Ten new steps up the learning curve

At 14 months:

1. Undoing the catches to open the sawdust bin by the compost toilet. Fortunately, the excitement of plunging tiny hands into fresh sawdust is enough to elicit telltale shrieks.
2. Super speed rush for the open kitchen door, head down, all limbs go. Mission: get up to your elbows in the dog’s water bowl.  
3. Closing doors. Awkward moments when she’s in, pushing the door closed, and I’m out, trying to enter.
4. Taking the pieces out of a puzzle. No interest whatsoever in putting it together yet, but one step at a time.
5. Dancing. The beginnings of a bob and sway when the music is on and increased vocalisation, singing along? 
6. Intonation. So much feeling and expression into so few syllables, incomprehensible but fascinating.
7. The sounds ka, ga (with a throaty roll) and a snake-style sssssssss across the tongue to express distain and vexation.
8. Getting small foodstuffs from table to hand to mouth, such as chick peas. It is however much more entertaining to mangle food and throw it on the floor, so progress is tardy.
9. A few extra inches have brought the kitchen table within reach. All items found less than 6 inches from the edge will be cast to the floor, the greater the ensuing reaction, the better.
10. Standing unaided. Holding a chair, with an item requiring two hands for thorough inspection. Let go, teeter for a few brief but triumphant moments, and sit. We’ll get there.