Are you still my baby?

Trixie my darling daughter is turning one year and ten months next week and everyday, she is changing into this independent, very decisive and curious little girl.  She learns so quickly that Brandon and I are careful to be real role models for her, but sometimes, we just don't know where she gets her tricks.  Just a few weeks ago, Trixie had this fascination of going up and down the stairs anytime she feels like it (too much energy for such a small frame!).  To think that some months back, she suffered terrible bruises from a very bad fall (which made my heart practically ache) and I still couldn't forget how hard she cried because of the shock and pain.  Now, she's a real climber that she doesn't want anyone holding her hand anymore, and she's at it many, many, many times each day.  She goes up and down the stairs not only in our house, but also in Valenzuela and in my uncle's house in Talayan.  Well, aside from her physical development, she's now a real talker (just watch her video "trixie on the phone" in this site and you'll know what I mean).  Last night, she uttered her first "sentence" as a request for me to carry her instead of her dad.  I was already in bed and being the little angel that she was, she quietly sat beside me, looked intently into my eyes and said, "Mama popo, no na papa."  Talk about mixing English, Chinese and Filipino in one utterance!  (Haha, I'll work on her grammar next time!)  Obviously, I gave in to her request because aside from the fact that I love hugging her and loving her, that sweet "sentence" actually did it.  I'm glad that she now knows how to express what she needs and wants more effectively, making her a happier baby--- less frustrations for her and smoother days for me.  I read in a book once that every night when you tuck your baby to bed, you are actually saying good-bye to this baby because tomorrow, she will be brand new--- with new learnings and developments.  Well tomorrow, I'm sure Trix will be learning a whole lot more and I'm anticipating many pleasant surprises just watching her.  For now, she is still my baby, but not for long...