10 things I will miss about my current stage of life...

...or rather, Sophie's current stage of life. Toddlerhood.

1. Her multiple night-wakings. Two milk feeds (previously it was three - we are into baby/toddler-led weaning, even though I am aware that nightly milk feeds could cause teeth decay, according to some sources. So far, so good. Tried other weaning approaches, but they failed ~) and other random night-waking moments whereby she sits up in bed, looks around, and crashes into her pillow again. Sometimes, she startles, cries, and kicks us in the face, but other times, she smiles happily at me. Occasionally, I have to help her to go back to sleep; thankfully, in the comfort of my own bed. Co-sleeping works best for us.

2. Waking up in the morning with her gazing at me. And saying, "Mama" with a sunny smile on her face when I finally open my eyes. And requesting that Duckie and Bear join us in bed for a while.

3. Her baby-talk, her partial and incomplete words, and her persistent demands for things even with the wrong words or no words. Cuteness overload. My favourite is "OHH..... PAAAA" for "open" and "Woe-woe..." for dog.

4. Keeping her safely at my side while walking in the mall or anywhere else is still relatively easy with a leash... um, I meant a harness. There will come a time when she will want to lepak without mummy and daddy around... because we are embarrassing her. To make no mention of the harness.

5. Her obsession for bubbles. Popping blown bubbles. Stirring soap bubbles. Bursting the bubble-wrap. Etc. "Bubba! Bubba!"

6. Her fascination for objects which could be dangerous. Wait, everything is dangerous. I will miss her curiosity - and her talent of turning everything into a toy or a lollipop.

7. Her baby/toddler sign language. Again, cuteness overload. Our hearts melt whenever she steers an invisible wheel for "drive car", rotates her fist for "ride motorbike", and claps her hands loudly (just once) in order to indicate that she saw a mosquito.

8. How easy it is for me to scare trick her into obedience... Don't wanna lie down for a nappy change? "Where is that hair-dryer? Vroom... vrooooooommmm...." (Sometimes, the hair-dryer is non-existent. We just pretend that there is a hair-dryer in one of the drawers or under the bed.) Don't wanna let us tape up the nappy properly? "Oooooh.... the cockroach might bite you down there..." Haha. She is not stupid or easily frightened though. These devices will soon lose their effectivity. (The hair-dryer trick is getting old. She now loves us to tease her with it. Running away from the hair-dryer is fun. Soon, it will be the cockroach.) But we will think of more. It is making us so creative.

9. Her energy levels - and her delight in running, jumping, climbing, and touching her head with her toes. While it is tiring for us to spot and supervise her (to think that I used to dream of being a gymnastics coach when I was younger), I would like to think that her physical activities are strengthening her muscles, making her supple and flexible, and keeping her fit. Furthermore, fit body, fit mind. Here's a good article to read pertaining to the matter.

10. Her tantrums. No sarcasm intended - but they are a sign that she's a normal toddler. For that, I thank God.