Martins World

We got some new babies! All right, not exactly “we” but friends of us gave birth to two little ones. Now (nearly) all friends of us are parents, some even with two children.

Of course we already made our “inaugural visits” to the two new babies. All are well, only the parents looked a bit tired. Dirk, the fresh (first time) daddy offered a trade: Some hours of sleep from Nadja in exchange to some hair from his daughter (she was born with full hair).

Nadja could indeed donate one or two hours of daily sleep. It is unbelievable how many hours she sleeps. Looks like the kindergarten is really “exhausting” for her, although she obviously loves it. Probably comparable to our work. We regenerate on the weekend, and so does Nadja. Last sunday she woke up around 9.30 am (after being asleep on Saturday at 7 pm). Allright, maybe she was awake earlier but she made her self felt only at this time. And Christiane said that when she opened the door to Nadjas room, Nadja was cuddling her frog (her favourite soft toy) and let herself fall down into the pillow again – typical signs for “just woke up”. Really unbelievable, isn’t it?

Finally: Since last weekend Nadja is not only able to walk (guided by us) but she can crawl – all by herself, conscious and aimed. This morning she crawled smiling from her room towards us, being in the bathroom. Very sweet to look at, especially since the hard wood flooring is quite slippery. Maybe we can catch it on video as well.

Move all by herself – the first step into independence. And stress for us: “Where the h**l are these f***ing children protection plugs for the power outlets we bought weeks ago?!”

Next step for her: learning to say “Yes” and “No” so she can tell her wishes. That’s our target for her before she goes to the kindergarten: so she can say “No” and/or move away if there is something (or somebody) annoying her.

Well, it is said that there are parents who proclaim (half joking, half seriously) that they “damn the day when they have taught their children to walk and to talk”. Because more independence for the child means more responsibility for the parents and it reduces the “easiness of handling” a child – you have to look closer, take care, have to explain, to discuss, to educate more. Well, we really looking forward to do so (until now…;-) ) and can’t await the first clear words of Nadja. There are many good approaches already (even with some positive interpretation some “Mam” and “Dad” ;-) )…