Blogged!

Harrison got featured on the What My Baby Wore Today blog over here...

http://whatmybabyworetoday.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/thursday-20th-march-2014-todays-star.html

I had to take a lot of photos of him wearing various cute outfits then send them with links to Lou who runs the blog. It was a lot of fun for me, I think Harrison got bored of all the outfit swaps though! 

Tears and Tantrums

This is the face of the little man who does not want to wear sunblock. 

At 4.5 months, Harrison has developed quite a personality. Usually such a happy, smiley, laughing boy, the last two weeks have shown us a different side to his character. Little paddies and growls of frustration have become a daily norm, as he struggles to understand his feelings and carry out tasks his growing mind so desperately wants to do. If he's being particularly grouchy, simply leaving him alone in a room whilst I carry out one of the myriad chores is enough to set off an impressive vocal range of whining. And if left unattended too long, he will work himself up into quite a tantrum (with real tears and everything!).

Of course, I can usually nip any grumpy behaviour in the bud early on with my amazing repertoire of silly faces / songs / dances, and I of course do not leave him alone for long, especially if he starts getting upset. In fact, it's amazing how jobs that take 30-40 minutes (like cleaning the bathroom) can be finished in mere moments once his angry little cries start up. As a new mum, I used to drop everything and rush to him at the merest hint of a sob. Now I've learnt the difference between his whining cries for attention (usually greeted by cheeky grins the second he sees me) his frustrated huffs and his actual, fearful howls. You know the ones, where the bottom lip drops and their cry is louder than a passing freight train. 

The upshot of his mental development happening right now is that there will be tears and tantrums, but there are also proper cuddles, whole babbling conversations, giggle fits and plenty of smiles and kisses. 

One Year On...

It's so hard to believe that a year ago now I'd just found out I was pregnant. Remembering the nerves and the odd feeling of realising something, a tiny little life, was growing inside me. The incredible journey I've been on in the last year has been overwhelming, exhausting, a huge learning curve but undoubtedly the greatest year of my life. Looking down at my little boy who is fast asleep in my lap, I get a lump in my throat as my mind replays the sorrows and fear when I thought I was losing him, and also the indescribable joy as I felt him kick and writhe inside me. 

I'm still on that journey. Everyday brings a new challenge, a new song to sing to soothe him, a new game to play, a new experience of being Harrison's mummy. On Friday last week he rolled over for the first time - from his tummy to his back. Of course, it happened as I went out if the room for 10 seconds to put a nappy in the bin! I returned to see my boy's wry grin as he realised what he'd just done. There was most definitely a twinkle in his eye! I would have felt terrible if he hadn't rolled straight back over when I flipped him over again. And now that little manoeuvre, that used to take 10 minutes of coaxing and dangling squeaky toys near his head, now takes seconds as he rolls himself every time he's on his tummy. Of course, it's only in one direction now, but who knows? Maybe next week he'll conquer the other side, his little fists bunched with pride and his eyes a-gleam. 

Other things Harrison can do...

1. Coos, sighs and makes funny sounds as he learns that making noises whilst moving your mouth and lips makes different sounds

2. Supports his head (he's done that from a very young age anyway)

3. Supports his head, neck and shoulders by lifting them off the ground during tummy time

4. Copies sounds (especially when I say and sign 'I Love You' - it really does sound like he's trying it say it back!

5. Kicks his legs like he's running on the spot

6. Splashes in the bath with all limbs

7. Grabs toys, hair, clothes etc and puts them in his mouth (or tries to)

8. Swats at things, pushes toys away

9. Stands up and sits up sturdily if supported

10. Giggles and laughs at things he finds funny (normally me and J)

It's so funny to think that a year ago he was just a few cells rapidly multiplying and now he's a living, breathing baby, kicking around on his playmat, getting cross with me when I put his coat on and laughing away when I catch him spying on me. Harrison is a proper little baby boy now with so much character. He is just a joy to be around and I'm so excited for the next year! What will he be doing one year on from now I wonder...