A step forward.

Sweet, sweet Stella,

You took your first steps this week. In little pyjama clad feet, you wobbled and giggled as you stepped away from your comfort zone, away from the known. You stepped into a whole new world of freedom and exploration. Your very first steps.

Someday soon you will step out in sandals, into the sunshine and onto the soft, prickly grass. You will waddle and wander seeing things you may not have seen before.

Someday, you will step out in gumboots. You will experience rain and puddles from a new perspective. Instead of watching, you'll be there. Walking, jumping, splashing.

One day, you will step out in school shoes. With laces undone and a sandwiches packed, you'll step away from me, away from our home and into a wonderland of new.

One day, you may step out in dance shoes (or football boots), you will dream of what you want to become and enjoy what your not-so-infant like feet are capable of doing.

One day, you will step out in heels, wondering if your shoes are as pretty as the other girls and saying goodbye to those highschool years. You will wobble slightly, but catch yourself and stand tall, even if it means stepping out barefoot to dance in celebration.

One day, you will step out in 'grown up shoes', you'll walk the path of relationships, careers and choice. I know that the steps you take then, will be as precious as the steps you take now. Just as tentative, just as careful, yet equally as determined.

Just know, wherever you step, however you step... I'll be there to match each and every one and to catch you if you shall trip. Or if those nasty 6 inch heels break, you can step out in my mama shoes; they've been through quite a journey.

One plus one.

One year and one month! Oh how time flies!

Stella Winter is now 13 months old...and cheekier, smarter and more beautiful than ever.

The way she plays has changed drastically in the last month, she is really intrigued as to how certain toys 'work' and will spend minutes and minutes pushing certain buttons and opening little latches. She loves to put things in and take things out, its the ultimate game. Although, she would much rather join in with the adults than play baby games! She likes to eat whatever I am eating, 'read' whatever I am reading and help with whatever I am doing, including the operation of my iPhone. She knows which button to press and knows how to use the touch screen to unlock it... I know, scary right?

Physically, she is on the go. She doesn't stop. She rarely crawls anymore, but 'cruises' along the furniture instead. She walks occasionally (usually 4-5 steps at a time), but isn't quite a full time walker yet.

She adores visitors, getting beyond excited when someone visits at our house. As soon as our guest walks in the door she rushes to show them her favourite toys, showing off 'her crib', its equally funny as it is gorgeous.

She eats well, and has even tried her hand at self feeding with a spoon. I don't like to use the word failure when it comes to childrens experiences, but the first time was well.... a failure. We are trying to improve the spoon feeding skills. She can drink from a cup whilst aided and has tried to drink from one un-aided. It was going really well, until the cup was thrown on the ground. We'll get there!

Stella is sleeping well still, no longer waking for a bottle at 3am. We managed to kick the bottle in bed habit cold turkey and she now falls asleep sucking on her dummy, much more manageable and healthy. She usually sleeps 7pm til 6am, a bit more of a sleep in would be amazing but I am counting my stars lucky that she sleeps these hours as it is.

It really is incomprehensible that my baby is now a toddler! I miss those little bundle days but love that we can now interact with so much more depth, we can have conversations (Stella nodding and saying 'yeah' while I talk) and share a funny joke.

Toddlerhood is whole new challenge, a whole new experience. Let the tantrum throwing, kiss blowing, cuddle giving, toddling begin!