The first of January was a slow day for me. Slow because I’m no longer used to going out, dancing up a storm for a few hours, having a few champagnes and taking ages to get home. All of this would be okay if I were still able to sleep in.

Bubba was having none of that! There’s no ‘snooze’ button, there’s no explaining ‘mumma needs a little more sleep Love Bug‘. Nope, none of it. It doesn’t matter that you didn’t get in until 3am mumma, it’s now 6am, I’m 11 months old,  I’m full of beans and I’m ready for my day – and you better be too!

In the previous day or two, Bubba has really gotten active in pulling herself up on things. She then gives me this look to make sure I’m watching (and has also adopted a super cute look of concentration, complete with furrowed brow) then lets go with one or both arms. In that split second she is ever so pleased with herself but then realises she is not too stable yet and grabs hold for dear life once again to whatever she can. It’s incredibly cute and the next in her growth stages – just as I’m getting used to one, the next one sneaks up.

There are (thankfully) only 2 internal stairs in our house. Bubba has managed to figure out standing up, crawling up the step, then scooting away. On her return, the getting down bit is still fraught with bumps and bruises.

Seeing her get frustrated is difficult. She really wants to take on the next part of whatever little adventure she’s on, but hasn’t yet figured out how. This part of being a mumma is tricky – help her along a little, but don’t do it for her. (I’m going to need to repeat that to myself a few times.)

The wonderful thing about me having a relatively low-key day, combined with Love Bug pulling herself up to a stand, is that she discovered she can now pull herself up to a stand, then clamber up into my lap (or just plonk herself straight on top of me if I’m on the floor).

This meant that the first day of 2012 was one filled with cuddles, love, giggles and those utterly divine baby kisses – the ones where Bubba flings herself with all of her force, grabs your head (cheek/leg/arm or whatever else is in range) and holds you to her until she’s done giving you her love.

Bliss. This year is off to an amazing start.