Sunday 18th December 2011 – Eight months old

Busted.

Don't try and smile your way out of it!

Today you reached eight months old little fellow.  We’ve had quite a busy month, with some ups and some downs, and a little scare in between I’ll have you know! I’ve been steadily plodding along with my driving lessons, apparently improving with each one, although I still feel as though I’m just fooling the instructor into thinking I know what I’m doing.  I also had my 25^th birthday, and we spent the day shopping and then had a meal with Donna, Karen, Matt and Liam.  We went to a buffet restaurant and had to queue for ages to get in, and even so, you were really well behaved and had strangers laughing at some of your antics.  Dad also treated me to a day out in London, and we watched the theatre show Blood Brothers, which was really good.  It was nice to go out and enjoy each other’s company, and just have some alone time, as we really haven’t had any nights or days spent together since you came along. We tend to save our babysitting points for special occasions, as I’m still cautious to let anybody else look after you, and we don’t want Nan to feel as though we’re taking liberties with her.

You also attended your first ever birthday party, which was Amelia’s second party.  You being you, were full of beans before the party, and then decided to fall asleep when you arrived. Typical.  After that, however, you got a little bit ill for the week after, so we spent a bit of time indoors trying to nurse you back to health, and trying to not exert too much energy as when you are ill, you definitely do not like to sleep!  You didn’t seem to improve, and started to refuse food, which is alarmingly unlike you, so I took you to the doctor and he diagnosed a cold and told me to keep an eye on you, but there wasn’t much else they could do for me.   So we tried to keep going out over the weekend to a minimum, but you gradually deteriorated so I made a return trip to the doctor on the Monday.  This time he prescribed an inhaler, and we went home to see if there was any improvement.  On Tuesday morning I gave you your breakfast after Dad went to work, and you threw the lot of it back up.  You had also developed a horrible cough, which was really violent, and later on that afternoon, you had a coughing fit which was so bad that you started to choke.  Being on my own, and not yet being qualified to drive, the only option I had was to call an ambulance. If i’m honest, I was petrified. The ambulance carted you off to the paediatric A&E unit in Lewisham Hospital, and they were really good with you.  They performed all manner of tests, even an x-ray, just to be sure that there were no hidden nasties resting on your lungs that they hadn’t picked up on.  In the end, the conclusion was that you did have a very nasty cold and cough, and the hope was that we had seen the worst of it and you were going to improve over the coming days.  Which is exactly what you did, and when you reached the point of consuming a whole bowl of dinner and a yoghurt again, we knew you were back to normal.  Fatty.

Cuddles

Just after this, we also noticed that during the illness, you had also cut your first tooth! It’s little self made its way to the surface of your gum on Thursday the 8^th December 2011. I have to say it is taking it’s sweet time to get up and out how it should be, but then everything about you has been lazy Olly, so why should your teeth feel any different?  You also attended your second birthday party of the month – Maddison’s second party (busy bee, already getting a nice little social life for yourself), and the last ever Redskins Game to be held in Streatham Ice Rink. 

Dozing on Nanna

This was quite a momentous event for your dad and I, but especially your dad, as he has spent almost 13 years going there to train for and play ice hockey, and every friend he now has in his adult life has come from that rink.  It was also the place that inadvertently bought us two together through your aunty Karen, so in effect, if it hadn’t of been, neither would you.  They also had a day of celebrations there which included an ice skating gala, a public skating session and then the last ever Redskins game, which consisted of old and new players alike,  making up two sides and playing for the very last three periods the rink ever saw.  Your dad played for this match, as he was a previous player for the team, and he wore your Uncle Perry’s shirt as Perry couldn’t attend as he was away schmoozing round Florida with your Aunty Chloe.  Alright for some.  It was a brilliant game, and your dad’s team won, and everybody ended the night by coming onto the ice and taking photos.  Three of the players, and our friends, Conor Sheehan, Louis Lockwood and Jack Tarckzicki, also decided to use your mother as a puck and dragged me on my backside from the centre of the ice into one of the nets.  At least I was involved in the last ever goal at Streatham.  Only four of us can now truly say that. 

Bubble playing

Puckering up

We have really settled into our roles now kiddo.  I’ve got a good routine going, and you are so usually well behaved that everything gets done and dusted.  You are brilliant at entertaining yourself, but equally you are so much fun to play with.  When you’re left your own devices, you usually go to town in your jumperoo, sometimes talking away to yourself, and other times watching the Baby Einstein DVDs that have turned out to be a fabulous purchase.  You watch them intently, and when the sketches come on that involve hand puppets, you actually laugh out loud at their antics. 

Raspberries

Every time we take you out and about you make me so proud.  You charm the pants off of people, and they are always telling me how beautiful and well behaved you are, which makes me smile. 

We’ve had a few new things this month.  One is that all by yourself, you have come to the realisation that with a certain movement of the tongue in the mouth you can make a clicking sound.  You seem to be particularly fond of doing this while we are driving, which alarms us for the first minute when we think something is wrong with the car before we realise that you are giving it some welly again.  You have also really begun to show interest in your hands.  If you’re not holding them in front of your face, staring intently while moving them in circular motions, you are instead poking.  These days, anything you touch is first explored with a cursory index finger prod, rub and then wobble, and if it satisfactorily meets your expectations, you may go for a whole hand grab.  You also initiate quite a few finger wars, and believe me, it is taking quite a bit of strength not to pin your arse!  The other finger fun that you seem to have mastered is this bizarre index finger point towards your mouth while staring into the middle distance, perhaps trying to look as though you are pondering at the world.  The finger does not go into your mouth, and mostly doesn’t even go onto your mouth, but usually it is found hanging out around the mouth, to the side of the mouth.  You are very strange my son.

Bundles of fun

We have some other new firsts for this month as well.  After extensive instruction, involving my hands and then yours, you have now mastered the art of clapping.  You even get a nice little noise out of every one you do now, and you understand the word clap when someone says it to you.  Aunty Donna reckons that I sound like I’m slaying ‘Pleb’ when I say it however.  Don’t listen to her.  She is stupid.  Your second word also appears to be ‘bub’. I love the way that you say it, because where you are lacking somewhat in the dental side of things, you look like an old man when you do say it.  Your lips all pucker up and you look like you’re impersonating a puffer fish. 

Sleeping has seen a massive improvement this month as well, primarily because you moved to your own room! If I had of had my way, you would still be with us in our room now, but your dad needs to be able to put his foot down with me once in a year, and I let him use his chance for this year then.  So off you went into your own room, and you couldn’t have cared less – you slept right the way through without a peep! The only person who stirred all night was me, so you made me look like a right twat Olly! Admittedly, even now I have the baby monitor on the bedside table next to me on full volume, with the camera on, and short of sleeping on top of the thing, there’s not much else I can do.

Beautiful boy

In the way of movement, you are still taking your sweet time.  You are definitely sitting up for a lot longer, and you are beginning to stop throwing yourself backwards, although I have been caught out on occasion, and you did end up with a nice clout to the back of your head earlier on this month when you did it as Aunty Donna was showing me a photo she had taken of you.  With regards to crawling, you still couldn’t care less. It’s almost as though you know us minions will bring forth any such thing that you require so you seem to have adopted the stance of ‘why have a dog and bark yourself?’.  Although you have added ‘if the dogs aren’t barking, scream as loudly as possible and throw a hissy fit until they give in’.

Matching with dad

With regards to eating, you are still scoffing anything that has been put in front of you.  You have now devoured all sorts of things like salmon, beetroot, and celeriac, and you have developed a real taste for spinach.  Anything that contains it seems to disappear before we can properly cool it down.

You’re turning into such a fantastic little boy, Olly, and I am just constantly proud to be your mum.  You’re funny, affectionate and loving, and you’re only eight months old.  I think you’re going to be one hell of a dude.

Love Mum xxx

Friday 18th November 2011 - Seven Months Old

Today you turned seven months old.
We had a visit from your two youngest uncles and your oldest aunt this month.  Tom, Harvey and Paige came to stay, and boy was it a shock for both you and I. You definitely weren't prepared for how much noise two young boys make, and you ended up in tears on a few occasions. And I was certainly not prepared for the amount of mess that they can make! They trashed the front room, and almost flooded the bathroom by simply having a shower! But I suppose I should get used to it because you're probably going to be exactly the same. It did make me certain that one of you is just enough for now too!

We also paid a visit to Milton Keynes this month, and Grandad Mark and Uncle Mark were both up there too, so you got to spend time with that whole side of the family. Uncle Jack absolutely adores you, and is so proud of everything you do, so it's really touching to see him interact with you.

We also visited a few indoor play areas, and although we haven't found one that's particularly suitable for your age just yet, I think you're going to love them when you're older.

We also had a brand new addition added to your future gang of pals, in the form of Mr Lucas Lei Blunt! After a very tough labour, Aunt Dawn gave birth to him on the 6th November 2011, and we went to visit him six days later. He was absolutely tiny, and I just can't believe looking at you now, that you were ever that small, yet Dawny assures me you were. Because of how hefty you are now, holding him actually made me anxious, and it felt as though there wasn't anything in my arms. Funny how you forget things as little as six months afterwards, and looking at him shows how remarkably you've developed too.

I have also given in to incessant nagging and taken up driving lessons this month. Constant badgering from the girls and your father means that I'm going to throw myself into it as much as possible.  So far I have had two lessons, and apparently my instructor says I'm quite good at it. Between you and me, I feel like I'm winging it.  We'll see how it goes.

We have also encountered your second injury of your lifetime, and guess who was to blame again...

You are almost grown out of your electronic swinging chair, so I decided to buy you a miniature bean bag chair for you to sit in.  Obviously, at your size now, we have to help you stay seated in it, but when you grow you'll be able to sit in it unsupported.  On your very first occasion of sitting in it, your dad was stupidly left in charge of you. Being too interested in the TV, your father left you to your own devices, and you fell forward head first on to the floor.  I jumped up and started going ballistic, only for him to remark that he had hit your head off the doorframe when you were weeks old, and the impact had been harder than that! I have a feeling that your father is going to receive some serious injury over the coming years, as a result of him being a little too careless with you for my liking.

Finally, the last big event of this month is me completing your nursery.  It took a good long while, and some serious effort, but it is preety amazing, even if I say so myself.  And I will also point out to you that your father did absolutely nothing to hepl as he is a lazy old fart.  True story.. I'll include a few photos so you can see all of my efforts yourself:

Although you may end up having the same bedroom when you're sixteen, because I'll be buggered if I'm doing all that again.

This month has made me feel more in tune with you, as you are becoming more clear with your actions and intentions.  However, at the same time, I feel that you are becoming more frustrated, as there are things that you want to do, but aren't quite ready to.  You are bored of your toys, and the general things that we do on a day to day basis, but you are too lazy to make the moves to be physically ready to do new things.  You are sitting up like a pro now, but you still throw yourself back when you realise, which makes it a hazard to leave you up without support.  You're also very frustrated at rolling onto your front with no further action, but you still won't put yourself into a position to move. Lazy boy!

This month has also seen an improvement in the way of you doing the thing that you don't do that we don't discuss when you do it in case we jinx it (sleeping, shh).  Over the last week of the month we have had five nights out of seven when you did it, and we couldn't be any happier!  We're hoping that this might be the start of good times, but we never know with you.  You like to give us a little teaser every so often, and then whip any dream we have away, so I won't hold my breath just yet!

You've become a bag of noise this month, and we have some real fun interactions with you now.  There is some real babbling, where you are really telling us something, and this will occasionally be interspersed with 'dada' at every other babble.  As much as we all try to encourage to say something, anything else, you ignore us like we're a bunch of invalids, so I can't see any change coming just yet.  The other less cute new noise is displayed when you have the smallest hump with anything. It's a growl.  It literally sounds like a badger on the defensive, and you won't shut up until we give in to whatever it is that you want.  The growl has got to go Olly, or you are going to rack up the grounded days from now onwards!

You've also developed quite a sweet little evening routine with your father.  You'll both have a bath together, and splash around like a pair of kids, and once you're both dressed, you settle down on the sofa and be happily entertained by The Simpsons.  There's not a programme that captures your interest as much, which works out quite well for your father, as it means he gets to watch it.  We all know who's the boss of the remote control otherwise.

With regards to food, we moved onto the next stage of your weaning this month, with no hiccups whatsoever.  We've now introduced things such as pasta and rusks, fish such as cod, haddock and plaice, and meats such as chicken, beef and lamb.  You're still wolfing down everything, which is fantastic, so kindly keep it up!

Love Mum xxx

Tuesday 18th October 2011 - Six Months Old

Well son, we made it.  Six months.  Half a year.  And both you and I are in one piece, with no visible scars. We've done good.

This past month seems to have flown by, and there seems to have been some quite funny events.  You've also given us hope for some things, and then cruelly dashed these hopes at the first opportunity.  Therefore you are grounded.  For sure.

Things that have taken place this month: We've had some more visits from the scatty girls who are my best friends and your adopted Aunties.  They truly are a special bunch, especially Donna, and it's crazy how much they adore you.

We said au revoir to Uncle Perry and Aunty Chloe for three months, as they travel around the USA. Perry was particularly sad to leave you, and within two days of them going they'd bought you an offical Redskins jersey, and within a week he had messaged me saying he was homesick.  Let it not be said that he has a sensitive side! I think your dad is already missing him too, which makes them a right pair of losers.

It's been a relatively quiet month for events, which is nice to come across, as me and your dad have a social life which is hectic to say in the least.  This means that I've been able to make a start on what will be your bedroom from now on.  It's going to be a jungle theme, which I plan to make completely over the top, and my imagination has probably already ran away with me far too much.  I think your dad thinks I'm a veritable Van Gogh based on the plans I've presented to him, so he may be in for a disappointment!

With regards to family, Aunt Dawn is nearing the end of her pregnancy, and she most definitely hasn't had a smooth ride of it, so the next time I write, your future best friend may be with us!

This month has seen a big change in how I feel. I think you've got to an age where I feel I have full confidence with you, and this means that I now want to get out and explore with you. I think you've reached a point also, in that being cooped up in the house is boring you, so the grand plan is to head out to as many baby groups as possible and make friends.

You are turning into such a happy and affectionate baby, and it really shows.  Most of our games during the day involve me kissing you, and I'm certain I do it hundreds of times a day. As a result you do love a kiss, and you've taken to actually pulling my face in towards you and going to town! You kiss with your mouth gaping open, and sometimes your tongue gives it some welly too. So you've very nearly tongued your mother down on quite a few occasions. Bad times when you read this in the future. You also love to just randomly throw your head towards my chest for a cuddle, no matter how far away from it your head may be. 

We have also had the pleasure of two major firsts for you this month. One of these has become a regular, and incredibly annoying habit, and the other was a fleeting occurence that we pray we'll see more of in the near future.

After much debate, betting and hoping, you have said your first word. Me and your father have been battling it out, in order to try and ensure that it was a momentous moment for one of us, and it would appear your bloody father was victorious.  Admittedly, he has put the groundwork in, as even when I was pregnant he would repeat 'dada' to my belly for ages.  But I still had hope that you would see sense and know where your bread was buttered.  But no, you've disappointed me for the first time in your life already and have continued to do so. Every five minutes it's 'dada' this and 'dada' that. I can assure you if your next word is 'nana' I am off.

The other thing occurred on the 26th September 2011, and lasted for approximately nine hours. We have yet to see it repeated, and I would pay serious money to have it happen, say, every day. You only went and slept through the night. We were that stunned in the morning, that we never even wanted to say the words that explained what you had done. Obviously, we got mega excited, and even entertained the thought that maybe we had turned a corner, but alas it wasn't to be. Since then there hasn't been an occasion, and you've even gone so far as to increase the amount of times you wake up by up to four occasions.  Dude, give us a frigging break.

I'm absolutely loving everything about you Olly (apart from the lasck of sleep).  You really are an absolutely beautiful, charming and happy baby, and I am always so proud whenever anyone (which really is everyone) comments on how beautiful and happy you are.  Even perfect strangers will stop us to tell us how beautiful and cheerful you are, and that, combined with you, makes my day everyday.  You really are my sunshine kiddo.

Love Mum xxx

Sunday 18th September 2011 - Five Months Old

Another month down, and we're nearly at the halfway point of your first year!

This month has seen quite a few events and new firsts for you, so exciting times for all.  You attended your first ever night of greyhound racing, and of course you were oblivious to it all.  But it was in honour of the Streatham Redskins, so the usual hockey lot were there and you were cooed over for the entire night.

We also had your first attendance to a hockey game.  The Redskins played a charity match, and we took you along, and to be honest you were almost killed by a stray puck.  It missed you by inches while I was sitting feeding you, and your father has actually kept the puck.  Great souvenir of a wonderful memory. Ahem.

You had another round of immunisations, which was definitely the worst so far, as it involved three injections in your legs. Those that decided that it would be okay to treat a baby of your size like a pin cushion are frankly cruel, because you wouldn't catch your chicken of a mother turning up to have three injections in one day, so why should you? Obviously your nan took you in again, and I waited outside, but you really didn't cope well at all with them.  Your chubby little leg was tender to the touch, and you howled if we happened to catch it.  You slept really poorly that night, but that was about the worst of it, as you were back to your cheery self the next day.

We allso had your first ever sleepover, which was at Nan's. I had the girls over for a night in, and your dad went out with the boys, so you stayed overnight. It was touch and go as to whether I, not you, was going to make it through the night, but I did.  I was really anxious, whereas apparently you couldn't have cared less and was right as rain.  No extreme attachment or separation anxiety there then, at least on your side.  You've stayed over a further two times now, all with no problems, and yet you've also apparently developed a habit over there which me and your dad are none too pleased about, but more on that later...

On the 29th August, we set off on our first ever family holiday to Cornwall.  Driving down there took us just over five hours, but we pulled a crafty one and left while you were sleeping so you were out cold for a good three hours before you woke and needed feeding and changing.  We arrived at around 11am, and we weren't allowed access into our chalet until 4pm, but you were quite irritable after a while, so I used shall we say my persuasive voice, which I've no doubt you are aware of by noe, and we were let in early.  Grandad Mark, Aunt Chloe, and Uncle Mark, who were also on holidat in Cornwall at the time, but at another resort, came down to say hi, and then Nanny Jean, Grandad Ron, and cousins Becky and Vicky arrived, as they were coming along too but had got the train down.

It was a nice week, but the resort had provided you with the most pathetic looking cot ever, and bearing in mind the beast of a bed you have at home, you weren't very happy about the trade off. But I think all of the attention you had from everyone over the week made up for it.  We took you swimming for the first time too, and of course I was panicking from start to finish while you were as cool as a cucumber chilling in your inflatable ring.

When we got back from holiday we also stepped up the weaning, and you're now on three square meals a day plus your bottles. So far there's been nothing that you won't eat, which is impressive, as you've been given some real nasties that even your dad has turned his nose up at, like avocado.

This month that has just gone past has definitely been my most favourite so far.  Your personality is changing and developing so, much and you definitely make your opinions known about things.  We have so much fun together, from when you first wake up and I put you into bed with me, and you babbly away to me and try to chew my face.  Then when you do hilarious things like bounce away in your jumperoo even while sleeping.  I think I'm becoming more relaxed about you, especially when it comes to letting other people do things for you, and this has helped, because in making myself do everything I am putting myself under a lot of unneccessary pressure.  People actually want to do things for you, so I'm not palming you off by letting them.

New things that you've started doing vary widely.  You are on the cusp of sitting up by yourself. You have taken to licking anything that even remotely passes your mouth, from fingers, to clothes to paper.  We are collecting some video evidence for future embarrassment.  You've gone through quite a growth spurt, which means that it's beginningto get uncomfortable for you to sleep in your rocking chair when taking a nap.  This will inevitably ruin our lives, because it's the only effective way of getting you to sleep, so we have no idea how we''re going to achieve this after.

You're also definitely more aware of your surroundings, and you show this by going for my hair or the cats, whenever they are within reach.  You've begun to watch them as they move around the room, and grab for them if they are close enough. I pity the poor things once you're mobile.

Another example of your newfound curiosity was the feel up of Aunty Claire you had on her recent visit.  You noticed the two large ones on her chest, and wasn't afraid to get stuck in with getting to know them, which I think your dad was quite jealous of.

There's still a few things that we haven't managed to iron out yet, and they generally tend to fall under the category of BEDTIME. You're STILL not sleeping through the night, and to add to that, you sleep flat on your face, which your nappy can't handle, so every morning you are waking up saturated! To make matters worse, your grandmother claims that on the occasions that you've stayed at her house, you've done neither of these things. Personally, I think she's just not hearing your moans over Grandad's snoring.  Either way, if that carries on, you're moving in with her and will be welcome back when you're eighteen.

You're really getting to grips with moving.  Rolling over is a full qualification, and lifting your head to have a nose is becoming common. Due to your jumperoo, you've got some good strength in your legs, and when laying on your front, you get them into a very good crawling position.  The only problem you have is instead of using your arms, you are right now using your head.  This gives everyone a great view of your backside, but it's not going to get you very far son.

You're becoming more interactive too. You babble away to anyone who will listen, and if there isn't anyone, then an inanimate object will suffice.  You're also beginning to show responses such as excitement and shyness. And you definitely recognise your bottles, even from across the room.

It's been a great mnonth, and I think we're at the beginning of a big spurt of change for you.  You're on the cusp of doing so many things that are only going to make our days more fun, and make the sleep we get (you know, that thing you're supposed to do at night time) all the more important.  Great fun to come chunkybum!

Love Mum xxx

Thursday 18th August 2011 - Four Months Old

So we have now reached four months, a third of a year old. This past month saw you have another round of immunisations right at the beginning, and trying to man up, I decided to come in with you and Nan when they were being done. What a mistake that was. It was truly awful, just as bad as everything that happened in the hospital, and you were so upset. Then your leg started to bleed from where you had been injected, which sent me a bit scatty. Needless to say next week, when you need to have THREE injections, I shall be loitering outside and Nan is back to being bad guy on her own again.

We also had your first boy's night in, which luckily was relatively uneventful. Us girls arranged a night out in Beckenham, so your dad decided to have a quiet night in with Uncle Perry, but by the time I left there were six hockey players here and Perry had attempted to change a nappy while proclaiming that he was going to get sick. Definitely worried. But I came home and you were in one piece, and sober and not dirty, so it seemed to be a success!

There was also something that occured across London which further made us realise how much we want to move to Canada. A young man, who to all accounts and purposes was a thug, was shot dead by police officers. People from his area walked to their police station in protest at his death, but the event ended up transforming into a riot. Days later, riots took place throughout London, with ferocity that hadn't been seen in decades. People argued that they were a reaction to this man's death; others argued that it was a reaction from repressed young people in the middle of a recession. I disagree with both of these arguments. This was a jump-on-the-bandwagon action, and thousands of people, from kids to teens to adultsin respectable jobs rioted and looted and caused millions of pounds worth of damage across London. For three days and nights, people went on the rampage and it occurred very close to home, so it was a scary time. For me, it just became a final straw, as it made me think about what it might be like here in fifteen years time. It's not somewhere I want to raise you, that is for sure.

The past month has by far been the best one so far. I feel like I know you like the back of my hand now, and it makes it so much easier to take care of you. I love being with you during the day, just us rolling around on your playmat or you trying to stick your finger up my nose while I'm trying to feed you.

There has been a very big development this month, and that is the inroduction of solids. I'm making everything myself at the moment, and so far we've had the introduction of swede, sweet potato, carrot, parsnip, potato, butternut squash, avocado, apple, pear, papaya and banana. You've not been fussy with any of it so far, but my god can you demolish a banana. I actually can't get it from the bowl to your mouth quick enough for your liking and you make sure to let me know that you are displeased. I have a feeling that this is the beginning of a loving relationship between you and food, you fatty!

Other new things involve you rolling over, which you are now a dab hand at. Unfortunately, you still haven't mastered rolling from your front to your back, which means I am panicking at night because you seem to prefer sleeping right on your side or on your front. Not cool!

Some of the good developments this month involve just how playful you've become. You can have me in stitches with your screams which seem to be your way of saying you are happy. You play with my face when I lie over you and have a good old explore of my mouth, which isn't so much fun if your nails need cutting.

Sleeping is still pretty much the same, as in you're still not letting us have any. We did hope you would have cut us some slack by now, but no such luck. I think when that time comes we are going to think it's Christmas.
You are definitely on your way to sitting up on your own. You are forever pulling yourself upright using our hands, and we have just invested in a little something that we think will help in getting you going in all things movement related. It hasn't arrived yet, so expect some more on these goodies next month. I should probably be grateful that you aren't up and about just yet, because I have a feeling you are going to be unstoppable once you get going.

Love Mum xxx

Monday 18th July 2011 - Three months old

So we are now three months old. It's supposed to also be your first Summer, but the English weather means that you have had a couple of summery days, that's the best we can offer!

Things that have occured over the last month - We had our first family day trip. We went to Donnington Valley Golf Club and Health Spa for the day to meet up with Uncle Perry and Aunty Chloe, and another of Dad's hockey mates, Will Sandersona and his girlfrien Sarah. In true Uncle Perry style, he gave us the wrong postcode of the resort, so instead we directed to a place called Grumpy Gits Gallery. Which I definitely was by the time we got there. We had a nice day in the end.

You also had your first set of immunisations, which was horrible. I knew I wouldn't be able to go through with taking you, so I made Nanny Jean play bad cop instead. You sobbed your little heart out, and I felt awful about it.

We also had some of those summery days I was taling about, and on one of them temperatures hit 33C. You didn't take it very well and it made me realise any exotic holidays over the next few years have definitely gone out of the window!

I also had to bite the bullet and leave you with somebody else for the whole day for the first time. Before you were born, a group of us bought tickets to the Wireless Music Festival, and at that time I never imagined it would be that difficult to let someone else look after you, but I have found it hard, and so far you had only been away from me for a few hours at most, and only with your dad or Nanny Jean. So before we left, I left the numbers of everyone going with us, in case Nan couldn't catch us on ours, and every hint and tip I could think of for you. Needless to day you were fine, which is more than could be said for your dad. He got so drunk that he disappeared from the festival for three hours, wandered round Central London for five hours, drew Euros out of a cashpoint and ended up home before any of us. I sincerely hope you're not a lightweight like your dad, otherwise I'm doubtful you'll be maintaining a steady relationship for too long!

Aunty Dawny also found out that she is having a baby boy, which we were both over the moon about. It means you'll have a little mate very similar in age, and Dawny is loving getting all of the clothes that you are growing out of!

We also had the Lambeth Country Show at Brockwell Park, which was your debut for most of the hockey fans. It was absolutely belting it down from morning to mid-afternoon, but then it brightened up nicely and you were passed from pillar to post and did your usual flirting with Chloe. Needless to say you loved it. It was also the first of many occasions when you and your dad did the whole matching outfit skit, courtesy of mum and some nifty internet shopping. Here's a pic of your dashing looks:

I've been very happy over the past month. You've turned into such a smiley baby and no matter how much whinging you might have done, you flash me this coy smile, and all is forgiven. I have been very tired, but I suppose that what happens when there's not been a single night in three months that hasn't been interrupted by your sweet self.

There's a few new things you have mastered in the last month. You are fully in control of your head now, which means you can sit up with support. We've bought you a chair that you sit in to help you in this, and you're not terribly keen on it, but if we prop you up on the sofa, you'll sit there watching the TV for a good long while. You're grabbing and holding things with your whole hand now, and your favourite toy seems to be a fabric tree that rustles when you squeeze it. That, and your fingers are in your mouth more than your dummy now. Talking has become one of your string points, and shouting at people is also a source of relief for you now. You definitely know what you're saying, it's just a shame we don't.

You've also outgrown your Moses basket. The fidgeting you are now capable of made me worried that you were going to topple it over, so I had Dad move your cot into our room and you've been sleeping in there for just over a week. You look tiny again in it, because it's a cot bed, which means you'll probably fit in it until you are eighteen if you take after Dad in the height stakes. We've also got you into a new routine, which you are following really well, until it's the night time feed at around seven, which you then go to bed after. You are NOT happy about going to bed, and really fight us, but I'm not giving in sucker!

You're still not sleeping through the night, but I'm debating starting to wean you within the next month, so we might see some difference with this. You're in no rush to move in certain respects, such as rolling over, but if you're kept still for very long you get very bored, so we're always having to entertain you. Which is okay right now, as you can just about still be lifted, but if you want entertainment in the near future, you'd better get going chunky!

I also had you weighed exactly on the day you turned three months, and you were 14 pounds 1 ounce, which means you have nicely put on weight and are growing steadily. Good lad.

Love Mum xxx

Saturday 18th June 2011 - Two Months Old

Today you reached two months old, and things have only gotten better.

Some events have occured during this time, of which you might like to hear about. Me and your dad celebrated our first anniversay, which really proves we've pressed fast forward with things! Your dad made me a very sweet card, which I've kept so that you can see it. Your Uncle Perry also proposed to his lovely girlfriend Chloe, so that's something in the future I've no doubt you will be dressed up and paraded around for. There's talk of kilts, poor you. We also took you for your first ever photoshoot, which cost a small fortune, but was totally worth it. You looked absolutely beautiful and I am in love with the photos. Your dad also had his end of season party for his hockey team, where his coach Carey gave you your first ever hockey shirt. I pity you, Olly, if you don't like ice hockey, because frankly my love, you don't have a choice!

I've felt a big improvement in how I feel, and I think you have had a lot to do with that. You've been crying a lot less, which in turn has meant that this time has been a lot less stressful. I've also got to know you a lot better, so it's easier to know what's bothering you. You are smiling a lot more, and you've picked up a few new habits, although not all are good! In the last couple of days you've found your tongue, and this has begun to make a real appearance. You're also making many more noises, and you love all of the attention you can get. You're also incredibly curious, which is fantastic, but this has also led to you wanting to be held facing outwards with us wandering around so you can be nosey. My arms have hurt for about three weeks straight because, let's face it, that cute bum is kind of chunky! You can also kick up a fuss until we sit you down with loud music playing, which is not so awesome for our neighbours!

You're still not sleeping through the night, but some nights you do only have one feed. Others you can be up God knows how many times, and deprive us of sleep like you wouldn't believe. It has the worst effect on your father, who when he is tired cannot actually physically formulate words! It's quite funny, and I sometimes wonder who the actual baby is.

Speaking of feeds, you eat a whole lot. You tend to have about six ounces every feed, and most people tell me that at your age that's quite a lot! You're also a tantrum throwing so-and-so when you're made to wait for it for some reason, and you cry like you're utterly devastated too.

You're coming along quite nicely with your movements too. Your head control has improved, and you figdet all over the place. You like to lie on playmats and kick about and play with toys. You've got a very strong grip on you, and it's managed to find my hair a couple of times now, which is not cool.

We had you weighed last week, and you were 12 pounds 3 1/2 ounces, which translates as chunky, but also bloody gorgeous.

Love Mum xxx

Wednesday 18th May 2011 - One Month Old

Today you became one month old. And what a month it has been!

Saturday April 16th 2011. Me and your dad had a BBQ, and over 30 people ended up turning up! It helps that we both have so many friends, and also that Uncle Perry has a very big mouth, so you can imagine the state that the house might have been in. The BBQ finally ended at 2am, and
me & Dad climbed into bed absolutely exhausted. There had been much joking throughout the day, as you were due on Sunday 17th April, and some people joked that they expected a call later on to tell them that I had gone into labour. I was adamant that wouldn’t be the case, as I felt completely fine and hadn’t displayed any signs at all.

                              Photo taken on the exact day of the BBQ.  Big as a frigging house.

After going to bed I noticed that I had a mean bit of backache, but put it down to the fact that I had been really busy all day. Three hours later, I was still hurting and to top it off I seemed to have lost control of my bladder as well. But it soon became clear that it wasn’t my bladder that was leaking – it was amniotic fluid.
We called the labour ward, who told us not to rush, but to head up just to be checked over, so we gathered the many bags for you, and were on our way. They confirmed I was in labour,
and sent us home as the contractions, that had by now started, were too few and
far between. Luckily, we have good pals in the form of Donna, Karen, Liam, Casimitr and Camilla, who had pulled together and tidied the leftovers of the BBQ while we were gone. Priorities being priorities, we also stopped off in the hospital café for a cheeky fry up before returning home. It’s different, sitting there chowing down on bacon in between contractions. Just be glad you’re a boy.

The rest of Sunday daytime is pretty much a blur, as the contractions intensified and Claire and Dawn joined us for the evening. I do, however, remember the Pizza and Mcdonalds that I insisted on eating before heading to the hospital yet again.

Eleven at night, and we were back in the hospital. Seventeen hours of labour, and the midwives told me that I wasn’t dilated at all. I can’t tell you I wasn’t exactly your friend at that moment in time. But then things got going. Between 12 and 4am, I dilated to 8 cms, and then from 4 to 8am I dilated to 9cm. I can’t describe to you how awful the pain was. It’s the most intense pain that starts in your lower back and soon sweeps throughout your entire abdomen. Don’t let me be hearing any of these jokes that you boys find funny, like how a kick in the balls hurts more. You try being kicked in the balls every three minutes for 33 and a half hours and see how you feel then! Excruciating though it is, as soon as a contraction subsides, you don’t hurt anymore. What’s harder is the tiredness, as by 8 am, I had been in labour for 26 hours. It was at this point that I had the urge to push, but because I was only at 9cm, I was told not to. This is hard, as your body literally starts to do as it bloody well likes! The only way I can think to describe it is that
it is similar to when you have the really, really bad case of diarrhoea (I’m guessing by now you know what that feels like, especially if Dad has had to cook for you). Your stomach muscles just contract no matter how much you try to stop them, even when you’ve pooed your spleen up.
That’s exactly what happened (without the spleen). So because of this, the midwives administered an epidural so that I wouldn’t feel the urge anymore to prevent me from the
tearing the old ladygarden (I’m sure you wanted to hear that).

The next seven hours dragged by, with everyone waiting for me to progress through that last final centimetre. I should probably point out at this stage that the people at the hospital had increased from Dawn, Donna and Claire to your Nan Jean, Cousins Becky and Vicky, Grandad Mark, Uncles Mark and Jack. It was then that the doctors decided that it was unlikely I was going to progress any further, and my contractions were stopping, so I needed an emergency caesarean. Even after 33 hours of labour, the thought of having a caesarean terrified me.
I had ideas of what a caesarean involved, and the thought of a horrid scar and not being able to do anything for two weeks meant that the very suggestion of it made me flip into the crazy, screaming banshee beast that I am sure by now you have experienced for something or another. But the doctors explained that you were too big to fit through that last centimetre so I had no option. Therefore it is your fault. Forever. Now bring me chocolate boy.

The operation began at 15:33, and you were born at 15:36, weighing 8 pounds 10 ounces.  You see that? Cut me open like a fish they did, just because of your big head. I hope you appreciate the lengths I went to, to get you here, and afterwards, in the way of finding hats that fitted. Those three minutes, and the 30 minutes after stitching me back together were by far the worst moments of my life so far. It
was completely traumatising, and for weeks afterwards I couldn’t talk about it without crying. Feeling absolutely everything that is going on is utterly horrific, and I will never forget or get
over it. Hence why you do not have any biological siblings. I know I can write that with confidence now and have you read this in twenty years and it will still be the same. All of these silly people who tell me ‘you’ll forget it all’ and ‘you can’t just have one’… YOU FRIGGIN WATCH ME. Just because they were all stupid, and ridiculously forgetful, does not mean that I will be.
No siree, the rest of your brothers and sisters, if ever there are any, will either be bastard lovechildren of your fathers with another woman, or kids we’ve picked up along the way because they’ve needed us. None shall spring forth from these here loins. You got that?! Rant over.

Because I couldn’t, your dad had to be the one who firstly held, dressed and fed you. Afterwards, everybody who had been waiting, some for 13 odd hours, came in to meet you, and there were lots of smiles and tears all round.

The next five days were torturous, as soon after you were born you were diagnosed with jaundice, and we had to remain in hospital. Hospital really isn’t a home from home, and it was very difficult to cope, with you being ill and me being fairly useless as I was also trying to recover. If it wasn’t for your dad, who literally threw himself into every aspect and tried to make it as easy as possible for me, I very well could have lost it. Just don’t tell him that ay? We were eventually allowed home on Friday 22nd April, and it couldn’t have come a day sooner.
The first week that you were home, as you can imagine, was full of visitors. The past month itself has also honestly been the hardest of my life. As much as I thought I was prepared and had experience in it all because of how many aunts and uncles you have, I had no clue just how demanding your own baby could be. It didn’t help that you had colic throughout this time, which means that there have been hours where you have done nothing but scream, and I have
not had a clue what to do with you. I’ve also been fiercely clingy with you, to the point where I am still insisting that you sleep in bed with me and I won’t allow anybody else to have you
unsupervised other than your dad. I know that it’s irrational, as people like your grandparents have offered to take care of you to ease the pressure, but I see it as you are my responsibility,
and especially while you are fractious, its my job to be with you, at least until you are better.
It has been hard, and I have been tired and drained, and sometimes sad and frustrated, but then there are the moments when you have fallen asleep on my chest, or held my hand while I’ve
been feeding you. It has to be said that I love it when you are crying, and you won’t settle down until whoever has tried has given you to me. The fact that you first smiled yesterday, for me,
makes it more than worth it.

You officially became a member of society today as well: Oliver Ron Mark Wittenberg. We did it in style, with you wearing a babygrow saying ‘I may be a, Wittenberg but I will always be a Sweeney’. You’re only a month old, but already you’re a full time legend. It may have been hard, but it makes me excited for the times ahead.

Love Mum xxx