Walky Talky

Leila is becoming a real Walky Talky girl now and is walking independently and making chatty sounds.

Over the last month she has become more confident walking while holding just one hand and it sometimes feels like she is hardly holding on! We have been trying to get her to take a few steps between us on carpet with some success - although she does look a little zombie-like  walking with her hands out in front of her!
Two weeks ago though she initiated a game of 'back and forth' which saw her turning by herself almost and really enjoying the increasing number of steps between us in the front room at Granny's. It was this weekend though that she started showing free will with walking, as she started to totter around her Nanny's house. It was great to see her decide that she wanted to follow Daddy's voice into the kitchen, or to play chase along the corridor.

She still falls on her bottom at times, but is able to negotiate obstacles (like feet!) and change direction,  and of course can pull herself up on whatever is available (mum's trouser leg, the couch etc). We thought that she'd finish the summer being able to walk, which is an amazing achievement for a 10 month old, but are slightly nervous about the implications of a walking baby!!

Leila has always had her quiet moments, whilst being able to make sounds she seems to prefer this to chatter. Her sounds have been rather intermittent, and with meeting so many new people this summer she is often quiet until she feels comfortable.

However recently she has started more constant chatter and sound. We noticed that she seems to 'talk' to objects,  gadgets especially, and this started when we got her her first mobile phone (this is a toy! We finally gave in to save our own phones from her drool). It's really fun and sometimes feels like you're having a conversation! Her favourite sound is 'da' which she uses indescriminatly at the moment.  Quite often her 'babble' sounds like the Crazy Frog though!