Started from the bottom now we’re here, started from the bottom now my whole team here babeee!!. Okay so you caught me, it’s just me and my peeps hanging out at this so called birthday party that we’re waay too cool for. My peeps are all with me, we started from the bottom.. that’s for sure, I’m remember the days that we were all newborns just rolling around on our mats whilst our mother’s had their little coffee mornings. Yeah we drooled a lot, poked each other in the eye, since eye hand coordination was a little messed up, and don’t get me started on how we couldn’t even lift our heads, some would fall asleep in mid conversation, and don’t tell me about the one’s who’d vomit at a look..what’s up with that dude seriously…lightweight…yeah we had it hard but we hung in there. Now look at us, man are we so cool. We’re all grown up I guess…one and half to about two is the age limit here, anybody more than that is an oldies and will definitely be cramping our style.

Yeah so Big George over there has got some of his teeth, but the hair’s taking awhile, not to worry Goergie old boy, bald is the new style. The only girl in the group, little Trixie is THE boss, I guess she has to be tough with all these crazy boys in her gang. But she’s been hugging that TOMY water world toy way too long now missy, it’s my turn soon. Of course there’s little Stevie, now don’t make eye contact with him too much, he still has separation issues, and I really don’t want him crying all over my nice new suit that Mum got me, he’s a good chum though and he’s got an evil Big Sister like me, so we relate. Of course it goes without saying I’m the leader of the pack, was born one day before Trixie, so that officially makes me the babyfather of our little gang. Hey Big George next time you kiss my hand man, don’t bite it.

Yeah yeah so we’re not perfect and Big George, is teething what can I say. But boy this party is the bomb, we started off with some run and catch, since all of us can walk now, then we played with all the balloons that they had floating around, that was awesome, now at the moment we’ve all had some cake and milk, lying on the mat thinking what to do next?..Yeah Stevie’s beat me to it, a nap sounds like a terrific idea…yeah that was one hell of a party!!!! We started from the bottom but we sure do party like rockstars!!!

Newborns

Your baby may not appear to be doing much, but he is taking lots in. Although he can't see very far, he will love to look at your face, so hold him close and let him study your features. Your newborn baby won't be able to fully extend his arms and legs yet, which will make him look a bit scrunched up. Your baby will feed around the clock during the first few days. You'll probably find he wants eight feeds to 15 feeds every day. After the first week or so, this will go down to six feeds to eight feeds a day. Breastfed babies tend to demand more frequent feeds than formula-fed babies. Your baby's sleeping patterns are equally intermittent. He will probably sleep for a total of 16 hours to 17 hours in a 24-hour period. Unfortunately this won't mean a long lie-in for you, as he'll break up his sleep into eight or so naps.

Two Year Old Milestones

Your baby enters her second year and becomes a toddler, crawling vigorously, starting to walk, even talking a little. Exploring the boundaries established by your rules and her own physical and developmental limits will occupy much of her time for the next few years.

Here are some other milestones to look for.

- Walks alone
- Pulls toys behind her while walking
- Carries large toy or several toys while walking
- Begins to run
- Stands on tiptoe
- Kicks a ball
- Climbs onto and down from furniture unassisted
- Walks up and down stairs holding on to support

Toddler Stranger Anxiety

Stranger anxiety is not just reserved for babies. It’s a phenomenon in which toddlers, often between the ages of 12 and 24 months, view anyone other than their parents as a threat — even if that someone is their (formerly) favorite Aunt Michelle. Why does toddler stranger anxiety suddenly rears its ugly — and strange — head? Experts aren’t exactly sure. And, adding to the mystery, some kids are gripped by it, while others never feel it at all. One thing experts do know: You didn’t do anything bad to make it happen. On the contrary, stranger anxiety is a natural and normal part of development — and it’s a sign that your child has a healthy bond to you.

By Mayuri Jayasinghe