"Grasshopper"

This week I resumed swimming after all my spots disappeared; I went to Baby Gym at the Y; I learned to blow a kiss; I walk around on my tip-toes; I have started putting objects down gently instead of throwing them all.

I enjoy eating plums all by myself - first I skin them bit by bit using my teeth, then I eat the flesh; I love my freshly squeezed orange juice every day. Sometimes, I will turn down my food, and sometimes I will demand something to hold instead being spoon-fed, but I always drink my juice and eat my fruit - I prefer chomp on a whole banana than having it cut up for me. Gugu says that I am just beginning to assert my personality.

I learnt the word for "angry" in both English and Chinese: Grandma told me off for messing with my food by wagging her finger at me. When I was naughty again, she asked me to show her what she did when she was angry, so I wagged my finger back at her. Now, I have been practising by adding a little grunt [learned from grandpa] when I wag my finger. I sometimes wag my finger pre-emptively if I have been naughty. It gets me off the hook because the grown-ups roar with laughter at me.

Today, Papa went to have his haircut, and took me with him. The staff at the hairdressers all lavished their attention on me for half an hour until it was my turn. This little sheep did not like the thought of being sheared, and bleated in protest when facing the clippers. I cried and struggled, so Papa and Grandma had to console me and hold my head still. When it was all over, I just knew I had to wag my finger at Mr. Frederick who cut my hair, and also at Papa and Grandma for their part in this ordeal. To add insult to injury, Grandma says that I now look like a shaolin monk, and Gugu is calling me 'Grasshopper'. Fortunately, my hair is now soooo short that I won't need to have it cut again, ever ;-).

Don't yike bedtime

This week, Papa would not allow me to go swimming, because I still have some scabs on my skin after my injection last week. I did however go to the Y for Baby-Gym with Grandma and Grandpa. There were lots of interesting equipment, but would only play with the ball and watch the other children do their thing. Maybe I will use more of the other equipment next time.

Today, Papa took me out for dim-sum with Uncle Peter and his sister's family. Aunty Jacqui, Uncle Rodney their lovely children Zoë and Jonathan were also there. I wore some new long trousers which gugu bought me. I sat next to Zoë, and I was on my best behaviour.

Gugu took me to the flower market this week, and I was excited to see all the colours and shapes and sizes. We came home with some lovely plants which grandma is teaching me to care for every day. Grandma taught me some more names of plants, but for the moment and until I master all the sounds and words, plants are all covered by the same noun, 'fa' which I pronounce as 'dja'.

Papa comes home from work just in time to put me to bed, so I equate seeing Papa with bedtime, and I'm not always pleased to see him then. On Friday, I stayed up a bit later than usual to wait up for Papa to get home. I was already very tired and hyperactive by the time he stepped in through the door. I first smiled when I saw him, then I backed off and refused to let him pick me up when I realised that he would put me to bed. I was not very cooperative when he changed me and I wailed for a few minutes when he put me to bed. I don't think Papa will want to put me to bed any more ;-).

Postcard from Berlin

This week, I had another appointment with Dr. Bean, this time to be inoculated against chicken pox. I cried out when she stuck the needle in my bottom. I did not have a temperature this time round. She also recorded that I am 82cm tall, and weigh 12.4kg, which still puts me in the top 10% of children my age. Dr Bean declared I was healthy and normal, but expressed surprise that I still don't say very much. I understand quite a lot, and I choose to respond only when it suits me.

Somebody always follows me around, and I usually get what I want by pointing and making a noise, so there's not much need to express myself verbally right now. I can speak a few words, I learned to say the Chinese word for 'flower' just the other day.

My feet have also grown, and my soft beige and white leather shoes sadly don't fit anymore. I have some new sandals which I've been wearing instead. I feel quite British because I wear socks with the sandals.

Because it's been so hot, Grandma started giving me fruit juice so that I drink more fluids. I sometimes get diluted orange or apple juice; Gugu gave me strawberry juice once. I'm getting better at holding a cup without spilling the contents.

Papa had some time off on Thursday, so he took me to the playground. There were rocking horses, slides and swings in the playground, and I had a go on them all. When papa put me down on the ground, I wouldn't move because I have never stood on this funny green stuff before. It felt a bit springy, and Papa told me it was called 'grass'. Papa first took me to the rockers, where I had a go on the koala bear. Papa then took me down the slide twice, and I shrieked with joy each time on the way down.

I was too scared to get on seats which were hanging. Papa was so sure I would enjoy it that he insisted on putting me in one. He then gave me a push, and I swung backwards and forwards, feeling the wind in my face. He was right - I have never been in a chair that moved like that before, and I loved it. Woooosh!

Today, I received a "Teddy exclusive" postcard from little Gugu from Berlin. Papa says Berlin is in Germany and used to be a divided city. I am the only one in the family to get one :-) They are all dead envious of me.