It has been almost a month since we moved here to Wellington. It’s been an interesting few weeks–setting up our house, adjusting to the climate, getting to know new friends and a little bit of exploring the city. Before we know it, Katie is now 9 months old!
There’s been quite a few developments that I’m happy to write about. The first thing is that Miss Katie has recently learned how to pull herself up to standing position! I think that’s a big leap from learning to crawl just from last month.
I think she got tired of looking at us in between the barriers of her play area and crib that she figured out she can hold on to something and pull herself up. Once she learned that, she’s been holding on to everything and trying to stand all the time.
In our excitement, we bought a walker to see if she’ll progress on to walking–not quite yet. She’s just been sitting and standing. No movement at this time. Oh well.
Her first tooth also came out, and seriously, the amount of drool I’ve had to wipe off her is amazing. I think the good thing about this is that her appetite has no seemed to slow down a bit. We’ve been trying out new flavours and textures–kiwi fruit, chopped pasta, grated cooked carrots, mashed kumara (sweet potato). She’s been good so far.
One of my major concerns about moving to New Zealand is developing Katie’s socialising skills. In the Philippines, it’s a bit easier because family is there, and we can go by to our relatives’ houses to visit and she can see other people. Over here, on a typical day, it’s just me and her at home. I can’t just let her watch TV all day without being able to see other people.
After online research and asking our new friends, I found that I can bring Katie to one of the churches here every Monday morning for playtime, and to the local library every Wednesday and Thursdays for some “Rock and Rhyme”. I also bring her to the play area in the shopping center near the house to meet other kids. For now, I think that’s going to be our routine for the next couple of months.
As for me, well, I am definitely adjusting to my new role as a full time housewife and mum. One can say I’ve been in that role ever since I gave birth, but I have to be honest, I had a lot of help in the Philippines. This time, it’s just me doing everything (with help from my husband of course!). I have learned a couple of lessons so far, and have a lot of thoughts about this, which deserves its own post.
But anyway, let’s see how we go with her current activities. And we move on to the next month!
