by Arsengal

Created on: July 14, 2008

You've given birth, your Angel is here and you have no idea what's going on behind those daily widening eyes and slurpy mouth. Is Angel really supposed to be pooping fit to rival a horse? Is it normal that s/he's not even trying to squawk yet? When will s/he begin testing his/her legs? Is it normal that s/he is fascinated by one of my pink socks, has declared jihad on my favourite pair of shoes and will lie happily for hours, as long as s/he has custody of my silk tights? We'll tell you!

In this issue we break down Angel's first year for you but don't be alarmed if s/he's going a little faster or a little slower than we indicate. Babies don't all grow at the same pace, and the important thing is that they are in fact growing, and in a happy, healthy manner!
1 to 3 months: At the end of his/her first month, your baby should already have learned to lift his/her head, and may even have advanced from grimacing to smiling occasionally, and even laughing. S/he should already be responding to sounds and when awake, will be busy extracting all kinds of information about you and your surroundings through intense stares. At the end of two months, the stares will be able to focus on any object you interest baby in, s/he should be making sounds, and may be able to steady his/her own weight on his/her legs when held up. By Angel's first trimester, s/he recognizes you, and can hold up his/her head for longer periods, just to look into your adoring face.
4 to 6 months: Angel is now holding up his/her head steadily and is beginning to reach out and grab things s/he'll even roll over to get them! Colours are a new interest, and s/he will also begin to look at you with a knowing twinkle, when you say his/her name. As though s/he knew that the breastfeeding period is almost over, Angel will begin chomping on things, working on bringing out a first tooth. The crying will go down as s/he learns to amuse him/herself, checking out his extremities and cooing aloud in perfect satisfaction. By the end of his/her second trimester, Angel will be sitting quite steadily by him/herself, s/he will know when you are talking to him/her, and will already be trying to respond only you're too dumb to know what s/he's saying! S/he may also feel more anxious when you're not around. Watch out though Angel is just dying to get moving, and may begin rolling about unexpectedly, in preparation for a crawl.
7 to 9 months: During this period, Angel becomes an expert crawler, and will even have learned to stand up steadily, with the support of obliging furniture, and wave at you. Expect his/her first words (keep saying mummy and daddy!') to emerge quite soon from the usual string of babbling that s/he will be conducting all day and night, while banging objects together for the sheer joy of noisy activity. And watch the delicacy with which s/he picks things up once s/he's dropped them!
10 months to year 1! Hurray! Waving gaily at the slightest pretext, Angel is rapidly gaining confidence at his importance in the house, so much so that you will have to teach him the word No.' This is when s/he will begin indicating his/her wants for you to provide, picking up another word or two, and speaking a version of them in clearer tones watch what you say! Watch what you do too, because Angel is now expertly crawl-walking about after you and will develop a tendency to imitate what s/he sees. You may test Angel with a cup to drink from and do tell him/her how to use it s/he can understand simple instructions!

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