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Dearest My 17 Month Old

May21

Hello Baby,

I know, I know, I’m pretty late with this one. I blame your Auntie S for having a 5 day wedding week!! I am so knackered and spent the whole day pretty much shuffling around and taking you to the park so that you could tire yourself out. I could have quite easily had a nap on the grass. But then I may have been mistaken for a hobo and that’s probably not too wise.

You had a spectacular time. You ran like I’ve never seen you run before. I’m pretty sure you must have run half a marathon over those 5 days. I’ll never know how you kept going but maybe one day you might be a long distance runner. Or something. And I don’t think anyone will forget the wedding ceremony, during a particularly serious prayer, you decided you would stand up and do your bum wiggle dance, in full view of everyone. You giggled as you were doing it and my shocked face and loud whispers of “Noooo baby!” just spurred you on. I tried in vain to clamp you down into my lap but you just sprinted off. There was a lot of muffled giggling as I eventually grabbed you and held on tight. After that I passed you onto daddy for the rest of the wedding. Poor Daddy.

So what else have you been doing? I’ve been trying so hard to get you to say “Mummy” that I almost didn’t notice your language has developed so much in other ways. As Daddy pointed out, you have your own words for certain things. It took me a while to realise it but I had a sort of falsetto hallelujah moment. So far the Baby Z book of words contains…

“Tutti” for Dummy

“Daaadaaa” for Daddy (or for Mummy if you’re feeling generous)

“Toos” for Shoes

“Niiiiice” for Nice

“Byyyyyye!” for Bye

“Baaaaaabaaaaa” for Balamory (This is usually sung very loudly which is so cute. I’m actually a bit worried you’re starting to go off In the Night Garden. We are going to watch them live in August. Please like them just for a bit longer!)

Some people don’t think this is good progress. Maybe they think you should be talking like Stewie from Family Guy by now. So by next month I expect you to say “What the deuce” in the Queen’s English. Good baby.

I was reading the Babycenter emails today and it said you should be brushing your own teeth by now. You will be pleased to know you kind of do. You actually pretend for a bit and laugh. Then you eat all the toothpaste whilst keeping your mouth open because its such a strong taste. You must have a really minty fresh gut. I usually then end up pinning you down and brushing your teeth for you.

You’re worrying me a bit, you’ve decided food is for the weak and you just don’t need it anymore. You will either shake your head or, occasionally, even roll your eyes at me and refuse to open your mouth. I hope know this is a phase but it would be good if you could take after both me and your Daddy and scoff everything in sight. Well, more your Daddy than me. Obviously. Ahem.

Anyway baby, I better shuffle off to bed seeing as I still feel pretty tired after the wedding week.

Until next time baby. Mmmwah!

 

 

Morning

May15

The theme in Tara’s gallery this week is Morning.

I’ve seen some wonderful photos over on Instagram of people’s mornings – from breakfast and that first cuppa, to sunrises, journies to work/school, what they’re wearing and photos of feet up with a book and a bar of chocolate! As ever, interpret the theme any way you like.

A nice cup of tea, and eggs, beans and toast popped into my head instantly. Then I realised. I hardly ever have time for brekkie when I’m rushing around in the mornings to get myself and Baby Z out to work.

One very memorable morning then came to mind. Sitting on what was a “dull” day we sat on the beach and watched the early morning sport enthusiasts jet skiing around. It feels like many moons ago now as I tried to eat my bodyweight in pancakes and omelettes for an entire week.

MADs – The Finals

May11

Each morning is the same in our house. We wake up and negotiate sleepily, in a slightly slurry fashion, about who should get into the bathroom first. This can go on for about 5 minutes. You’d think we’d just be grown ups about it and take turns but when Baby Z gets into bed at around 4am and then batters you, break dance style, for half the night then every ounce of sleep is worth fighting for. Being a woman, of course, I win this argument and snatch a whole extra 10-15 minutes whilst I catch up on Twitter get some more kip. Yesterday, for reasons unknown, I woke up feeling kind (not that I am NOT kind) and decided I would let the OH have a lie in before the madness of our working day started. (I also negotiated a lie in on Sunday, hooray!) Today, Twitter would have to wait.

What a day to make Twitter wait!

Two hours later I was nearly setting my phone on fire tweeting furiously in shock; mainly the words “Oh My God!” (Sorry to the people who follow me that probably just saw this on repeat for about 3 hours!).

For those that didn’t see my crazy excited tweets, I have made it to the finals of the MADs 2012. THE MADs!! The Best New MAD Blog Category.

A couple of weeks ago I was absolutely delighted to see my name in the nominations list and didn’t expect to get much further. So to get into the final 5 of the Best New Blog category absolutely made my day. I spent most of the day sneaking onto Twitter like a naughty child, occasionally shaking my phone in bad reception areas (because everyone knows shaking it gets you reception), and trying to pretend I was keeping up with work emails. It was a good day.

So I want to thank everyone that voted me or to the judge that thought my blog was worthy of a wildcard entry. Either way, I am so pleased to be a finalist. My absolute favourite bit of all (so far) is having the shiny Finalist badge on the side of my blog. I get to keep that, right?

What now? The final stages of voting opened at noon yesterday. I am in the Best New MAD Blog category. So if you do like my blog and think I am worthy of a vote then please vote for me via the MADS voting form.

Thank you!

(Baby Z stories will resume shortly. He isn’t scared of the hoover anymore. Gawd…)

Dearest Baby at 16 Months!

Apr20

Hello Little Man!

16 months?  That’s two months away from “18 months”!.  You know?  When I can say “He’s one and a half!”.  That’s like saying I am the mum of a little boy, not a baby!  I know I should be calling you a “Toddler” now and not “Baby Z” but that just makes you seem so grown up.  I’ve been thinking I might call you “Baby Z” for a few years yet.  Maybe till you start high school or something.

So what have you been doing?  Well, its been a busy month with wedding galore.  Your “uncle” in Leicester got married and we drove down without Daddy for 4 whole days.  I had it all planned out.  Packed absolutely everything I could think of and was so prepared I could have opened a baby shop from my car boot!  You were absolutely great.  For the first 3 hours I mean.  Then it came to bedtime ad you screamed the place down.  You wanted your own bed and your own daddy and nothing else would do.  No amount of rocking, singing or walking around with you would work.  After about two hours you decided to give in and go to sleep.  I was so frazzled that I vowed I would drive back home first thing the next morning.  I was half tempted to drive straight back that night but I was so knackered I fell asleep even with you sleeping almost glued to my side with your arms wrapped tightly around me to make sure I wouldn’t leave you.  I woke the next morning with aches in places I didn’t know could ache.  You woke up like a little chatty sweet angel, as if you were home again.  You then spent the next couple of hours having a glorious time in the kitchen of the person whose house we were staying at, slamming doors, running off with pots and pans and slamming even more doors.  I decided I would see how we went and we ended up having a great time at the wedding.  I’ve decided though.  We will never go to another wedding without Daddy.  Ever.

This month you’ve also learnt a new game.  Running through people’s legs.  You pretty much hurtle, full throttle, towards anyone that’s standing up and then try to run through their legs.  Now, for your tall Daddy, this isn’t a problem at all.  But at 5 foot nothing, this is a slight problem for me.  And when you do it in view of others, its slightly awkward trying to stop you.  You either just try harder or will demonstrate your dramatics and swoon backwards in a majestic tantrum.

You’ve also learnt a few words (hurrah hurrah!!).  You’ve started saying “Happy Birthday!” …which actually comes out “Aapeee Daaaay!” but you can spend about an hour just repeating it over and over which sounds very cute.  I sometimes try to trick you into repeating “Mumeeeeee” but you will stop abruptly as if you have busted me and stare for a couple of seconds before carrying with your “Aapeee Daaaay!” chanting.   You can also say “Three!”  (it comes out “EEEeeeee!”) if we say “One! Two!…”  This second one is really cute and we love being pushy parents and showing off these new party tricks.

If over the next month you’d like to say “mummeeee” then that would be lovely!  Not that I mind being called “Daadaa!” but, you know…just, if you want to! ;)

We took you to the zoo for the first time this month and you were so fascinated with the little monkeys.  You kept touching the glass to touch them and you couldn’t take your eyes off them.  You weren’t too bothered about the other animals but your Daddy had us running around the entire zoo so we wouldn’t miss any of the feeding times.  Between the both of you I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a pair of excited boys.  We came home completely shattered but it was a lovely day out.

You’re still fairly scared of the robot hoover but we can see you’re trying to psyche yourself up to go near it.  Recently you even go right up to it and try to touch it.  Once though you managed to switch it on by accident and as soon as it started moving you promptly ran away screaming.  That was really funny! 

Oh, and one last thing…today I booked tickets for In the Night Garden live!  I know.  It’s just SOOO exciting isn’t it?  It’s not till August so you’ll be a bit older by then and not freak out hopefully enjoy it properly.  We’re even seeing Iggle Piggle afterwards!!

So, until next time baby! Mmmwah!!

What People Say…

Apr9

When I became a brand spanking new mum just over a year ago, there were a few things that hit me quite hard in the face. Sleepless nights, poo, endless feeding times and exhaustion were just some of them. One other quite big thing was the advice of others. Or rather, baby related comments. It was like walking through a door from a place where people reserve judgement, nod politely at your opinion and talk about neutral things like the weather to a place where the world and his dog are “baby experts”. Every has an opinion and heck they will give it to you. Whether you’ve asked for it or not! Everyone from your immediate family to your inlaws friend’s neighbours. And chances are, if you are or were anything like me (completely clueless), it is the perfect way to send a first time mum running for the hills. Whilst, of course, running for the hills thinking you are a mad / bad / overprotective / underprotective mum.

The good news is that you do start to wise up quite quickly and as you and your baby gets older you will learn to transition from crazed tears of anxiety (from yourself) to an uber cool mother that can learn to grit her teeth, smile and offer a cup of tea all at the same time. Mostly.

It goes something like this….

In the begininning:
What People Say: “Oh don’t you think he should be drinking more than that? He looks very underweight?”
What you think: Wha? OMG. Underweight? I’m a terrible mother, I don’t even know my OWN baby! How will I look after him? Surely I should have known he needs more milk??? Waaaaaaaah!
What you say: I’m going to ring the midwife right now.
And then a bit later to stunned OH: I Hate yooooou. You don’t support me enough!
Later Still to the perplexed OH: I’m sorry…I’m just so tired!

When Baby is a bit older…
What People Say: “Don’t you have him in a routine yet? He should be sleeping through the night by now”
What you think: Wha? OMG! He should be sleeping through by now? I knew it!! There’s something wrong with him isn’t there? Is it me?
What you say: I’m going to ring the midwife right now….(whilst simultaneously trying to rock a wide awake baby back to sleep for the 5th time).
What you say to the perplexed OH: “He’s not sleeping, it’s all my fault…Waaah. Oh, and yours tooooo!”

As the fog clears a bit more when Baby is a bit older:
What People Say: “Dont give him a dummy / He should be eating a full plate full by now / He should be drinking a pint of milk in one go”.
What you think: Oh shut up!!
What you say: “The midwife said he’s fine”.
Later: “Waaaaaahhhhhh!”

Even later still when Baby starts rolling over, crawling around etc…
What People Say: “Shouldn’t he be walking / talking / running by now?”
What you think: (In the style of the 1970′s Batman series) Waaallllopp!! Kerranggg! Splaaaat (flicks V’s)”
What you say: “He’s absolutely perfect. [Smile] Would you like a cup of tea?”
Later: “*Sigh*, Some people are just rude. Ooooh cake!”

Wedding Season

Apr3

Wedding season in my family is usually the start of organised mental chaos. Coming from an Indian background means all weddings last a multiple of days. The first of many such weddings starts next week. A 4 day event. Argghh! With a toddler in tow. Arrrrgh!

It’s my “cousin” that is getting married. We’re not actually related but they are still “family” and therefore that means we must attend all the days. He is my maternal aunt’s hubbies’ first cousins’ son. Actually, that means we are related after all. And you could even say we’re “close family”.

This will be the first time Baby Z will be going to a wedding as a toddler which is already filling me with dread. He has decided he no longer likes to be strapped into his car seat so if he isn’t trying to break out of it Houdini style, he is exercising his lungs at full volume in the hope that a full blown 10 minute tantrum will defeat me into pulling up and letting him out. I have to admit it’ll be mildly amusing watching my cousin, who is travelling down with us and, who has no experience of babies whatsoever, attempt to calm a frenzied Baby Z midst tantrum screaming. Tee hee (I know, I am evil).

I also had grand plans to get into shape for this wedding and have been trying to dutifully follow BodForTea’s excercise group. I started oh so well but Baby Z has discovered its fun to sit on my belly whilst I try to do sit ups and bounce up and down for maximum fun. On days where i don’t want to vomit I sometimes end up not doing sit ups.

He has also learnt the art of hairdressing. Deciding he doesn’t actually like my fringe anymore, he will regular scowl at me with all the concentration of a good hair stylist, lean over and then push my fringe out of my face. Whilst holding onto it. He might then let go. He might not. He might also decide to try to push it back to where it was. On the plus side I guess I don’t need to pay for a stylist if I decide I need one!

My one mission is to try to look presentable all 4 days. This means…

Not finding food anywhere on my self. Particularly my knee area, which has become Baby Zs personal mouth wiping place.

Not finding food stains on my shoulders or arms

Actually being able to get into my dresses whilst being able to breathe

Not arriving frazzled to one of the days on account of super “let me out of the car seat” tantrums

Not singing theme tune to Zingzillas unless I absolutely have to.

Not having my fringe pulled and re-styled mid party

Not having food chucked at me

Stopping Baby Z from trying to empty his bottle of milk onto people’s floors.

Keeping Baby Z clean-ish all 4 days

That’s do-able. Right?

The Friendevous

Mar29

Baby Z has been having a bit of a “Friendevous” these past few weeks. I thought it was a bit of a phase but now I fear he is becoming a bit attached to her. By her, I mean our washing machine. Each day, when we finally get home from work, as soon as I put him down, he will run as fast as he can to the far corner of the kitchen where our washing machine stands obediently. He greets her by yelling and babbling happily. Sometimes, when he’s really excited he even does a bit of a tap dance and a twirl if the mood takes him. He then proceeds to reach up and push the ON button and then does an extra little jig when the “ON tune” plays.

He will hover around her all day and constantly push the ON/OFF button to make sure she knows he is there. Even mid spin!! Suffice to say I am now constantly confused as to where I am up to with the laundry. Has it finished? Has it not? Was it on spin? Should I start again? Arrrghh! Mind you I have been guilty, on occasion, of letting him entetain his friend so that I have a quiet 5 minutes to do the dishes.

His other favourite thing is to constantly shut the washing machine doors as soon as they are open. The OH and I are currently being subjected to painful arm trapping as we attempt to load/unload whilst Baby Z simultaneously shuts the door. Hard. He’s also decided that the fridge magnets look much nicer on the washing machine and has tried to reach as high as he can and decorate her. On days when he can’t be bothered bashing her buttons he will simply smile when the spin comes on and imitate her with an emphatic “Bhoooooooooooo!”

My biggest fear is that one day I am going to come home to a fed up and broken washing machine who has finally had enough of her buttons being punded. After a scare this week where the little fancy light display said “PF” (Eh? What does that mean?) I had to take drastic action. Baby Z and the washing machine are now banned from spending any time together. He isn’t taking the separation too well and is spending parts of the day trying to break into the kitchen. They are separated by a door handle at the moment. His inability to reach and turn it fully is the only thing keeping him from bashing her buttons and doing his little jig. Any time he does escape into the kitchen he will defiantly point to the washing machine and exclaim “TA!” which I think translates to mean “I need to do bash those buttons and do my bum wiggle dance”.

We are hoping we don’t have to unleash the “Washing machine guard dog”, the one thing he is afraid of…the Hoover. For now, we’re hoping this Friendevous passes by quickly!



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