Kaia turned 1 year old yesterday! She celebrated with a day out in Florence, although to be honest, she likely would've been just as content playing at home with all of us. The birthday girl did quite enjoy her lunch of lasagna, garlic spinach, and classic Tuscan soup, however. We plan on having a proper party for her once we are back in Japan.
Kaia still has no inclination to try walking, or even standing by herself for that matter. She obviously has strong legs as will support herself when standing on our laps, and she still quite often does 'downward dog'. I've concluded that she's just a lazy baby and only wants to be held. Maybe she will walk by the time she's 12.
Kaia loves to imitate and play games, and will happily chatter away to anyone willing to listen. She quite often talks back to whomever is chatting to me (as I'm holding her), likely assuming they must to speaking to her and not Mommy.
Most commonly used words are still 'MO!!!' (More), banana, Hiiiii, Bye-bye, and some words that probably only we can make out such as her name for Keila and when she's asking for milk.
Favorite games include 'baby monster' (she growls when we say it); and hitting whomever is closest when someone says 'ouch!'. That one I taught her on accident, trying to show her that putting your hand near the hot stove meant 'ouch!'. Only apparently it looked like hitting, and seeing as hitting does get the same reaction, it's stuck.
Other favorite activities include taking items from packages, boxes, or bags, examining them, and sometimes then putting them all away again. Repeat process as long as Mommy doesn't catch her rifling through forbidden items.
Kaia also knows that socks and shoes go on feet, and hats go on heads, although she isn't particularly keen that they stay on. We've lost too many socks to count already.
Kaia is really into 'big people' food and doesn't want any baby food any more, other than baby crackers or things she can feed herself. Plain yogurt is still acceptable, but nothing else smooth unless adults are eating it. She will eat lots of things she loves, so thankfully for this week, Italian food is a hit!
Kaia is still little and was only 8.4 kg when I last checked her. This is average for a fully Japanese baby, so maybe she's just going to be on the small side overall. I forgot to see how long she is, but she seems healthy enough.
Until next month....
