toothier toothy grin

Already you have two toothy pegs. Now you have the top two middle toothy pegs too. I am sure two more are on their way to add to your bottom set.

I sigh as I apply gel and hope you will sleep peacefully, untroubled by any ache moving teeth may cause.

You smile at me as you lick my finger, I am convinced your tongue is now numb, moreso than your little gums...

secret smiles

Secret smile #1: Shared by the two of us just before you breastfeed (provided you are not upset or convinced you are about to die of starvation...)...

Secret smile #2: Your new little expression shared with the world. You look mischievous as you suppress a grin, your little cheeks dimpled as your eyes tell the true story...

Christmas

Teddy, you had 3 Christmas celebrations this year. One for my family, one for the actual day & one for Papy's family.

I love you received heartfelt gifts & noone went overboard. Santy Claus was generous & left you a lovely copy of 'Diary of a Wombat' complete with a little plush wombat. You enjoy sucking his little carrot hanging from his mouth.

You enjoyed Christmas lunch, munching on roast chicken & smiling like crazy at Great-grandaddy Joe. You spent Christmas morning at the beach & slept through lunch with Papy's family.

All in all I think we have a wonderful collection of memories, full of love & laughter.

sand

Covered in sand from head to toe, you busily sweep your hand from side to side - showering us in the process. I am astounded you did not have any in your eyes, showing off the functionality of your super-long lashes.

A true beach babe...

mum's the word

I always said I would count your first word as the first word you said in context, that you should understand the meaning of it before we could count it...

My pleasure that your first word is 'mum-mum' is overflowing. I am so proud...and your Papy is now busy teaching you 'papa'!

the beach

Yesterday marked a spectacular day in our little man's life - his first swim in the ocean.

Indeed, the first time he had felt sand on his feet & salt on his skin. We were prepared for it to be an acquired taste, for a little face to screw up & a wail to be heard. Nope. Not even a little bit...well, maybe a little wail when Papy walked him into the 'big' waves.

Teddy - you loved the beach. Papy took you again today & you loved it even more. Summer is complete already & it has hardly begun...

oh Christmas tree oh Christmas tree

A little face alight with wonder & hope, aglow with the coloured lights. Christmas time is magical, for young & old.

Teddy is feeling the magic of his first tree, we are feeling the magic of watching him.

tag, you're it!

Labels labels labels...oh how I adore thee.

To flick or suck or tug...the endless pleasure of a tag!

favourite story

Our favourite story is "that's when I'm happy" by Beth Shoshan & Jacqueline East. It is a lovely story about a baby bear & what makes him happy.

On the last page the picture is of the Mama Bear, the Baby Bear & the Papa Bear all sleeping together - I point out the Mummy Bear, the Baby Bear & the Papy Bear to Teddy. "Just like us" I say - "Your Papy will be home soon" - Teddy holds a side of the book in each hand, then gently kisses the Mama Bear. "Ooooh - did you just kiss that Mama Bear? How lovely Teddy - what about your Mama Bear?" I ask...

He looks around at me, smiles a little & then gently kisses the Mama Bear in the book again...

Teddy - you just meant a kiss for something that wasn't a person for the first time. Words cannot describe my pride...I heart you.

a new friend

Today we met your nanny. She was spectacular, our own Mary Poppins. I knew when I chatted to her on the phone she was it. Our meeting just confirmed it one thousand times over.

You charmed her, smiling widely & stealing her keys to chew.

It is with much reluctance I will return to my doctorate next April, preferring to while my days away with you...having adventures & exploring our world. No matter how much I wish it were otherwise, I must & so you will have a wonderful friend to play with. You will learn so so much - I am excited for you & anxious for myself.

This is the prelude to a new chapter, it will be a great one I am sure...

sleeping through

I did not want to post about Teddy sleeping through the night at the ripe old age of 8 months - I did not want to jinx it. But...it has been a week now and 6:30pm until 5am has become the new normal and I am finding it hard to keep all my enthusiasm for this inside! So...

Teddy - I have obsessed over our sleep for some months now. Now we are having what I need (that is, a decent amount...) I will just say...

thank you

That is all.

wide-eyed

You sat with wide eyes, small in your carseat in the large interior of the tow truck. You gazed around, still dazed from your nap.

Our car needed a new tyre - it blew while we were blasting down the highway. Vulnerable we were, you napping in the backseat - me sitting in the driver's seat - on the side of a busy M1. Trying not to think of the tradegy that had befallen a family of five only a night or two ago, very close to where we were.

Thank goodness for roadside assist. When you are older, Teddy, and you have your very own car: you will be getting it. No argument.

hopeful wonder

You spend quite a bit of your time hanging onto the playpen bars around the telly, trying to get at the Christmas presents inside. I thought you were too young yet to experience the anticipation of gifts unopened...how wrong I was!

To somewhat sate your need, we opened a gift at the Christmas party today. It was a toy truck, your first gift this Christmas. You enjoyed equally the paper & the box, & have since warmed to the truck itself.

I know you will love every gift this holiday, as you love the people giving them...

tradition

I sit here tonight, busy with needle & thread, stitching a colourful design that will be the centerpiece of your Santa sack.

It is tradition on my side of the family that a child receives their gifts from Santa in a sack placed at the end of the bed, & sweets in the stocking hung nearby. These presents were allowed to be opened as soon as we woke on Christmas morning. Those under the tree had to wait until our grandparents arrived, usually around 10am. The waiting was a torture I remember keenly!

Teddy, you will not be receiving sweets for Christmas - this year or ever - from us at least. But you will receive a gift from Santa in your sack placed at the end of your bed, provided you have been good of course!

Your sack will be made by me, with love. I began late this year, optimistic it will be finished and thus I sit here stitching whenever you close your wee eyes in slumber. Speaking of, I had better continue lest it be next year by the time Santy has a place to leave your gift!

late night raspberries

I quietly shut the windows & close the curtains, moving around your bedroom with a stealth only a mother knows. I tuck you in, my little son, I caress your head.

As I enter my bedroom, next door, I hear it. Loudly.

You are blowing raspberries.

a bucket

A bucket and water is all you need for fun in the Queensland summer.

As good as any kitchen sink, the added benefit of the bucket is its portability. Teddy can enjoy a splash in the green of the backyard.

Just as nature intended!

the girls

Tiny Teddy, you are a chick magnet. The vast vast vast majority of your little friends are girls.

Three of them visited today to play. You loved (ahem, 'squashed') each of them in turn, you passed (ahem, 'stole' or rather 'snatched') toys back and forth to one another, you stood next to little M as you both used the couch for support...you pulled hair, they poked you. Fun was had by all.

As you grow, I hope you look back at the photos of this time with warmth in your heart. I will.

reflections

Tiny Teddy has discovered his reflection in the new glossy cabinets that make up the new kitchen.

Almost a hour was spent searching for his twin, the baby boy stuck in the door or drawer he was sitting in front of (or standing against...he has also found the handles...).

What a wonderfully unexpected joy this change has brought us?

bliss

Bliss is summer...

tiny Teddy having a 'spa' in the kitchen sink.

birth

The right of a woman to birth her baby naturally without unnecessary intervention is something I am extremely passionate about. In lieu of writing my own post, Nikki Fisher of 'the wholefood mama' has written a lovely piece on this subject.

You can find it here.

One of these days I will write Teddy's birth story. It is long and thus I procrastinate...it has become wonderfully foggy!

nakey time

Teddy & I spent an hour or so on my bed this afternoon - Teddy was catching up on some long overdue nappy-free time.

To facilitate this blissful expression of babyhood, I cover the entire bed with a waterproof mattress protector. It is a souvenir from my pregnancy...convinced my waters could break at any moment, unwilling to risk my bed, I invested in what has become a very handy item as Teddy & I strive to stay cool in this heat.

Teddy relished his freedom & I dodged the odd puddle...

smooshy squashy love

Teddy's particular way to love is a tad violent...he seems to believe if your face is not bruised (or battered or wet with dribble or grazed by his toothy pegs or you have hair left) he is not doing his job of loving you (& kissing you & sucking your nose or cheek or eyebrow) effectively.

I love his method of loving...I intend to enjoy it as I may not live through it! Now...off to ice my face while he naps...

Narna & Grampy

We spent the night with Teddy's Narna & Grampy last night. Teddy was adorable, giggling away with Grampy as they got into mischief on the couch. Hanging over my arm, stretching toward his Narna.

Crawling and climbing all over them as we sat on their bed, enjoying our morning coffee in the sunlight.

chicken pox

Apparently chicken pox comes in a varying range of severity...tiny Teddy has it extremely mildly.

I am grateful to my younger sister for spotting it, I had originally wondered if the spots were 'the pox' but dismissed them as insect bites when they didn't spread.

He has maybe 10 spots in all, on his feet and legs and two on his cheek.

It has not bothered him, only caused a bout of explosive pooey nappies this week. It is a good age to get it I think, he is unable to scratch and does not seem to be itchy.

I hope this is our dose done and dusted!

standing tall, part 2

Little Teddy, you are rapidly becoming an adventurous worry for your Mama.

This morning I checked on you when you called out at 3:40am, tucked you in & left you to settle again. You were snug in your sleeping bag, cozy under your blanket. When you woke to begin the day 5:45am I skipped into your room, excited to see your smiley face. What did I find?

You. Standing. Sans Sleeping Bag. Leaning. On. The. Cot. Bars.

How did you wriggle out of your little bag? It was still tucked in...cozy under your blanket.

When did you get so tall? I lowered your cot, lest I find you crawling about your room tomorrow morning!

Why are you a climber? I feel this is the question I will most often ask myself over the next few years...

little piggy

Teddy, the sheer volume of food you consume three times a day regularly astounds me. I am positive it is well within the bounds of normal, but wow. Wow.

Today I felt like a bystander at an all-you-can-eat buffet - I held the spoon while you chowed on down! Maybe it is a growth spurt...maybe you are destined to be 6 feet tall like your Papy - you are long and lean.

You are pulling yourself up on furniture now and getting faster at your commando scoot every day. You are up on all fours most of the day, shunting forward then getting frustrated and deciding to slide along on your tummy instead. To suggest you are active is an understatement.

So for now I will feed you up until you are satisfied and wonder where you put it all...

expressions of love

It is with some (ok...perhaps a lot) of sadness I write this post. Something I treasured has come to an end and although it is time to move on, I cannot help but feel a little glum about the subject. What I am talking about is giving up expressing breastmilk for Teddy...to have in his food or in the freezer in case (this has never happened) he wakes for a feed and I don't get home in time. I have 90ml left in the freezer as an emergency stash...unless I need to express for a specific feeding I will miss I have decided enough is enough.

I have made this choice for a couple of reasons:

(a) pumping ain't what it used to be...gone are the days of getting 100ml in 10 minutes, of my breasts making more just because I pumped regularly for a couple of days. I tried numerous methods of increasing the supply so I'd have surplus, but was having limited success for much effort;

(b) I realised I really didn't need to be stressing myself over getting approximately 60ml to mix in Teddy's breakfast. Breastfeeding (mixed with ample sleep deprivation) has caused me to lose my baby weight (yay!) plus some (not so yay!), so adding more sleep deprivation so I could pump more created a catch-22 situation...I kept losing weight which I do not have to lose. He is nearly 8 months old and well established on solids (eating me out of house and home in fact) so 60ml of breastmilk is really neither here nor there for the little tyke;

(c) I have more than enough milk for Teddy to have during his feeds, of which he has between 4 and 5 per day, and I suspect he is drinking much more than I could ever express. So all that effort was very much a drop in the ocean!

I have a rather large tendency to feel guilty when my pre-baby plans go out the window now I have an actual baby. I had thought I would continue to mix his cereal with breastmilk for 3 months after he weaned (that being the freezer shelf life of the liquid gold)...this is not to be.

I am happy I will be able to feel a little sad and perhaps a little guilty about this decision, but will bounce back fairly quickly. I feel such a tremendous gratitude to have such a successful breastfeeding relationship with my son, I realise other women do not have it so easy. I feel such overwhelming joy at the thought that I will reach my original goal of feeding for 12 months and excited I will probably exceed it.

I treasure every moment I have with Teddy snuggled close, sharing something only we can share. I adore the knowledge that I helped create this life, I kept him safe while he grew inside my belly, I birthed him the way I felt nature intended for me to and that I am able to give him the best of myself every day.

late afternoon naps

Teddy, you did not sleep all that well today. Unless you count the two 20 minute car rides, during which you slept great!

Mummy was also tired by this afternoon so fed you lazily on the bed, your final feed before a little bath & your bed...we fell asleep, you & I. When I awoke, it was 6:45pm. In my sleepy haze I took a second to realise we were running quite late for a proper bedtime...you didn't mind though. You were bathed & cozy in your bed in record time, set to complete your slumber.

I assume we will both sleep well tonight...I wonder what tomorrow will bring for us? I can't wait to find out - I hope it includes a snuggly nap...

lonely

This afternoon was the hardest of the four week cycle - it was 'Papy leaving day'. For the fifth time, off he went for another three weeks.

The house is always lonely on these particular Sunday afternoons. It is now a much better looking lonely house, on account of the smashing new kitchen. But that is beside the point...

We often escape to the bustle of a cafe or a neighbour's to break up the emptiness. Today we did the latter briefly, but chose also to withdraw into our own little haven...mixing napping with feeding with playing with watching cricket on telly.

Yes, it is lonely. But tiny Teddy & I have each other. And Papy is only a phone call away.

45 minutes of moments

I have many fabulous moments on any given day. Most of these involve either my tiny Teddy or my husband (when he is home...Skype is a lifesaver but the maker of fabulous moments it is not)...yesterday however, had one of the best forty-five minutes of moments I have ever experienced. I was going to share this as a series of posts, however thought one, perhaps very long one, was appropriate.

I'm not sure about you, but sometimes when I am having the most glorious of times I feel as if I am out of myself and everything slows down...I feel as if I am savouring the seconds to such an extent the experience of them is like a series of memories...whilst I am busy making them! I will try to convey these moments, but am not at all sure I will do them justice...

Teddy has been having ever-shorter afternoon naps of late. The combination of heat (29 degrees plus at the moment) & activity (perfecting his crawling technique too tempting) has meant when he does fall asleep - usually after getting up for a nappy change - it is in a position so uncomfortable he wakes after only half an hour, annoyed at his discomfit*. The moment he wakes & calls out is the beginning of some of my favourite moments to date.

In an effort to encourage more sleep, I take my slightly hysterical baby onto my bed. We lay down and he feeds. I give him a terry square (aka 'spew rag') to cuddle and more days than not, he is back to sleep in seconds. Yesterday was one such day.

He/I slept for fifteen minutes on one breast...he woke so I woke & we changed sides. He stays awake, but very relaxed...gazing at me with big blue eyes. Intently drinking in my face. Cue 'Moment Time Slowed Down'.

For the first time in a long time, Teddy rolled gently away & stayed there...looking at me, staring into my eyes. It was warm, fuzzy, lovely & exceptional. He smiled...lips still full, tongue visible between them. I am not a person who cries lightly (I mainly save it for being so angry I want to explode) but I welled up. We shared this moment for a long, long time. For me, time ceased to exist. I could hear the plasterers working away in the hall...my husband screwing our new kitchen together...but it all just melted away. Tiny Teddy & I were sharing something I will always cherish.

We giggled at each other...I tickled him. We babbled - speaking that special language only babies are privy to. We sang little rhymes...Teddy's stuffed friends played hide and seek behind my legs. He sat on my tummy & kissed my face. He showed no mercy...pulling my hair roughly (I wonder if I will have any left soon...) to place my face exactly where he wanted it to be. He bounced on my middle & played with the tags of each of his toys with one very concentrated finger.

Finally, after our own special eternity, we wandered out to find Papy.

Later, long after the plasterers had left, I commented to Guy: "This is going to sound a bit soppy...but...the forty-five minutes I had with Teddy on the bed were...well...beautiful."

*"Have you tried moving him?" - yes, yes I have. Unlike nighttime, repositioning during a nap ensures a Teddy who wakes then refuses to go back to sleep.

a new world

Teddy, you have been amazingly patient this past fortnight. Papy & I are renovating our little house...your world is changing rapidly. Walls are gone, a new kitchen is being created...it is not the same place at all!

Limited to a very small playground on the floor...or in your exersaucer...or highchair...or on Mummy...you & I yearn for the day you can roam free once more.

toothy grin

Gummy no more, tooth number two on its way skyward! Spotted today, it will complete the pair of bottom middle toothy-pegs.

I am sure the rest are not too far behind...again, I am wistfully dreaming of my wee baby son...all new & soft, with wobbly lips & gassy smiles...

standing tall

Teddy pulled himself up to standing today. Twice. Once on me...the second to get at the pile of laundry on the couch.

The second typically happened during those moments my back is turned! Already a seasoned climber (despite not crawling on hands & knees yet, commando still the norm), Teddy's upward motion has now increased exponentially...

Both proud & a little teary at the thought of how quickly he is growing up...he'll be a big boy soon...

Mummy's boy

Caught between smug elation tiny Teddy wants me (& only me) all the time & slight panic this separation anxiety phase will stay forever...

whole lotta love

Continuing on our excessive dribble theme (despite his amber necklace)...

Teddy adores his Mama. This is obvious. How I know? He kisses me at every opportunity. An extremely wet, open-mouthed face plant anywhere on me. Nose, cheek, mouth, forehead, knee, eyebrow (that one is interesting because I can see it happening!)...the list goes on.

If we are outside, add 'cold' to the list too. I routinely wonder why my face is damp, then think "ohhhhh...right...".

Whilst being carried, kiss. Whilst busy playing on the floor together, kiss. Whilst climbing all over to try and get something (usually something he isn't allowed to touch), stop and kiss. Then keep climbing!

Whilst snuggling in Mama's bed on chilly mornings...kiss. The best snuggles after all, are bubby snuggles.

bliss

Spent a long time on the floor today rolling around with 7 month old Teddy, blowing raspberries at each other. He is better than me (having access to a better supply of saliva!), however I believe we each covered the other in a satisfactory amount of dribble.

 Experiencing pure joy. Blissful.

singing in the rain

We were productive today, tiny Teddy. Mummy thought it would be a great idea to get out into the fresh air...strapped on the baby carrier and off we went. To the corner store. For a drink of juice, because you know they stock Mummy's favourite.

Off we toddled, you gazing around at the world. Me chatting away to you, or randomly humming a tune, or singing something silly for you.

Halfway up the street, the skies opened on us and it poured with rain. Ha! We sought shelter under a tree and you were interested in experiencing a rain shower firsthand for the first time. The rain got heavier and our protective tree got drippier. We snuggled close and turned to melt further into our temporary saviour. You amused yourself batting the leaves, not at all concerned with the drips running down your nose.

Finally, after a little while, the rain slowed down enough for us to continue on our way. Let's face it - we were already rather wet (and drowned-rat-looking) so why not?

Once we arrived, you busied yourself with grabbing at Mummy's purse as she paid for her juice. Not bothered in the least about our hilarious hairstyles or wet cheeks.

Teddy - today you were caught in your first shower of rain. Given your wonder at this phenomenon, I hope this summer throws a few more our way...

tiny turtle face

Tiny Teddy, I am delighted by your tiny turtle face...your stock standard expression. Lower lip sucked right in, cheeks puffed out...looking around with interest at anything and everything.

You look like a tiny cartoon turtle.

I heart Teddy my tiny turtle...and his tiny turtle face.

slumber, part 3

Tiny Teddy...the emotions you stir in me are numerous, wonderful and large. The way you smile at me, the look of concentration when you are focused, the little bird expression when you open your mouth for the spoon...listening to you coo to yourself when you wake up in the morning, in the moments before you realise you are hungry!

I stirred this morning...still dozy...opened my eyes to what seemed like extremely bright light. It was. The sun was up, had been for a little while. It was 5am. 5 AM! I could not believe it - after all these months of waking once, twice, four plus times per night...you had done it. Slept through - 7pm until 5am.

In typical sleep-deprived-mother style, I have attempted to consider all possible reasons for this sudden change of heart from you. I know I will never know. I know you just fly by the seat of your nappy, taking each moment as it comes. But I did take pains to ensure you were in bed after the same little ritual at the same time. Just in case.

Only time will tell whether last night was a fluke or not. For now, in the moments before I too go to sleep, I will believe it is the start of something beautiful...

bonjour - bon nuit

Part of the joy of children I think is having fun with all the wonderful things about the world we can help them discover. My husband and I, some time ago, decided we would try our very best to raise our children as close to bilingual as they could be...given they will live the majority of their childhood in an English-speaking country with their parents both native english speakers learning another language themselves.

We chose french to be 'our' language...we enrolled in classes and to be honest, can hold our own in a simple conversation. Due to being the go-to person for a very tiny person, I am unable to attend a formal course - but am lucky enough to have a wonderful tutor. She is also a mother, and we have been having great fun with nursery rhymes and songs etc for Teddy. My husband (pre-FIFO) kept up the more formal education and is much better than I am!

One of mine and Teddy's favourite little games involves a back-and-forth of "Tu dit...bonjour!" ("You say...hello!"), "Tu dit...ça va?" ("You say...how are you?")...and so on and so forth...I also try to speak as much in french to him as I can, knowing he will absorb english almost automatically as that is our native tongue.

Although speaking simply to an infant (no matter how much babble you get back) is not extending my knowledge, I am oh-so-smug to know we are helping broaden his language experience - at a time when his brain is starting to form all the important links that will make up his ability to converse later on.

And hopefully, one day, he will pass this appreciation for other cultures on to his children.

knowing you knowing me

Thanks to the amazing Wild Nectarine Dreams for tagging me in the 'knowing you knowing me' series...I'm new to blogging and can't believe what a fantastic little (well, HUGE) world I've been oblivious to all this time. The idea is to get to know a bit about the blogger...here goes:



Rules

• Nominate five other blogs in your post ( All must have less than 250 subscribers)
• Post five random facts about yourself.
• Answer the five questions that the tagger has asked you, then list your own five questions to ask others.
• Let your 5 friends know you have tagged them by commenting on their blog/tweeting them.

My five random facts

1. I am a Phd student of Quantitative Finance, currently on maternity leave.
2. My grandmother taught me to cross-stitch when I was little & I have ever since, I can also knit & crochet.
3. Aboyne in Scotland is my happy place.
4. I am gluten and dairy free - well, 95% of the time (haloumi cheese is my Achilles heel!).
5. I dream of the day I get around to growing my own fruit & veges.

My 5 questions to answer

1. One thing that brings you joy - a tree-lined walk in the early morning/evening
2. One resolution you had for 2012 - enjoy my baby (yep), work toward finishing my thesis (nope)
3. One thing that inspires you - all the lovely blogs I have just discovered, oddly I am much more productive now!
4. If you could have dinner with anyone in history who would you choose - Cleopatra (I have always wanted to travel to Egypt)
5. One thing you would tell your 16 year old self - you are about to make some big mistakes, but you won't regret any of them...oh, and your boyfriend is definitely not 'the one'!

Tag! You're it...

I am tagging the following five people to take part:

Just For Daisy
Sharolyn Joy Newington
The wholefood mama
Little Blue Wren
Vintage Betsy

Your five questions to answer

1. What genre of music do you love most?
2. If you could master a new skill, what would it be?
3. Are you adore paperbacks or do you love your e-reader?
4. The word that best describes you is...
5. How do you like to spend lazy Sunday mornings?

Hope you have as much fun with this as I did!

Much love
Audrey

slumber, part 2

Last night I wrote about my sleeping baby. Tonight I will write again about my sleeping baby...

Teddy has been unusually grouchy today...quick to smile and laugh, but equally quick to scream outrage. Unlike himself, I can only put it down to 'teething' - a seemingly mythical beast that has reared its head after his first tooth has appeared...whatever the reason, I decided to begin our little bedtime routine early tonight as it had been a big day full of big emotion.

Bathtime at 6pm, followed by a feed at quarter past - proving Mummy always knows best and it was indeed an early-to-bed night, tiny T was asleep at my breast shortly thereafter. He has the longest and most lush eyelashes, fluttered lightly closed. His little tongue lapping (it pokes out a little when he feeds) every now and again, just to remind me he was there.

Enjoying the moment, treasuring his little body on my lap, I was aware that I didn't want his little catnap to last too long - lest he not settle well when placed in his cot. I gently removed my nipple, his eyes sleepily opening as realisation dawned. Shaking with the shock of his loss, having been rudely interrupted, tiny Teddy opened his mouth - not so subtly hinting that feeding was not yet over. I repositioned him to take the other breast, his eyes immediately closing before I even lifted my shirt, mouth wide open in preparation.

Little tongue lapping the air.

Once attached, his eyes fluttered open and he gazed into mine for the rest of the feed before collapsing into a deep slumber the moment his wee head hit his bed - bliss.

just keep swimming...

Imagine this in a Dory (from Finding Nemo) sing-song voice...now imagine keeping the enthusiasm while poor little Teddy howls his way through today's lesson. Poor dear, the mix of new teeth, getting up early this morning & a brisk breeze combined to make swimming less than fun.

Unfortunately for little Teddy, both his father and I feel it is of utmost importance to persevere with the swimming adventure - we spend at least a month every summer at the beach. Water familiarity and safety is non-negotiable! Such a pity he didn't enjoy last week or this week - he was an absolute champ for the first two.  

He is now quietly sleeping off the trauma...and I am looking forward to next week, as it can only be better.

Just keep swimming...just keep swimming...

slumber

Nothing so sweet & lovely as a sleeping baby. Teddy currently snoring gently, he rolls on his side toward me now when I adjust his blankets before turning in myself. A little mouth purses & starts sucking something found in his dreamland...

I am weary, temporarily a single mother (boy, do I realize how hard the amazing single mummies work - I take my hat off to each of them)...and so hopeful I will only be woken at 5:30am for a feed.

But a little (teeny tiny) part hopes he will need me more tonight, so I can snuggle his warm little body close...I am becoming ever more aware of how fleeting this time is.

bumps & bruises

This morning was a tad traumatic...for both Teddy & I. A few days ago I wrote about the newly acquired skill of crawling - turns out it is a little hazardous for new players!

In the space of an hour, an adventurous little boy had two very exciting accidents - big on fright, low on injury...to be fair, he does have an impressive mark on his forehead.

I suspect there is more of this to come...

first tooth!

My little baby is gummy no more! Ok, well, maybe still quite gummy - but there is now a very sharp, very white little tooth poking up from his bottom gum. I would post a photo, but as I am not much of a photographer (and flat out getting a shot of him smiling on camera!) I thought a mouth shot would be beyond me...

Following the initial excitement of this afternoon's dental discovery, I thought it amazing little Teddy sprouted it without much of the upset I imagined would accompany such an event. A little cuddlier than usual, perhaps...definitely chewing everything in sight the last day or two...but no more grizzly or in pain or anything than normal. Teddy is one of the happiest and least-grizzly babies I know so there really was no drama. We were drama-less - in fact, I may have missed the whole event had he not shoved my finger in his mouth!

So grateful my little darling is himself while undergoing one of the biggest milestones of his babyhood - getting teeth!

rainy day

Today Teddy was the main attraction at a QUT midwifery class...I dropped in to chat about how my birth went. Everyone loved him! I am extremely passionate about a woman's right to birth her way under the care of midwives, with minimal intervention unless medically necessary.

On the drive home, the weather took a turn for the worse & so we are sitting in the car (while bubby sleeps) on the driveway waiting for the rain to stop. There are worse ways to spend an hour...

movement in a forward direction

So little Teddy has been dragging himself about commando-style for a few weeks now - today is coordinated those limbs to shunt forward on his hands and knees. Woohoo for crawling bubba!

I am so proud of him. Apart from congratulating him on his achievements, I honestly have not been encouraging this behaviour...I am extremely proud he has got there anyway. He now wants to move around whenever he can, including at nap time in his cot!

In a related and cute aside, forward motion has also meant Teddy can get to the person he wants most - me! Often playing with his toys, he'll turn and catch my eye. Giving me a huge grin, he'll about-face and with surprising speed suddenly be tugging at my dress to be picked up.

As soon as he has had his cuddle though, he is wriggling to be put down again. Eager to continue exploring!

that scent

Everyone knows babies smell amazing. I've always known this, but I believe that it isn't until you have one all of your own to smell that you truly 'get it'.

I remember my sister laughing to me about the day she cottoned onto what in particular she loved about her son's smell - he smelt like 'spit'! She giggled and said the spit smell of anyone else would be gross, but he was her baby and she adored his special scent.

Today, after Teddy woke from his nap I could not get enough. Never has inhaling been this good! That unique, warm, milky and slightly sweaty smell he exudes after a sleep just makes me want to snuggle him forever. I'm sure there is a scientific reason behind why we love the way babies smell, but reserve a special place for our own baby's scent. For once, I feel no need to find out how this science works...I am usually a person who enjoys knowing how things work. Not with this.

This time, I am just happy to sit back with my baby in my arms and breathe deep.

thankful

I dropped my husband at the airport again today, more emotional than usual (sleep deprivation...) & I realised I am incredibly thankful to this man. Thankful for the work he does that lets me stay at home with Teddy. Thankful for the sacrifice he makes 3/4 of the time so the 1/4 can be amazing.

Just plain thankful he is my husband & the father of my child.

silly mama

Babies are adorable when they are being cheeky. Fact. They are also adorable when they are being clever.

Yesterday afternoon I was preparing Teddy's dinner. Teddy was all set in his highchair, his Papy was sitting in front of him. They were giggling away, Papy singing silly tunes. I got Teddy's attention and did a silly dance to the silly tune.

The look Teddy gave me was one of complete bemusement. Without changing his expression, he turned toward his father to further demonstrate that he had not the foggiest what his mother had just been doing.

One knows that eventually your children will think you "uncool" and shoot you that look of complete "what-on-earth?". One does not think it will happen before the age of 7 months.

His father, of course, thought the entire situation hilarious. 

For the record...my silly dances usually elicit giggles and/or squeals of delight.

tough love

Little Teddy, oh how we've strayed...gone slowly from a stress-free routine where you slept most of the night away to waking twice or more again. You were growing so I fed you, I was tired so sometimes you came into my bed...now your little spurt is finished we are in a habit. I'm sorry I let this happen...now we have to move on.

Forward to a place of peaceful slumber for the two of us. It will involve tears...maybe from both of us...but I know we can do it. So tonight while I write this, you are going back to sleep following your second wake-up tonight.

Now we wait. Bon nuit.

last night

Little boy, you have been keeping Mama awake...last night, for the third time in your wee life you slept with Mammy. My hip and leg and arm went to sleep along with us, as you refused to stop nursing for the early hours of this morning.

Papy was kept from the snuggle party, lest he accidentally bump you in our slumber...my arm spent the night curled around you as we spooned. I admire those who can regularly co-sleep, I most certainly can not...your little noises keep me up.

I will treasure these rare occasions though, when through my exhaustion you come into my world for cuddles. Bubby snuggles are, after all, the best kind of snuggles!

holiday dreaming...

We are on a family holiday and you are spoilt with attention, little Teddy. Between Papy & Nana you are thriving, being fed a diet of cuddles & play.
Your Mama is spoilt too, having capable hands to take you - I haven't finished so many cups of coffee in a while!

Papy's home

We wait patiently at the window, T stretching forward to touch the screen...a taxi pulls up, and with a woop (from me!) T and I make our way quickly out the door and down the stairs. We pause on the driveway, waiting again for the fare to be paid.

Papy retrieves his bags...dumps them on the ground and leaps towards us. Teddy smiles from ear to ear and reaches for his father - Papy obliges and soon both are giggling together, thick.as thieves once more.

With baby in one arm and the other around his wife, kisses are exchanged...Papy is home!

Papy's ears

T is unashamedly adorable. I am not being biased - I have had many, many, many strangers comment. My family has good-looking babies. The middle years between childhood and adulthood not so flattering, but Teddy is not there yet and so he is adorable.

Yesterday during one of my regular how-did-you-get-so-cute gazing sessions, I noticed how much his ears are like his father's. They don't stick out, but rather have a floppy top bit that is quite sweet.

He doesn't know it yet, but he is a mash-up of his father (ears, forehead & hair) and me (eyes - not colour, his are blue like Papy - nose and lips...he has quite perfect lips...ok, now I'm biased!). I know there are awkward middle years to come, but honestly - right now we're sweet with what we've got, right Teddy?

a red bow

On a knob on his wardrobe T has a red ribbon with white dots on it, tied into a bow. For 6 months he has endeavored to bat it, grab it, pull it and yes - untie it! Last week, success was achieved and the ribbon floated to the floor.

His eyes shone.

Yesterday, I retied the bow. Today, he batted it. Tomorrow he will probably grab it.

Ahhh - the circle of life! I daresay it won't take another 6 months before the ribbon floats to the floor again...

breastfeeding

I love it. T loves it. I am grateful in a thousand ways for my ability to nourish my baby in this way. I am thankful for all the moments we have and all the good it is doing him.

Recently my sister lost her milk and for reasons beyond her control, was forced to wean her 3 month old. My heart broke for her as she grieved her and her little one's loss. Our hearts are now swelling as he thrives on his new milk, growing every day.

I understand that breastfeeding does not work out for everybody. I am sad for those women that have great difficulty. I am grateful (after a few false starts) that our special relationship came easily to T and I. I am thankful it continues into its seventh month and my original goal of breastfeeding for the first year of Teddy's life is effortless.

Today I spent a minute reflecting how beautiful it is to sit on my back steps, with my Teddy in my lap feeding. Smiling and chatting to me with a mouthful of nipple. His eyes gazing into mine, then flitting toward the trees - he loves watching the leaves move in the wind. I thought about how amazing and privileged I feel. I thought about all the pain I suffered in the early weeks and about how happy I am to have persevered to be rewarded with these moments now.

A little hand pulls my hair, drawing my attention back to where its owner prefers it...on him! He smiles up at me, then dramatically rolls away only to roll back a second later. He licks my nipple, then sucks it roughly back and continues to feed.

Yep, we love it.

the slap

Little T, I'm sorry. There - I said it. Many, many times. You understand and you forgive. I'm sorry for the sharp sting of my fingers on your perfect little bottom - I'm happy I hesitated and you didn't pause your wriggle to notice.

I'm sorry I thought a small sting would make you stop and take notice. Really, it would not have mattered one jot had poo got everywhere if you moved while getting a new nappy...I could (and would) have easily cleaned it up.

I like to think I will not contemplate stinging you on the bottom with a little slap again, but the truth is I may. You are a wild, at times stubborn, little boy and I am sure we have many years of testing patience to come. Maybe one day you will test me to a point where I give you a smack. Maybe it will be firm enough and you'll notice.

I hope not.

I like to think we will work together on a form of 'discipline' that satisfies us both...your desire to learn how to navigate our world and my desire to teach you how.

the art of flirtation

My son, the flirt. There is one waitress - a young girl not much older than 15 - to whom he has given his heart. He watches intently as she makes breakfast for customers, standing in my lap as I sneak mouthfuls of coffee behind him. She turns and giggles at him, embarrassed and pleased to be the object of his concentration. T sucks his fingers, smiling and cooing...blowing raspberries at her through dribble and hands.

"He's so adorable!" she repeats, giving in to his attention with smiles. Yes...that's my Teddy...ever the distraction. Remember this time when you are older, little T - when you feel awkward with the opposite sex. Remember that you were born a flirt!

just keep swimming

It was T's first swim - ever - today. My heart swells with pride at the thought...his excitement was evident as he leaned toward the pool...we'd arrived early so he could become accustomed to the sounds & smells of the new and foreign place. He played (read: chewed) with his favourite teether in my lap, slowly soaking up the atmosphere. Soon, a pool of dribble as big as that we were about to enter formed on my leg...he giggled as I tickled him, both eagerly awaiting our turn.

I had been anxious he would hate it. Scream nonstop the entire 30 minutes. I needn't have worried. Hairy moments were had as water splashed him, but he recovered quickly cradled in the arms he adores and with the woman who adores him back. We played together, I concentrated on the new techniques we were learning...T busying himself with chewing every prop we were given, his face crumpling when the moment came to part with his new plaything. I helped him sit on the edge, fall into my arms and climb out...we kicked and splashed and then the final game was played. It was time.

T ducked under the water for the first time in his short 6 months...(not including the odd face-plant in his bath, nor the time he slipped from Papy's sure hold) he spluttered and cried in fright, unsure of this new big bath. He settled quickly enough, grasping my shoulder and gripping my side with iron limbs.

As quickly as it had begun, the lesson was done. To be repeated next week, and the the next and so on for every week we are able. The structured learning of T's life has commenced. No doubt dance and language lessons and various sport will follow in good time. Saturdays will never be the same. Nor should they be...to be part of the magic of T's learning is worth every minute spent on the sidelines. And every minute spent in the thick of it with him is indeed, magic.