Baby Days

I remember when I was pregnant, people were always telling me at every chance they got to 'enjoy the baby days, you will blink and that tiny baby of your's will be on the move. He will be into everything and those very first weeks will roll by, if you blink they will be gone. You will be left with the memory of the baby days, and a fully fledged toddler boy'.

I knew this was all true, I took their advice and took hundreds and thousands of photos and recorded hours of video footage. Although knowing that these people were all telling me the facts and that one day I would of course have a baby boy growing up, I had no idea that time would hit fast forward as soon as Leo made his appearance into the world, and those weeks have just played on fast forward ever since, and I cannot hit rewind.

I look back at photos and videos of those very early days with my boo, and I find it hard to in vision Leo being that small and that fragile. He is such a little bruiser now. Tall and full of puppy fat. My boy.

Back in June a year sounded like an eternity. A year off work and a year to spend one on one quality time with Leo, who is almost 9 months old now. A year is actually no time at all. I am now 3 months off Leo's first birthday and I will be the proud Mummy of a 12 month old, not a baby...as he will be hanging up his babygrow and graduating, becoming my right hand toddler.

The word toddler doesn't sound right. Leo is always referred to as 'Baby Leo' but 'Toddler Leo' does not have the same ring to it. Does it? Nor does this thought seem real to me, having a toddler that is. When I was pregnant I obviously realised that I would have a toddler at some point in the near future...But I never realised that it would happen so soon. My main focus was on giving birth to my baby boy. Leo's baby day's are well and truly numbered, and I find it difficult to comprehend.

I sit and watch Leo learning new things everyday and I can see just how far he has come in 8 and a bit months and I am so proud. He has mastered the control of his neck, learnt to roll, perfected the crawl, popped two teeth up, amazed us all with his Hollywood smile and his jelly belly laugh. I could not ask for a happier baby. It is not just those skills that he has developed though, he has also developed recognition of familiar people, learnt to play with his toys and learnt some social skills. There is a way to go yet in learning to share and playing nicely with other children but out of those baby days, Leo has become his own little person. As each day goes by, I can see more of his unique personality shining through.

As the weeks keep rolling forward, I know I am going to have my hands full, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

The baby days may be nearing an end, but I know that Leo and I have many adventures awaiting us.

My new found toddler will be making an appearance in 2012, and I will be welcoming him with open arms and looking forward to seeing his temperament develop, and his character jump out.

The baby days have been amazing, but I look forward to seeing what the future holds for us, and I enjoy Leo at every developmental stage. It is safe to say though, I do miss those early days. Where I could just hold Leo in my arms and watch him sleep so soundly.

I have a feeling I will long for every stage that passes us by. I am just glad I can re-live them all here on my Blog, which of course is what I started Blogging for in the first place.

Watch this space. I am preparing for Trouble. I am getting ready for the toddler of all toddlers.

Leo The Toddler - Arriving Summer 2012

Laura & Leo

xx

I Spy, With My Little Eye

I am taking in the world around me, and interacting with what I see. You see the same sights as I do, but in a completely different way. You're grown up mind doesn't hold that little sparkle like mine does anymore, you see what is in front of you. I see whatever my imagination can dream up, and that is the magic of seeing the world through a child's eyes. I love to play 'I Spy'...When I play, I see a wealth of adventure just waiting for me.


I invite you on a journey of re-discovering your child's sight by looking at the world through my eyes. Come along and take in some of my favourite sights, while playing my game of 'I Spy'.


What...You have forgotten how to play? This is just dreadful behaviour. I insist that you rack your minds and find your inner child.


Now follow me! **Crawls away at full speed**


I Spy with my little eye...Something beginning with 'S' - They are mounds bulging up out of the earth's crust. They go higher and higher until I can't see to the top any more. It's like a beanstalk that I am sure you can climb. I in vision another world at the top, full of un-discovered land. Wild animals and treasures that one day, I will find. I spy the Stairs.

I Spy with my little eye...Something beginning with ''R' - It seems we have a new pet, this pet doesn't move like the Cat does when I pet it. If I push it...It rocks back and forth. I don't understand why she is so still...Even when I pull it's tail. Nothing. It just makes me more determined to get a reaction. Mummy sits me on this strange creature and we go backwards and forwards. What a great creation. Maybe we can climb the stairs together and discover the top! I spy the Rocker.

I Spy with my little eye...Something beginning with 'W' - I can see a jungle by looking through it. This strange prevention that keeps me from breaking out, and crawling through the long blades of grass. If I could just wish away this shield, I could be out in the wild and running free. I often sit and just stare longingly out of it, hoping that it will disappear. I spy the Window.



I Spy with my little eye...Something beginning with 'B' - This object holds all sorts of interesting items, they seem to just fall off when I get too close. They stand so neatly and all of them have some sort of picture on it. Sometimes Mummy shows me some...But it all holds gobildy goop that is just beyond me. I spy the Bookshelf.


I Spy with my little eye...Something beginning with 'S' - I can stand up these days. I can pull myself high up onto my little feet using this helpful object, there is so much more in my reach on this level. Lots of buttons that seem to make magic happen. You press a button up there...and it makes things suddenly turn on. Or off....I know I am making this happen, maybe it is me that holds this power? Maybe I am magically gifted....I Spy the Stand for the Television.

I Spy with my little eye...Something beginning with 'L' - It's creepy and it's crawly. It's sitting in my hand. It's Red and dotty. I Spy a Ladybird.


Have you ever wondered what your child takes in? What they see in the world around them? We as adults look but don't appreciate the imagination that runs wild in our little ones minds. It is all a mystery to them, the entire world is new, Magic. They look but take in a different experience to us. We see an object as what it was made to do. A child on the other hand can make that object anything they want it to be.

The innocence of a child's mind is just beautiful. I will keep Leo imagining and making magic for as long as possible. He will always believe in himself and see the magic in the everyday world around him.

We will always look at the world, through Leo's eyes. His child's eyes.

Laura & Leo xx

Wordless Wednesday - Then & Now

Leo Meets The Jungle

Just last month, I told you all about Leo's fascination with his view from the lounge window, and how he would love to be outside playing with his Aunt & Uncle. With the grass always being too wet for him to crawl on, I grabbed a chance for him on Sunday when the Sun was shining high in the sky and the grass seemed dry enough for Leo to give it his first test run - crawling style.


I took out a sheet in the hope we could both sit on it comfortably and also avoid any grass stains...Of course I should have known that this was inevitable and it was just moments after sitting down, that Leo crawled off into the grass. At full Leo speed.


He found all sorts on his travels of the garden, a football, slide, trike and line pegs, ...You name it. Leo located it. He swiftly inspected his new surroundings, the new playground and jungle that he could not wait to explore.


Grandad was out taking full advantage of the Sunny weather. As usual the slightest bit of sun and he has his shirt off and his hot pants on (except that they don't look hot!) I warn you now...In advance, just in-case he crops up in any photos this summer! The problem is when the Speedo's come out...I assure you, I will refrain from shooting any photos and make sure to cover Leo's eyes while shutting my own!


Grandad was enjoying guiding Leo down the slide and pushing him around on the trike, Leo was happily lapping up all the attention and obviously loving being outside, playing in the fresh air and sunshine.

Leo loved every moment. It was a taster of what we can expect this Summer, we will be spending a lot of our sunny days out in the garden or down the local park by the river. It is going to be so different this year having a baby on the move, compared to last year where we were hiding away from the heat with our newborn baby boy. I can see us paddling in the pool with Leo and making the most of every moment in the sun, with BBQ's, picnics, days out to the beach and just showing Leo all that is around him to enjoy. I know that this Summer...Is going to be the best yet.

Leo will be getting Christened in the next couple of months. I have held off, waiting for the sunshine to make an appearance. We are lucky enough to have a very generously sized garden, and my plan is to hire the biggest bouncy castle I can find (It can be done, I have done it!) and holding a big reception party at home for my gorgeous little Lion, with close friend's and family. It is sure to be one big shin ding!'


The thought is to plan it all for the bank holiday in May. The planning will be starting very soon, so we are now in the market for the perfect Christening outfit.


Luke and I turned 21 in August 2010, and we decided to hold a joint 21st in the comfort of the garden. It was decked out with fairy lights in the trees, Bamboo garden candles to light the way. We put up a Gazeebo to house all the drinks, and a paddling pool to keep the cans cool (A great idea, I know!). I located the biggest and beastiest bouncy castle. It filled the garden to the brim! All our guests thought it was amazing, and everyone enjoyed the lovely weather and the free drinks. When it got dark we let off Chinese Lanterns to mark our Birthday's and partied on into the night! I am very much looking forward to planning Leo's Christening, it really will be one to remember!


I hope you all enjoyed the lovely weather, and here's hoping that there is plenty more to come! Below are some of my 21st photos!

Laura xx

One Strong Little Boy Named Leo...

Leo is an active, happy and content baby. He loves to socialise and explore his surroundings, he pushes his limits to learn new skills and knows that by being cheeky, he can and will get away with murder. By flashing a toothy grin, Leo has the power to change the world, and I his Mummy succumb each and every time.

The new skills he is picking up everyday are aiding his mobility, and his curiosity of the world around him is driving him to do new things more and more often.

One of Leo's new found skills is the ability to pull himself up. A skill that puts all kinds of worry through me. I am terrified he will fall and hurt his head, especially as his favourite object to pull himself up on, is the television stand. The stand is all glass and riffled with lovely sharp edges....just inviting Leo to miss a footing or let go briefly that will result in a little tumble, with the potential to do some damage.

Leo is yet to pull himself up against the sofa (The safer option, and also my preferred choice) but I know he is just going to keep going forward and push all his boundaries to the limit. He demonstrates this each and everyday. He would much rather play with the flower ornaments and Granny's vases full of fairy lights over the obvious toy selection!

Leo began to start pulling himself up independently just over a week ago on Saturday 3rd March 2012. I was so proud. One of my top 10 Mummy moments.

There is not much time to sit around with my feet up, these days as soon as I do sit down, I am jumping back up again to remove Leo from the parts of the room that are off limits to a crawling baby, who can now pull himself to standing! I am hoping that in the next few months Leo will take his first steps.

Don't get me wrong, I am not wishing any time away. I just want to be the one to witness his first steps, and if he takes them in July....I will be back at work and kicking myself for missing such a crucial moment in my Son's life. Leo is just coming up to 9 months old and I myself took those all important first steps at 10 months old. Let's hope he takes after his Mummy and not his Daddy, who according to his Mum...was a little lazy in the walking department!


As you know I have been practising a few basic signs with Leo for the last few weeks. I am certain that today....Leo signed his very first sign. I am 99% sure he signed milk to me! It wasn't in any context but the hand movement was there all the same. I am going to keep persevering with him, in the hope that he will get into the habit of signing, and understanding the words in context with the sign it's self.

When did your little ones take their first steps? and if you have ever signed with your children, how long did it take to reach an understanding, so that they can sign their needs to you?

Laura xx

Expecting Stories

Everyone who has had a baby, has a story. A story of discovery and of the exciting times ahead. I am inviting you to tell me all about your story. The story of finding out you were pregnant.


Where were you when you found out? What is your expecting story?


At the bottom of this post is a form for you to link up with your own story! I look forward to reading all about your exciting moments in time. When you discovered you were pregnant. If you have already written a post like this in the past, just link it up!


My story began in November 2010. I was just coming up to two weeks late and quite honestly the thought of being pregnant had not even crossed my mind. I had just been prescribed an emergency pack of 'The Pill' after running out of my perscription. I should have been more on top of my doctors appointments but with working, I have always been hard to pin down.

Being late was not un-common for me, I seem to run late for everything in life, so it was not a sign of anything out of the ordinary. I am not one of those people who tick like a clock, and as with everything in my life, I just go with whatever is thrown at me.

On the 31st October 2010, I went out for Halloween dressed as a little red devil, with the tutu skirt to match my cheeky attire. I enjoyed my night and a couple of drinks as I usually would. After this one Saturday night...I seemed to go into a sleep like state, nothing would wake me up from this tired lathargic feeling. Nothing at all.

I have always liked an afternoon nap if I can squeeze one into the day's agenda, but this was something I have never felt before. It was a constant tiredness. In a matter of days, my chest began to become very tender. It was only then something in my head went *DING, DING, DING*.

Could I be pregnant? No.... of course not...

I carried on my days at work as normal, the day's creeping by... But there was still no period.

When I hit 14 days late, I thought I best test... just to elimante any chances. I happened to be meeting my Brother's Girlfriend for a drink that night and had an old test in my bag, I confided in her how I was feeling and we decided to test in the pub out of all places!

The only thing was...I had lost the instructions that told me if I was or I wasn't.

Not a regular taker of pregnancy tests, as you will probably realise as you read on...I needed those instructions for a definitive result, an answer to my lingering question. So I did the test...and we then drove from the pub to the late night Boots Pharmacy! Just to read the back of the test package. After all that effort, the test was negative.

The next day I confided in my best friend. She told me that I was probably just late but went out and got me a Clearblue test to do anyway. I arrived and imedietly took the test, and pretty much instantly....There were two lines appearing on this little stick, that had the power to change my life forever.

I came out and declared that it was another negative. I showed her the test exclaiming that the second line was just where the pee had run a little. She laughed. Alot. Then in another breath she told me that I was pregnant.

I laughed, in shock and total denial. I did the other two tests before I left...and they too showed two lines...That apparently wasn't the pee running at all. She had also got me a Clearblue Digital test, which seemed a bit more convincing and confirmed that I was 3+ weeks Pregnant.

Then it hit me. Oh My God. How am I going to tell Luke?


It was no secret that Luke would not be happy at this prospect, he had life aspirations that didn't involve a baby. I am not going to sugar coat it all and say that Luke's response was easy, because it wasn't. Last year I had to be strong for both of us, I had to be the reasurring voice that kept us both above the water, and I also had to contend with all my new emotions, along with 101 new hormones.


I felt that I should have been on the recieving end of the reassuring voice, and not the one having to talk him down. I just wanted him to want the life we had both created from day one, just knowing that in the end, everything would work out. Somehow I knew everything would be fine, but Luke didn't seem quite as convinced.

I kept hoping that after the first scan things would change and we could talk about how excited we were. I don't re-call ever hearing Luke tell me he was excited at becoming a Daddy.

For a while I didn't feel I could voice my excitement to Luke and that really hurt. I have never written down how hard some of those pregnancy days were. I am just thankful everyday, that I followed my heart and made the right decision.

I think there is nothing quite as scary as the unknown, and combine that with the un-expected, you then have one hell of a combination to contend with.

My expecting story was not the ideal scenario and happy smiley faces, but somewhere inside I knew that everything would be alright. I knew that Luke would be a great Dad,  and I knew as soon as Leo entered the world that Luke would be bessotted.


I can't change my expecting story, but I will always let Leo know just how loved and wanted he has always been. I am very creative and when L:eo asks the question, I will tell him the most amazing story of our journey together from bean to baby.

Laura xx

A Mother's Instinct...

A Mother's Instinct is to protect her offspring from whatever life may throw their way. It is keeping them safe, happy and content. So what would you do if someone made your child feel Ugly? Fat? and that their purpose in life was un-important?

What if your child became victim to a group of malicious bullies?

I am writing this post as a family friend is currently battling this exact issue. Her 10 year old son is in First School, and supposed to be having the time of his little life. This is not the case...He is sobbing himself to sleep at night and quite honestly being pushed further and further into the lurks of depression. Who has the right to make another human being feel this way? No-one.

School's are supposed to be responsive to all bullying issues, but any attempts to speak to the head teacher and reach a resolution have been in vain. It has taken weeks for an appointment to be set up, and even now nothing has been done. In fact...This poor child has now hit rock bottom. He has endured enough taunts and finally snapped at one of the children, pushing him up against the wall. Of course...Guess who got the blame. The child being bullied, the child who has had enough.

This fills me with such anger, I know that I would jump through hoops to stop Leo ever feeling emotions like this. I would not be held accountable for my actions if I ever have to intervene with a bully, that was making my Son's life a living hell. I would expect 200% commitment from the school in the resolution to the problem and I would make sure I had their full attention. Their lives would not be worth living if they failed, and god help them if Luke had to get involved.

If I ever thought Leo was inflicting such feelings on anyone I would be so angry, I would be immensely disappointed and the punishment would be according. In my minds eye, he will be one of those people offering his hand out to pick someone up, who has fallen down on their luck. I am sure that if he is anything like his Daddy, this will most certainly be the case.

The School in question are now under the belief that the bullies are actually the victims. If any punishment is handed out, it is actually to the child who can't sleep for worry, and when he can shut his tired eyes, those tears still stream down his little cheeks. No Mother wants to hear the words 'I wish I was dead' but that is how he feels, and that is what he said.

So where are all these new campaigns to help a child suffering? The ones that always make the news and show results? stopping the bullies in their tracks? And why are they not being implemented here? Do they even exist???

This all needs to stop!

No child should think so little of themselves. Things need to change, and a smile needs to be put back on that 10 year old's face.

What would you do if your child was in a situation like this? If he is pulled from the School and re-located to another, he moves to Middle School in September and will just meet up with them all again there, where I am sure things will pick up where they left off.

Things need to be handled here and now.

Do you have any experiences of bullying and a resolution?

Laura xx