Teeth

Just in case anyone was curious (I'm sure everyone's very curious), Tay still only has six teeth, but three more teeth have just broken through the gums, so perhaps she will have more in the near future.  :)

 

I just thought you should know.

 

Rosa

New Home and 14 Months!

The Ryals family has moved into a new home...a fabulous new apartment pretty close to where we used to live, but much larger and spacious.  And the neighborhood seems nice, too.  We just really love the space.  Tay seems to really love the new apartment, too.  I was a bit nervous that Tay might have a difficult time adjusting to the new place...but she loved being able to run around a spacious apartment and slept soundly in the new place following the same bedtime routine.  I was thankful.  It was quite hectic the past month while Jeff was gone to the states for training...Tay and I packed our weekends and evenings so that we wouldn't be sulking in the house missing Appa.  We had to spend Easter weekend all by ourselves, but Appa made it memorable anyway by setting up a sweet surprise for us Easter morning.  While he was away, Tay and I got together frequently with the Cortezes - we hung out, we went to Everland, we ate out, went to Lotte shopping at Toys R Us, etc...staying busy kept us focused and the days that Appa were gone went by quickly.  In the last week, we moved into the new place (!!!) and with the help of my friend Bun, we kinda got it a little in order.  We had the DeGay's over for dinner (with no dining room table or chairs), and we even bought two king size mattresses!  (Although, the point was only to buy one, but Umma didn't know that there was a difference between a California King and a regular King...ack!). 

 

Tay has already reached 14 months and she is growing, developing, advancing so rapidly!  She can identify her nose, her ears, her head and toes, and even occasionally her knees.  She recognizes songs like "if you're happy and you know it" and "baa baa black sheep" and when asked what sound does a sheep make, she goes "aaaaaaa."  She mimicks almost any silly sound you make...we got some on film, so we posted them on youtube.  She understands most simple commands like "please sit down here," "let's brush our teeth," "come here," "bring / give it to me," "would you like more?"  and many many many more!  IN BOTH LANGUAGES!  and even some in Tagalogue!  She knows how to clap her hands, stomp her feet, turn around, nod her head, wave byebye, bark like a Korean puppy, and swing her hips better than I can when a song with a nice beat comes on.  She loves dancing to music!  When she wakes up in the morning and she hears classical music, she grins really big and starts waving her hands around like she's conducting.  My baby, my beautiful baby, is learning so quickly and just amazing me every moment of every day...I can't believe how quickly she is developing! 

 

Lucky for Jeff and me, Tay still goes down around 8pm and wakes up around 6am, but lately, she's been waking up a little earlier because the sun is rising so much earlier!  The sun comes up at like 5am these days...so she's usually up by 5:15 and going "Umma, Umma, Appa, Appa"...wanting us to wake up and play with her.  It's so adorable we can't help but smile and wake up.  What a beautiful alarm clock we have!  :)

 

As for her communication development, she knows how to ask for more - she takes her finger and flips her bottom lip and tries to say "one more?"  Also, if she needs a drink of water, she'll fake a little cough and when I ask her "do you need some water?" she'll nod her head.  :)  Silly girl.  When she's all done, she'll raise and twinkle her hands.  When I tell her, "let's go brush our teeth," she'll take her finger and start mimicking brushing her teeth (and tongue).  If she wants us to come play with her in her play room (which we have built for her in the new apartment), she'll come and take our hands and walk us over to the playroom. 

 

Tay is the most affectionate baby I know...probably because I'm her mother and she loves me.  :)  She'll just be playing and suddenly she'll come over and plant a wet one on my face (or knee or arm or whatever part of my body is accessible to her at the moment).  She'll give hugs (not only to me, but to others she likes and especially other little children!).  She'll share her food and her toys with other kids occasionally.  She just loves other children, though...they make her very happy and she always wants to go hug them or kiss them...and she's ever so gentle...it's sweet to watch. 

 

I could just go on and on about my little Tay...she makes every day filled with laughter and smiles...even when I've had a rough day at work...I see her face and smile.  :)  I love her so much...

 

My little lady...Tay...how could motherhood be this wonderful?