Saturday, 21 June 2014: One Year and Eighty Two Days Old.

Ayla learned to “cheers” tonight, and it took about 2.38 seconds.

It’s AMAZING how quickly Ayla learns.

It’s CRAZY how much Ayla understands.

I NEVER realised that such a tiny, innocent, vulnerable, beautiful little creature could look at something once, for the first time, and piece together it’s history, it’s purpose, it’s connotations and it’s value within seconds.

It’s like a couple of days ago when Ayla brought two different shoes to me and I asked her to go back and pick out the matching partner instead of odd sorts.

I didn’t even think Ayla would listen, let alone understand, but she toddled off back into her bedroom and emerged with the left pink sparkly sandal that matched the right I had in my hand.

So I suppose it isn’t surprising that when I clinked my glass to Ayla’s water bottle and said “cheers” Ayla repeated the action with words and all, straight away.

People say children are sponges but to me, “sponge”is an understatement and I don’t ever think I’ll be able to comprehend how amazing Ayla is.