Gremlin’s Fireside Chat

I am amazed at Maeves intellectual progress – and her physical one too. Maeve on thursday underwent her 9 month check up at the local clinic and no problems were found and they are very happy with her progress to date – very much at the “top of the scale”. Maeve is 72 cm tall and weighs 10KG (22lb) and has excellent reactions.

This morning whilst I was changing her nappy (diapper for you Americans) I noticed her looking at the wall behind her waiving her hand. It took me a second to realize but she was watching the shadow of her hand and arm on the wall and was wiggling her fingers – Maeve had obviously had understood that the shadow was her and playing with it. Wow the mind and its ability to learn is amazing.

About twenty minutes later she was sitting on the floor and I was trying to get her to say “da da” and to my surprise she replied “ba ba” – all I got previously was nothing or “mmmmm mm”. I repeated “da da” and she said “ba ba”. Ok its not “da da” – but its close and I am thrilled. Question – Response. Love you Maeve.

On the way to the train station in Dun Laoighaire this evening I saw my first non-caucasian Gardai – an officer of Chinese heritage. Until recently Irish Garda officers (Police officers) are hulking giants of caucasian men and woman from some remote part of Ireland, its nice to know that our police force is becoming more representative of our diverse ethnic population.

Ahhhhhhhhh …. doesn’t this commando look cute…

Our little Maeve is a.k.a. the ‘terrorista’ these days, given the mayhem chez nous as she’s properly crawling, And now she has a cammo outfit to suit the title. I couldn’t resist the blue camouflage pyjamas in the babywear section yesterday. So cute! Commando chic! And she’s lined up for martial arts lessons with her black belt aunt and uncle any day now. Future playground bullies be warned….the baby equaliser is on the way….

Maeve and Bernie have been struck down with the dreaded “winter vomiting” bug – Maeves lasted all last week, X Friday and Saturday, both can now take solid food; Fortunately I seemed to be spared this particular curse, but have been suffering a nasty head cold with a sore throat – I wonder if this is the reason I did not get the vomiting bug; Needless to say it was a miserable week all-round in the Leeson household. Anyway everyone is now feeling a lot better.

Today, Bernie my wife telephoned me at work in some state of excitement – excitement in that Maeve has acquired a new word which she conciously uses. Whats the word – “Mama” and Bernie is over the moon.

In other news I bought (as an early birthday present from my Wife) a “pay-as-you-go” iPhone from O2 and I am well pleased… but more later.