Holidays and High Jinks

Last week we went on our first family holiday to Dorset. We stayed in a lovely little cottage, about 6 miles from Lyme Regis, and celebrated 3 milestones - J's birthday, Harrison reaching 7 months old and J leaving his job in London. 

We had a really wonderful time and it was so good to spend quality time together, surrounded by glorious countryside, rolling hills and the breathtaking Jurassic Coast. We spent days eating fish and chips and fudge on the beach at Lyme Regis, climbing up Jacob's Ladder and exploring deep underground caves in Cheddar Gorge and trekking miles of perfect powder-white cliffs at Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. 

Harrison, always such a chirpy ray of sunshine, took the change in scenery in his stride and slept well in his travel cot, quite possibly exhausted from the exciting adventures of the day. As for me and J, we got to spend evenings cuddled up drinking in this view and some delicious moscato rosé. 

It's no lie that that we face some real changes as a family now as J embarks on a new path for his career, but perhaps it was the long car journeys filled with good conversation, the moments of peace surrounded by nature, the fun of the seaside or the joy of standing on a cliff top marvelling at our beautiful world with the two people I love best in all the world, but I feel renewed. I feel whole. I feel like we have made amazing memories for us and our boy. And I feel excited for these new changes and for how they will shape our family's future.

As for the latest on our little bundle of joy, he is learning new skills at an alarming rate! Sitting up on his own is now a doddle. He now does a funny little wiggly dance when he's excited. He reaches out for me, J, his favourite toys. He grins and giggles with glee when he hears his Iggle Piggle sing it's song. He laughs at my silliness and revels in the dodgy dances, songs and tricks I perform. I'm his personal entertainer and have an embarrassingly large repertoire of daft things I will do to see his gorgeous, gummy grin. Of course, when J does something silly or joins in, it's even better and we will lapse into our comedy duo routine, much to Harrison's delight. 

J's career change means that currently we are blessed with lots of family time whilst things get up and running. I'm so overjoyed that J gets to see more of his son now, at this most precious and exciting time of his life. Now I have someone to share those magical moments with when Harrison performs tricks of his own, whether it's finishing a bowl of porridge in the morning without a fuss or doing his little jig when In the Night Garden comes on the TV. 

Sometime I do feel like it's the little things that matter the most in life. And Harrison is the littlest of us all. 

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...