Leo's First Year

Leo's First year in life has been a year for First everything. 

Each new day has brought a new adventure for us to live and a new experience for us to learn from. Each new discovery has taught us both valuable lessons that have allowed us to grow, play and love together.

Leo's very first experience was his journey into the world and that to this very day is the most amazing day of my life. 

As the days since Leo's arrival turned into weeks, we were soon rewarded with the most amazing gift for all the late night feeds and early mornings. Leo's very first smile. For a while it was only his uncle that could make his little cheeks curl into the beautiful gummy crescent moon. Just watching him smiling was the greatest thing, and even now when he smiles I cannot help but think 'Wow'.

When Leo turned 12 weeks old in September 2011, we decided the time was right for him to move into his very own room. Luke and I spent Two days painting his room and getting it all ready before putting him in his big boy cot for the very first time. That night I missed my little baby desperately, but with him growing so quickly his moses basket was becoming pretty snug. The very first night in his cot at 12 weeks old, was the very night he rejected the dummy I had resented giving him, and since then...We have never looked back.

The weeks soon turned into months, and at just over 4 months old, we slowly embraced our weaning journey. Leo took to food right away, he loved baby porridge and that was our starting point. From there we took it very slowly and did not rush ourselves. Now Leo eats like a pro, and loves food with a great enthusiasm. You could say he has a see food and eat it motto...

In October Leo experienced his very first Halloween. In true style a 4 month old Leo and I set about carving pumpkins and taking many a photo! 

In November at 20 weeks old, Leo rolled over for the very first time, and just after this magical moment it was time to jet off to Tenerife for Leo's very first holiday. Leo was only 5 months old and was the model baby as we took off into the sky for a week away in the Winter sunshine. While we were away Leo visited his very first beach, and we collected some seashells for his memory box. His very first seashells.

Shortly after our return from holiday, we were graced with the most heartfelt sound. Leo's very first belly laugh. A noise that erupted from the very pitt of his tummy. That rang loud and true and brought a smile to anyone and everyone that witnessed it. Leo has always been such a happy baby boy and continues to make us smile everyday.

Winter was here and we were now eagerly awaiting Leo's very first Christmas. Despite Leo only being just over 5 months old we decided to make it a Christmas to remember and implement our traditions early on. We took Leo to ride on the Santa Express, where Santa was visiting with all his Elves.

The Christmas Tree was covered in our little man's very own decorations and this years tree was extra special, as it was Leo's first. Our little man even received a very special letter. A letter from the not so little man in Red! When the big day arrived, Leo saw Christmas in with style...

With the new year upon us, many new firsts were about to broaden our horizen. Leo's first tooth popped through in January at 6 months old. I had many feelings about this but excitement won over in the end. Then out of nowhere he began to clap his little hands. My heart melted...

Winter was still all around us at the end of January, and although it was hat and coat weather. We still braced the park for a morning walk, and this is when Leo and I fed the Ducks together for the very first time.

In February we saw the first and only snow fall of Winter. My hopes for a White Christmas had been dashed, but Leo finally got a glimpse of the white stuff!

By mid February Leo had a new found mobility - crawling. This was the beginning of our constant on the move, not being able to sit down adventure. Leo currently prefers to crawl over finding the use of his Two feet! This was also the month he discovered his wave, and now he loves to wave at everyone we come across. It is surely a great way to make friends on the train! 

Back in May Leo discovered that he could use his walker to get around the house. Cruising and using the walker were very exciting. Still...He was yet ready to put one foot in front of the other and walk.

It was in May that we began hearing actual words coming from Leo's little mouth, and then in June we took Leo to see his very first firwork display. It was here that he also had his very first fairground ride.

That sums up Leo's very first year and many of the first's that he has experienced. Some amazing moments for Leo and myself, precious moments that I count my lucky stars for being able to re-live at any moment I choose to. 

It was Leo's very first Birthday on Wednesday June 27th and we have come such a long way. We have both grown from our exciting year together and I know that we still have many firsts to come, and I look forward to them. We are now into our Second year together and I cannot wait to share our adventures with you.

Who took my baby?

Leo is fastly approaching 11 whole months old, and he will be 1 before I know it. I sit here wondering where that tiny baby boy has gone...You know, the one I brought home from hospital all those months ago.

He has just disappeared. He was there one day and the next he had been replaced with this beautiful boy with a larger than life persona. The most cheekiest chappy you could hope to meet, with nothing but trouble on his mind.

Leo has taken to climbing, much to my horror of course...If he can escape the living room he makes a bee line for the stairs, and he has no problem getting all the way to the top (watched very closely by myself), if he can't quite escape...Well he can climb everything he likes these days, even me if the need arises.

This morning I caught him climbing on the side of his ball pool, just so he could reach the television on/off button. He knows he shouldn't be doing it as when I ran over to him, he shot me a smile that spoke a thousand words, pretty much telling me he was going to do it despite my reservations.

Leo is becoming more confident on his feet everyday, he would much rather stand than sit and there have been a few instances over the past few days, where he has even stood un-supported for a couple of seconds. He just seems to take everything in his stride and he is always on the look out for the next new thing he can do. I guess he is finally seeing the world the right way up and walking will be the best way to see the wonders that await him.

Next month is Leo's birthday, June the 27th. I find it hard to believe a year has almost passed since Leo made his way into our lives. He has enriched every single day, and I find it incredibly hard to remember a time before Leo. It is amazing seeing how he has developed and grown over the past 10 and a bit months...and I can't believe I am going to be Mummy to a One year old.

Daddy and I have started making birthday preparations, and hastily getting lot's of special presents together. What I really want for Leo is a wooden playhouse. I know I am perhaps re-living my childhood through my beautiful boy, as this is something I always wanted...and never got, but I am so excited at the prospect!

This playhouse is going to be something Leo can grow into and play make believe games, while enjoying the great outdoors. It is going to look amazing. It is going to be something he can share with his cousin as he or she grows up. At 12 months he may be a little young for it, but as he has demonstrated, he is growing up so quickly and it won't be long before he is ready to play!

I of course don't have the money for such a extravagant present at this moment in time, so until that first pay cheque comes in July, Leo will be busily enjoying all of his other presents that we have put to one side. Watch this space though...As Leo will be happily playing in his play house before you know it.

I am going to kit this house out, and it is going to be a toy haven. The walls will be wall papered and the floor will be carpeted. It will have a little sofa inside on the upper floor and a John Crane Kitchen at the heart. Yes I know...I really am re-living my childhood, but I think as Leo grows he is going to get so much play value out of this. I would much rather encourage his imagination and help him make his own games, than sit him in front of the television all day long. I grew up playing outside and using my imagination, and I want to give Leo this gift too.