Turn on the dark

December (Month 15) Nov« »2003

Thoughts of a little one:

Hey, this walking thing is easy so why not run!
Ah, can't quite get the hang of the stopping thing - ouch!

The accidents are more frequent as he over reaches himself but his progress continues.

Boxing day is down to the in-laws and David amuses folks with a santa hat and ride his new electric motor bike.

At the other Grandparents Claire gets to show Grandma her Snow Fairy outfit - lovely.

And new year's eve Elizabeth does fish cakes!

Little man in santa hat

November (Month 14) Oct« »Dec

Walking now he rarely resorts to crawling. He is feeding himself by hand, sometimes by spoon or fork. His menu is mostly organic and home made concoctions.

We do a trip up to see my parents and, the neices and nephews. We also manage an hur or so out away from the little ones - thanks mum and dad.

October (Month 13) Sep« »Nov

First steps are taken. Bruises are starting to arrive as he fails to complete certain manoeuvres. He is making moves to feeding himself. His menu is very similar to ours, most meals - this does require some compromise on our behalf but it's all healthy stuff!

His first party was a joyous affair enjoyed by both family, friends, and neighbours. It was a good job that the weather held as the kids were able to enjoy the garden to the relief of the adults. The house struggles to cope with the presence of a dozen kids and their parents and grandparents. No everyone could stay for the whole affair but it was nice to see so much of the family together in one place at one time! Add a few friends and you know you are stretching things!

The cake cutting at his birthday party

September (Month 12) Aug« »Oct

David can now stack five blocks on top of each other - pure luck how many he gets as there is very little attempt at balancing them.  He has moments of standing on his own, brief moments of about 8 seconds but it is a start.

August (Month 11) Jul« »Sep

David can now stand up with the aid of tables etc.. He also walked across the room with his walker today (16th. August). He is eating on his own - though it's a real mess! He takes a few minutes to climb the stairs. Food is getting more adult like. He is very much into copying the adults around him, including eating their food - often literally their food! He gets cocky at times when standing, one handed you know! This leads to moments where he forgets, withdraws that remaining support and falls against some hard item of furniture - ouch!

He seems to be saying some words. We reckon we can make out 'ta', 'yes' and 'hello'. He is waving and enjoying Teletubbies. He dances along to tunes he likes. What next we ask?

Paused when swinging in Deepdale Park

July (Month 10) Jun« »Aug

Those heady days of him sleeping through the night have left us behind. The poor soul has more teeth coming through and bad nights mean a parent ends up sleeping with him on the floor after plying him with 'soothing' medicines. As his teeth aren't the only mobile things. Initially he started to shuffle about on his bottom. Shortly after that he master crawling backwards, that is until he bumped into a hard thing. At this juncture he often cries out and waits to be moved to somewhere more agreeable.

By the end of July he has mastered crawling forward and now there is no limit on his movements around the house. All of a sudden we have to be doubly vigilant and the spectre of stair gates loom!

Bath time is a daily event and entertaining time though there are dangers of getting a little wet. You can have no end of fun with a hose.

June (Month 9) May« »Jul

We left the country for a short visit to Disneyland. Our first visit to Disneyland Paris and our little princess joined us. He traveled well but slept badly in the hotel, probably the unfamiliar surroundings. He is un-phased by the foreign languages around him and the large crowds.

We have to ask the hotel to provide a cot despite asking for this at the travel agents. Even on the cot's arrival there are no appropriate blankets. No worries, a thoughtful mother has brought some so we are saved.

Even sleeping in the same room the other three of us can stay up a bit longer. Breakfast is great and the bus drivers helpful. We bumped into Neil Kinnock in the breakfast queue one morning but having a baby trumps that and we get moved up the queue.

Princesses and Palaces!

We stayed in the Disneyland Hotel. It gives you early access into the Park and is very much part of the fabric of the park itself so no worries about travel. You just fall into the park after a lovely breakfast.

Claire wasn't one for the scary rides but in the few days we were there we have some fun and enjoyed the Disney parade. I think we did the small world ride a couple of times (that tune gets in your head and will not budge) as the little man could enjoy that one but then so did the rest of us!

All in all, a great trip. And go enjoy yourselves!

Back in Blighty there are more teeth up top coming through; he will soon have a proper bite mark. Like all kids he is enjoying playing with cardboard boxes. I make one into a sledge thing and another into a chair for him. The big soft gorilla George is a favourite toy at the moment.

Our Tips for a successful visit

• Always have an autograph book and camera ready for the Disney characters
• Never be afraid to push a little, just do it nicely, and for the kids
• Pick any language but try some French occasionally
• Regress a few years, be a big kid, it is what the place is about!
• We never bothered with the fast passes but the early entrance to hotel guests is useful
• Eat early in the evening because it gets very busy after 7 o'clock

May (Month 8) Apr« »Jun

This month he has learnt to shake his wiggly giggler. He is getting quite stable sitting down. A couple more teeth are battling their way through. His hair at the back is finally coming along. He seems to recognize him self in the mirror and has for a while has turned towards someone saying his name.

He's not sleeping during the day - well hardly, has maybe a couple of twenty minute naps.

April (Month 7) Mar« »May

He can roll over onto his front. And now he has his own teeth! All two of them, lower front. The pain he felt, he dutifully shared with the rest of us by disturbing our nights - poor chap. During the day the soothers aren't brilliant either.

Apart from his teeth he regularly goes through the night from 8pm to 7am! Tooth pains mean between one and three breaks, and at worst his Mother has to sleep with him in her arms.

We join the wider family to celebrate with my mother. The grand children did a little poem and read it out. A lovely touch and it was very much appreciated by their grandmother.

The Reading

Month 6 - March Feb« »Apr

Week 26

Poor kid has pink eye. He can almost sit up on his own now! Though not for long.

Week 25

Really going for it big time in the semi-solids!

Week 24

Losing interest in his milk! Much better at staying upright.

Week 23

He is really taking to his new solid diet.

Week 22

Sweet potato is such a delight to the young palate.

Month 5 - February Jan« »March

Week 21

This week it is back to normal.

Week 20

He's slowly getting back to normal amounts of food.

Week 19

We hit trouble in the shape of tummy bugs all round!

Week 18

He is enjoying his baths and continuing the solid food (well sloppy) trial. Baby rice and milk.

Month 4 - January 2001« »Mar

Week 17

Amazing he slept for 11 hours straight for several nights!!!! Of course it didn't last but it was nice and hey it will arrive regularly some day. This weekend we started him on the baby rice.  Three mouthfuls in and two out. Next day more success.

Week 16

This week his mother is ill but he still had to go to child minder to give her some rest time.  By Wednesday Mother is back at school.  David is sleeping better and more frequently longer.

Week 15

Well this week we have the joy of introducing David to the child minder! First morning went fine. He is still a hungry child - wondering if this maybe related to his early days of not getting enough or just a natural survival thing? Anyway he did well. Mother back teaching.

Week 14

Well he is regularly into his baby speak and you'd swear he was talking on occasions (there speaks a parent). Moved onto trying SMA White - for hungrier babies for the occasional feed. He is bringing his wind up much easier or not at all; the latter happening during the night. He enjoys playing with some of his toys now though he is particular about which he has first thing - usually the quieter ones. Must be a slow riser in the mornings - family trait.

Walking on Brow Top Hill