fun little baby. I think she gave a wrong impression as she wasn't at all well. She cheered up alot after the medication kicked in. We took her to swim with the penguins. She likes water but couldn't get to grips with the fact that beach has sea water that is cold, it moves and it has this funny grainy stuff underfoot. While we were at my mum and dads she started crawling really well and climbing the stairs...get those stair gates on! She made friends with Xena the dog even though Xena just wanted to lick her all the time (YUCK!).

NO!!!

Well well... Inka seems to have come on leaps and bounds after Christmas. She has started to get herself around, following me everywhere by pulling herself on her tummy. Just started getting on all fours and rocking. The Christmas tree decorations get pulled off but that's our fault because we should have taken the Christmas decorations down by now! She seems very determined and knows how to express herself. Shakes her head for NO and throws little tantrums when you take something she wants away, grumbles when she wants to be picked up...at least now she has a range of expressions. Shes less frustrated and I'm really enjoying the communication with her. Ive given in my resignation at school and it feels good. Ill miss the wonderful department at the college but I been thinking theres no way I can foster well and look after Inka if I'm trying to balance that with teaching. It does make you think about what your identity is and how a job or what you do can affect that, but I feel confident that my time with Inka and other young people in our care is very valuable.

Baby`s first Christmas

Inkas first Christmas went really well. It was magical to have all Andy`s family there, Matthew, his brother joined us this year. He made me laugh with his competitive spirit and determination to play as many board games as he could fit into an evening. I didn't think it was possible to meet someone more competitive than me. Inka opened her presents between eating and sleeping and as I predicted seemed fascinated with the wrapping paper...shes stopped eating paper though which is always reassuring for a mum.

Mine!

Well, the exhibitions over now and it was so good to finally see it up and done. Its been something on the horizon since last year when I was pregnant. I'm glad I have achieved something Ive done apart from baby and family, which are, of course important and I love. Its just nice to have something that's mine and only mine. Healthy I hope. Christmas is here and I'm busy buying presents and doing little things. Not sure if we have 9 or 13 people for Christmas dinner.I like having lots of people round that's what I'm used to I suppose. It never seems right just a few of us. Its also Inka`s first Christmas. She gets really excited when she sees the Christmas tree lights and I suspect although she wont remember it she will get the most presents.