Zara came face to face with a crow yesterday, and the crow was making “Ak Ak Ak” sound throughout. I explained to her that the bird bird says “Ak Ak Ak”; just like cats say “Ao”; dogs say “Wof Wof”.

While we were in the car, I started asking her, what should does this animal and that animal make and she seemed to be able to do a few sounds.

The cow, which is Moo
The dog, which is Woof woof
The cat, which is Aao (like the way she calls a cat)
The monkey, which is Ooo-Ooo Eh-eh-Eh
The elephant, which is … I mean you get it, I don’t even know how to spell the sound.

To listen to her making these sounds, click

She has also started to be able to call different people by their titles:

Ah Ku (my brother, the King) – as Ah Tu
Ah Kim (King’s Wife) – as Ah Tim
Ah Kong (my dad) – as Ah Kng
Ma-ma (my MIL) – as Ma-ma
Ku-Che (my SIL) – as Kng (a pause, then) Teh
Che-Che (my nieces) – as Teh Teh
Daddy – as Pa Pa
Kakak (which she already said long time ago) – as Tak Tak
Me – as …. *silence* Yes, this little girl still refused to call me!

Last week, while waiting for her to fall asleep, I just got her to speak after me on the words that she already knew.

Half way through, she started talking in her baby language, and giggled. To listen to the recording of the ‘conversation’, click here .

Here’s a video taken today of Zara talking (of course with me instigating).

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7MDd2QLNk0]

Here is what she said just in case you have problem understanding what she’s saying.
She replied, “Za-ah”, when I asked her what was her name.
She said “Bi-kngh” after my ‘biscuit’ (her new vocabulary, which she is repeating quite frequently).
And she said Park when her shoes were handed to her.
(it’ll take a while to load)

Since Zara wasn’t feeling well, I was working from home on Monday and Tuesday so I can keep an eye on Zara, and if required, can immediately bring her to the Dr’s. This mean I get to spend more time with her. Her are some limited ‘conversation’ I have with her.

Morning
I walked downstairs, where she was playing
Zara : *look up and smile*
Me : Hello Zara!
Zara : *point to the TV* Poot
Me : *pretend* Put what?
Zara : *point to the TV, and that ‘don’t-be-stupid-you-must-understand-me’ look* Poot! Poot!
Me : Oh, you want mummy to put the Wheels in The Bus for you is it?
Zara : *point her index finger to her other palm* (now she used this not just to sign MORE but also for WANT)

Milk time
I came down from the study
Me : Zara you want milk milk?
Zara : *put down what she was playing, came to me* Kng
Me : *looked at her quizzically* Do you want milk milk?
Zara : Kng
Tuyam (maid) : Itu dia sedang cakap dia mau susu (She’s saying she wants milk)
Me : *scratched head, but anyway placed her on my lap* Ok, milk milk then.
Zara : Kng *then sucked her thumb* (an indication she wanted milk before she use this Kng word)
I laid her down, and nursed her. I have absolutely no idea how ‘Kng’ symbolises milk.

Lunch time
Me : Zara, mummy wants to go out to buy lunch, you want to come
Zara : *ignore me and continue playing with her toy*
Me : Zara, you don’t want to go kai kai? (go out in Cantonese)
Zara : *looked up, grinning* Tai Tai!
Me : *patted the infant carrier seat* Let’s go then. After mummy let Zara drive car car ok?
Zara : *walked to the infant carrier, while waving her hand in the air* Oooo Oooo Ooo Ooo (her way of relating to car)

Evening
She spotted me coming down from ths stairs
Zara : *pointed to the door* Park!
Me : *asking the obvious* Zara wants to go to the park?
Zara : *wobbled towards the door, still pointing* Park!
Me : Raining outside, cannot go to the park
Zara : *Still pointing outside* Park!
I carried her and showed her the pouring rain
Me : It’s raining outside, we cannot go to the park, after you will get wet
Not sure if she understood what I was saying but she willingly let me lead her back to her pile of toys

Night 1
Zara climbed up to the stairs, reached for her pair of new shoes (which are still too big for her) resting on the steps
Zara : *put the shoes near her feet, and looked at me* Hok Hok
Me : Ok, mummy put on your shoe for you, then you can go walk walk
I put on her pair of shoes for her
Zara : *grinning* Hok Hok! Hok Hok *walked around in the oversized shoes*

Night 2
Sat on the sofa with Zara. She stood up, and went to the edge, where the arm rest is.
Zara : *clapped her hands* Hong!
Me : Yeah, you go there, after you Bong! and fall down
Zara dangled one of her feet outside of the arm rest, and grinned at me
Me : *point my finger at her* No, no! Go there after you fall down!
Zara pointed her finger back at me and reached her foot out further
Me : You naughty huh? After mummy beat beat you!
Zara : *beat her own thigh* Umph!
Cheeky little girl she is!

Zara signing ‘MORE’ in the attached photo:

I first heard about signing with babies when I was searching for some books in Amazon.com, and stumbled upon books on this topic, so I looked up websites and did some research.

Why do you sign to babies? “It is a fact that infants develop the fine muscles in their hands before they develop those required for speech, so they’re equipped to communicate with you before they can speak“, there are some very good websites who give you some insight to this.

I for one, got very frustrated when I could not understand what Zara was crying or asking for. She was 7 months then. At the period where she could not speak, but already had her demands(by crying).

I went to the ASL (American Sign Language) Site, looked at the video on how to do certain signs, and started signing to Zara. I tried to do the essential one like milk, drink, eat.

It wasn’t easy to let Zara associate the signs with the words, even more difficult because my maid was her main care giver during the day. Although I’d instructed her to sign to Zara when Zara was offered milk, a drink of water or food to eat, I could not ensure she did that since I was not around to check on her. When I signed to Zara during the time I took care of her, she seemed to look at me in amusement, not taking my ‘signing’ seriously.

The initial attempt failed.

As Zara grew older, she’s more firm with her demands, she gets a bit frustrated when none of us are able to tell what she’s saying or asking for. So I tried signing again. This time, I didn’t get my maid to help, because if she did it wrongly, it’ll only confuse Zara more.

I’d used a few signs with her, two of the signs she picked up quickly are more (2 hands come together), and no more (turn the wrist with palm stretched out). Her version of more is pointing her finger to her other palm (like doing dim-choong-choong ???). She tells me she wants more by doing this action, e.g. she wants more bubble blowing, food, reading, singing, etc.

Her signing came to very good use the other night. After breast feeding her from both breast, she pointed her finger to her other palm (she wants more), then pointed to my breast, and turned her wrist with palm stretched out (but I have no more milk), and then started fussing and repeated the gesture (my milk supply reduced because of the time of the month).

I quickly made her 2 additional oz of formula milk. Although she eventually just took a few drips (yes ‘drips’, not even ‘sips’) of milk from the bottle (she only has tasted formula milk on 2 or 3 occasions, so probably not used to the taste), she seemed to be happy that I understood her, and went to sleep blissfully.

I’m still in the midst of introducing more signs to her. Hopefully, it’ll help more with our communications.

Zara spoke her first 3 syllable word 2 weekends ago when I was reading her bath time counting book to her which has a page filled with butterflies.

She immitated when I said butterfly. Her version sounds something like “putter-pie”. Now, she kept mumbling the word putter-pie, as though to practice her talking skill.

She’s picked up quite a few words the past 2 weeks, like :
Kai Kai (go out) – tai tai
Walk Walk – woh woh
Park (Play ground)- Pak
Bath – But
Duck – Tuck Tuck
Mr Blue (her softtoy) – Boo
Car – Uhhhhh Uhhhh (with 1 arm raised and moving horizontally depicting a moving car)
Aeroplan – Uhhhhh Uhhhh (same as car, but she’ll be poining her finger upwards)
Daddy – Pa Pa
Zara – Sa-ah
Apple – Ah-Per
Full (??) – Ba-Ba

However, she’s still not calling me mummy, mama or anything yet. And sometimes still confuse me with herself. When I asked, “where’s Zara’s nose?”, she’ll point to mine; but when it’s “Where is che-che’s (Samantha’s) nose?”, she’ll point to Sam’s.

Maybe she thinks both of us are one entity, that’s why when I’m around, she still clings to me like a koala.

For the past 2 weeks Zara has been very interested in mimicking the words we said, and is trying to communicate to us. Here are a few situations which I could actually make up what she was saying.

Just entered my sis’ place
Zara : *excitedly, looking every where* CahPerCahPerCahPer (it sounded something like that)
Me : *imitated* Cabut, Cabut, Cabut, Cabut (‘Extract’ in Malay. Thought this was what she was saying, and she probably learnt it from our Indonesian maid)
We walked about in the house
Zara : *pointed to a big framed up Kashmir rug* CahPerCahPerCahPer
Me : *scratched head, imitated* cabut, cabut
Zara : *pointed to a painting on another wall* CahPerCahPerCahPer
Samantha (my wise niece): She’s saying Picture is it?
Me : *gasped* Picture? *looked at Zara* Zara, you said Picture is it?
Zara : *grinned* PerCah PerCah PerCah
Mummy : *it made sense now* Wow, so clever (not sure where she picked this word from, must be from my nieces)
Zara : *grinned and clap hands*

In my sis’ house 1
Sis was adjusting some of her clay ornaments, and accidentally dropped them on the floor.
*CRASH*
Sis : Oh-O!!
Zara : *imitated* Oh Oh
Sis : *laughed* Yeah loh, Yi-yi naughty.
Zara : *looked at my sis, moved her hand up & down with her pointer stuck out* (a sign I always used when she’s naughty, or when I disallowed her to do something and said “NO NO”)
In my sis’ house 2
Zara : *pointed to the bottle of bubbles on the table* Pah-Per Pah-Per!
Me : Later huh, mummy change your diaper first
Zara : *protested*
Me : *ignored her protest, carried her to the room* after mummy changed your diaper, mummy will blow you bubbles, ok?
Me : *whispered to my sis* Hide the B-U-B-B-L-E please
I took my own sweet time changing her diaper, hoping she won’t recall my promised. Then we went back out to the kitchen.
Zara : *pointed to the table (even the bottle of bubbles was no longer there). Stamped her feet in excitement* Pah-Per! Pah-Per! Pah-Per! Pah-Per!
Me : *rolled eyes* Aiyo. She remembered.
Went and fulfilled my promise, blew her bubbles for the 100th time that day.

After work, arrived at King’s wife’s place
Me : *pretended to search for her* Hell-LOW Lee-tle Geeerrl!
Zara : *squealed in delight* Aaah!!
Me : *pretended I’d found her* Hello Little Girl! *scooped her up* How are you?
Zara : *looked at me and gave me a big big smile*
(the above is our standard greeting)
Me : *About to plant a kiss on her lips* Give mummy a kiss kiss
Zara : *Turned her face, laid her head on my shoulder, tightening her grip around my neck with her arms* Huh, Huh
Me : No Kiss Kiss? Only Hug Hug?
Zara : *Still lying on my shoulder* Huh Huh
Me : *compromise* oh ok. Hug Hug then.

Just now, drove out to buy lunch with her
Drove passed a bump without realising, we all got a jolt in the car.
Zara : Oh Oh
Me : *smiled at her* Yup, Oh-O
(now, she’s able to tie accidents with this exclamation)

This happened at at my sister’s place, which is a three story town house, yesterday.

I was comfortably seated on the disgustingly sparkling clean kitchen floor; Zara was at the foot of the stair case, just 3, 4 feet away from me, interested in climbing up the stairs (probably to get to the TV room above).

She had both hands on the railing, head looking ahead of the stairs, she lifted one of her feet, just about to make her ascend.

Me : “Zara, please don’t go up the stairs”
She placed the lifted foot back on to the floor, and looked at me.
3 seconds later, she lifted one of her feet again, eyes looked ahead, about to place it on the step above.
Me : “Zara, mummy said please don’t go up ok?”
She turned to look at me again, placed her foot on the stairs, but her weight was still on the firm foot resting on the kitchen floor.
Me : “Zara, if you go up the stairs, and fall down, mummy will not sayang (comfort) you or kiss kiss you, huh?”
Zara paused and looked at me (trying to challenge me), but started to shift her weight to the foot rested on the step.
Me : *desperate light bulp appeared on top of my head*
*rub eyes* “Uh..uh..uh.. Mummy so sad, Zara doesn’t want to listen to mummy. Uh.. uh..” *pretend to cry*
Sister : *just in case my acting was lousy Zara didn’t know I was crying* “Oh-O, Zara made mummy cry cry”

I was concentrating on my acting crying, and then suddenly could hear the bell on Zara’s anklet tinkling. When I removed my hands from my eyes, she had already (wobbled forward and) reached me, and had her hands hugging around my neck.

Zara : “Pat Pat, Pat Pat”
(Me : *wow, new vocabulary*)
She started patting my back, then leaned her head on my shoulder. Her way of consoling the lying crying mum.
Me : *kiss her cheek* “Thank you. You came back to sayang (console) mummy is it?”
Zara : *still patting me* “Pat Pat, Pat Pat”
Me : “Zara is such a good girl”
Zara : *grinned, looked at me, then leaned her head back on my shoulder*

Aww, you can imagine how I feel the rest of the day, her action was like a cup of hot chocolate with mushmallows on a cold cold day *hands on chin, eyes blinking, lashes flicking*.

After dinner
Zara crawled to the TV cabinet in my sis’ house yesterday.
Touched some of the switches
Pulled some of the wires
Took her Wheels In the Bus VCD
Handed me the VCD and said, “put, put, put, put, put”, and then kept touching the TV screen.
Did she just say “PUT?”, or was it just coincidence? We never really taught her this word before, and we always say “Play” for VCD/DVD, never “Put”.
Anyway, it was time to go home, so I told, “We go home first, mummy will PUT for you at home”

Back At Home
Told Daddy about what happened ealier.
Daddy: Zara mummy said you so clever, you know how to say PUT? Say again. PUT
Zara : Put Put Put Put Put
(Daddy clapped hands, Zara grinned)
Daddy: Zara, say mum, mum, mum, mum, mum
Zara : Mum, mum, mum, mum, mum…. (non stop)
(wow, in the mood to talk)
Daddy: Call Daddy then, Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa
Zara : Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa (didn’t look like she was directing this to Daddy)
(I cannot tahan/stand any more, so I chipped in)
Me : Zara, call mummy, Muh-mee, Muh-meee
Zara : …… (grinned)
(Maybe too hard to call Mummy, let me try again)
Me : Zara, say Mimi, mi-mi
Zara : (immediately) Aao, Aao, Aao, Aao
Me : Zara, Mummy is not a cat, say Mimi, MI MI
Zara : Aao, Aao, Aao, Aao (non stop)
Me : *roll eyes*
Daddy : *Laugh*

I don’t know which part of me resembles a cat or a furry animal (which she also uses “AaO” on).

Up till today, she still doesn’t want to call me. Aigh.

This morning, after I’d finished expressing milk for Zara’s morning feed, I went upstairs, and found Zara already up, and Daddy entertaining her.

I said “Good Morning Little GIRRL” and she gave me this big big smile in return . I swept her into my arms, and asked her to give me a hug, she just leaned herself forward a bit (that’s her way of hugging). Then I told her to give me a kiss. Willingly, she placed her mouth on mine, and lingered for a while. I think she was trying to taste my breakfast from my lips.

What other nicer way to start a day? To see my little one in good spirit, getting a hug and kiss from her. Nothing beats this, unless she surprised you with her new vocabulary.

While I was getting her clothes and toileteries ready, she pulled on my pajamas pants to stand herself up. Then she pointed the flower print on my pants, and said “Puh-wer”. I stopped what I was doing, and asked, “What is it?”.
She pointed to the flower print and said again “Puh-wer”.
“Yes! Yes girl, this is flower”. I beamed.
“Puh-wer”. She repeated. Then clapped her own hands, aware of her achievement.
“Clever girl!” I clapped as well.
I swept her up, and gave her another hug. She was smiling and happy.

After that I went into the shower with her, and gave her a quick rinse. While in the shower, she pointed to her bathtime books, “boo”, and then to the wall tile “Puh-wer” (I had some of those floral tile stickers stuck on a few of the tiles).
“Clever girl!” I was really happy.

After that, daddy took her out of the toilet to dry and change her. While he was at it, he took the opportunity to get Zara to speak more since she was in the mood.
“Diaper” Daddy pointed to the diaper
“Ugh!” Zara responded
“Powder” Daddy pointed to the powder
“….” Zara took the puff to examine it.

Fat chance daddy. Maybe there’s too many ‘-er’ words for one morning.

I notice that Zara likes to surprise us with her capability. She observes when we teach her to do something; or when we speak, she looks at the movement of our mouth. She doesn’t like to repeat after us, but takes her time to digest, and then surprise us one day by uttering the words we’d taught her (although pretty limited for now) or do something we’d shown her earlier.