Subtle Changes

It’s amazing how quickly things come to pass.

How subtle changes can happen overnight,

and before you know it they are simply accepted as the norm.

The way things have always been…

I know this not to be the case.

I notice these changes, and I want to remember them.

Because life just fly’s by far too quickly these days.

Once upon a time you would only ever sign for your milk.

Never ever would you actually say ‘milk’, to this day you still don’t

If you wanted more milk in the night you would simply shout ‘Mumma, More!’

Until one night you exclaimed ‘Mumma bottle!’ or even ‘Mumma! Bot Bot!’.

It was one more subtle change that clarified how you were learning all the time.

The term ‘Bot bot’ had come from your Uncle talking to your baby cousin, and you had remembered it and submitted it to your own vocabulary.

The little boy who used to run when I said it was bath time now happily climbed the stairs for his ‘bubble bath’, and even lay down as though you were trying to swim as you splashed around so contently.

In fact these days you didn’t want to get out of the bath at all… and each bath time was a mission to splash Mumma as much as you possibly could.

Now whenever I dropped you off at Granny’s house you insist on telling me to take my coat ‘off’. Your way of thinking seemed to be that if Mumma didn’t have her coat on… Then I wouldn’t be able to go to work.

The way all of a sudden you are the most affectionate little guy in the whole wide world. Throwing your arms around me and giving me the most squishiest of cuddles. The way you kiss me completely out of the blue and worry if you accidently hurt me. You give nose snuggles and high fives and even love to clink your juice cup with Mumma’s to say ‘Cheers’.

All changes that have come to pass.

Each a small detail in the grand scheme of things,

But a change and lesson that has been imprinted upon you,

As you learn about this big wide world we live in.

Changes that are shaping you into the most amazing little guy,

Subtle changes that sometimes get lost among all of the bigger things that life throws at us.

But I am here and I’m watching you.

I’m listening to you.

And they won’t go un-noticed.

Toddler See, Toddler Do - Week 8

How Leo changes in a week never ceases to amaze me, his little mannerisms becoming more pronounced and his learning's of this weird and wonderful world that we live in becoming more apparent.

Leo only needs to see how something works once before he knows exactly what he should be doing with it. His fascination with the washing machine has enabled him to now turn it on all by himself. He can push all of the buttons and even turn the dials, which means he can alter the temperature and endanger all of our clothes to the horrors of colours running!

One of the most special times with Leo is always bedtime. It is a time where we can snuggle close while he drinks his bedtime bottle of milk, and although he is winding down from a busy day he is usually in the most amazing mood. I find myself sitting in awe of him as I see the sleepy expression flicker across his face, which in the next instance is replaced by the biggest, most beautiful smile beaming up through his milk. This of course promotes a chain reaction, how cannot I not smile back at this beautiful boy who just brings out the very best in me?

This one smile soon brings with it a series of little games before Leo succumbs to the overwhelming urge to sleep. He covers up his eyes and awaits my cue 'where has Leo gone? Leo!? Where are you!?' this prompts giggling on both parts as Leo suddenly relinquishes his hands from his eyes and says 'buh' which is his attempt at saying 'boo'.

Leo is now learning the names of different parts of the body, and he tends to use this quiet time with Mummy to put his learnings into action. He can be lay so still in my arms really concentrating on drinking his milk, when all of a sudden his finger will be in my mouth pointing out my teeth. I take this moment to tell him what they are and show him his too. He is fascinated by eyes and loves to point these out to me.

I can ask Leo where his head, hair, eyes and teeth are and he will usually direct me to the correct part of the anatomy. Seeing his learning come along like this really is magical, and I love knowing that I am playing such a big role in these learnings.

While Leo lays there in my arms at this time of night he does not wriggle to get down, or try to run away from me. This really is our time, and after a long day at work this is the greatest highlight of my day.

I mentioned recently that Leo had began hitting out in frustration, a form of behaviour that I dislike immensely and will not accept. Looking back I would pin point this starting around the time I returned to work. It felt like he was maybe angry at my actions and punishing me for daring to leave him. Over the last couple of weeks I have seen him lash out less and less, we have been addressing the problem and it looks to be working although he does get frustrated and regress, I am happy with the improvement in how often this happens. 

Leo is a very active little man and it goes without saying that he can get very excited, but I knew and I know that he is such a sweetheart. I hated the thought that his actions may provoke negative thoughts about my parenting and my baby boy.

Leo recently mastered the sign for 'more' and he uses it as and when he feels like it. Completely on Leo's terms of course. The other night after he had eaten his dinner and a banana, I offered him a little chocolate treat, and this treat was welcomed with an open mouth meaning it was a big hit! He sat there quietly eating his little chocolate before I saw him signing across the table at me. The cheeky little monkey was signing for more, over and over again. Being the naughty mummy that I am and because I felt that as he had signed his intentions instead of crying, I happily obliged in giving him one last little bit of chocolate.

It just goes to show that he really does know what he wants. I had previously asked him whether he wanted more dinner, and he completely ignored my question. Neither did he want a yoghurt. But then with no offer or encouragement he told me that he would like more chocolate.

Now it is time to try and implement a few other signs into our daily lives. If you are going to take up baby signing I highly recommend sticking with it as it can take a while for them to pick up the signs, but once they start picking it up they learn so fast. With my return to work signing took a back seat but since Leo turned one he has been more susceptible to picking up the signs.

So what have your little ones been up to this week?

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Toddler See, Toddler Do - Week One

Since returning to work a week ago, I have not taken as many photos as I usually would. 

This is just one of many things that have slipped through my fingers... 

I have not captured Leo's ever changing personality, and all of the new amazing things that he has began to do. Work seems to have taken over and this post is where I correct all that. 

'Toddler See, Toddler Do' is my brand new weekly post, where I put all the new things that Leo does throughout the week, all of those new achievements and cheeky moments that I don't want to just pass me by. You are all welcome to join in and link up at your leisure!

On Tuesday 24th July, the day before I made my return to the world of work. Leo learnt to push himself up to standing without the assistance of a object. I was amazed that after just 20 whole days since taking those very first wobbly steps, he could now stand up all on his own whenever he wanted too. He has began to pick up speed as he toddles along, and more often than not he runs directly into you after losing all break control. Leo's balance is second to none now, and he is loving his new found ability to walk.

Leo has started to sing, he hums and makes little sing song sounds. If you begin to sing a nursery rhyme to him he will begin his special harmony. These days instead of crying when he goes down for a much needed nap, you will often hear his beautiful angelic voice ringing out through the monitor. Leo sounds so content and happy when he sings his little songs and it never ceases to put a big smile on my face.

Leo has become a proper little bruiser, and is very accustomed to bumping and falling. So much so that he barely even feels it anymore, and if he does, he does not show it. He can tumble over and just get straight back up again, as though nothing has happened. Last night he ran into the corner of a table and did not shed a single tear, and it was only when washing his hair I found a great big lump, that actually looked pretty sore. But no, he was not phased at all. 

Then tonight he suddenly discovered that if he pushed a bean chair up to a foot pouf that we have in our lounge, then he could sit like a king on the very top. When he reached the peak he looked at me with the most triumphant look upon his face and then proceeded to turn around and climb back down the right way! This is a first as Leo usually lunges head first off any and every object that he finds himself perching upon. Of course as soon as he climbed back down...He was climbing back up to the top again. A brand new party piece for him to enjoy...

Leo has also discovered Flies this week, and he can imitate the very familiar 'Buzzing' noise. If I see a fly and ask Leo where it is he will point and extend his hand to touch it. We both had a big shock when the Blue Bottle landed on his finger last night, and Leo found it so funny. Of course...I then had to get his hands all washed. Pesky fly...

As for bath times...Wow! If I thought Leo splashing his legs up and down as fast and hard as he possibly could was a soaking back in those early days. Well...Now he sits up, converts to standing and slowly but surely throws each and every single toy out of the bath and onto my lap. Cups, Singing Dolphins, anything and everything he can get his hands on, comes and soaks every inch of me. Leo stands there laughing hysterically each time a new toy fly's out of his hands. Knowing that he is one mischievous little monkey!

It is not all rosy though, as Leo has also started to demonstrate his anger and can throw a real temper tantrum as and when he feels like it. If things don't go his way then he will scrunch his hand into a fist and contort every muscle in his face. He grimaces, he screams, shouts and cries and can throw a temper tantrum worthy of a one year old.  One of his favourite pass times during one of his screaming escapades, is to pick up objects and hurtle them across the room. I have a rather relaxed attitude when it comes to dealing with his tantrums, and if that's how he wants to spend his time when something doesn't quite go his way..Well that is fine. As long as he is safe, then a little bit of shouting wont do him any harm.

What has your toddler seen and done this week?

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