Christmas 2015

Christmas hasn't quite gone according to plan this year. Or rather the plan has had to change. 

Original Plan - Christmas Eve carol service at Harbour Church. Chips, Camembert and cranberry jelly for supper. Christmas Day stocking presents from Father Christmas opened in bed, followed by Morning Service then Nana & Gaga over for lunch followed by tree presents. 

Gastroenteritis has put pay to all that. 

We have had a quite mainly TV day with Mama mainly in bed ill, no visit from N&G, and a decent amount of grazing on Cheerios. Christmas has been rescheduled for Sunday. 

Still, it's just a day. Christmas Day is really only celebrated in four ways - the Christmas Story or message , presents, friends and family, & food. And of those what is or are the most important? The story or message, and family. Those have been present today so all is good. xx Dada xx

Cheers

We have started to go to Harbour Church recently. Elijah has settled in very quickly. He wanders off around the room during worship. He followed the person with he loaf during communion. He is very charismatic with his singing - he sits on Dada's shoulders and waves his arms in the air whilst singing along. 

Today however was a new high! During communion (which is very family centred and relaxed), Elijah had the little cup of juice and did 'cheers' with ours as he drank it!! 

Oh yeah!!

So it's December and there are lots of Christmas lights up now. Every time Elijah catches sight of some twinkly lights, he shouts 'oh yeah' and points at them. I wanted to remember this as next year I'm sure he will be just as excited but will probably be talking non stop. I love the innocence and purity of his enthusiasm. No other words needed, just oh yeah!

Nap time

I am sat in the dim light of your room, with you asleep on my lap. You barely fit anymore, you're getting so big. You had woken from your nap and were upset and tired still, so I got onto your bed to cuddle you. And here I am 45 minutes later. I have back ache and a dead arm but couldn't be happier. It won't be long before you don't want to cuddle up for a sleep. I know these moments are precious and are rushing by so quickly. I was supposed to be doing housework but I can't think of anywhere else I would rather be than holding my boy and being able to watch you sleep. 

A sentence!

So Elijah can now string 3 words together. He has comedic timing and delivers it with perfect intonation "oh my dada". If only he could eye-roll he would!!

More words

So to add to the list of words, Elijah now says 'over there'. He calls the postman 'bi bi / bee bee' - I have no idea why but he then demands I sing the Postman Pat theme song!! Car is 'brrrrmm b'. His scooter trike is 'deetdah'. And bowls (specifically the black melamine measuring cups) are called 'duh buh'. Who knows where he has got these from!!!

Most cute of all is when he is asked a question he says a perfect 'uhm...ahh...' when considering his response (which is always either yes / ya or no!)

The last time...

There have been, and will be lots more, last times. Some will be sad times, some will be times to celebrate. A few nights ago was the last time I breastfed Elijah. On the day Elijah was born I had no idea that we would still be nursing almost 22 months later. Over recent months Elijah has slowly self weaned, no longer waking to feed over night or wanting it in the day. So when we were down to once a day at bedtime and it was no longer helping him relax, I decided it was time to stop. 

And so we have. We now have a story and cuddles at bedtime instead and that is lovely. 

August 2015 bits

A quick upload of recent things....

Helping Mama clean the bathroom!

Selfie to send to Dada

Stories on the stairs

On the 'phone' in your sleeping bag

Evening walk to the Warren

More painting

Career multitasking 

Evening on the Harbour Arm

Bus boy

Smile!

So, this is the face that you made today when Dada asked you to smile...and checked that was what you were doing!!!! 

Painting play date!

We went to visit Carly and Isla today, along with Kat and George. Elijah did some painting for the first time. Although lots of paint ended up on himself, some did make it onto the paper. 

A little more talking

Elijah has now added 'purple' to his list of words. So it's now...digger, no, yeah, mama, dada, there and purple ☺️

A couple of days ago he put 2 words together for the first time. When I asked him to do something, he replied (quite definitely) 'no mama'! 

Big boy bed

For my boy,

I don't think you ever slept a whole night in your own bed. Until last week. 

From the day you were born you have slept in my arms, on mine or Dada's chest or in bed next to me. When you were very small you slept part of the night in a hammock which you loved but when you got too big for it and we tried your cot, you really didn't like it! It slowly became clear that you just wanted to be near us. And we all started sleeping a bit better for it. Dada started sleeping in random places - on the bedroom floor or in the lounge - just so this very tiny person could take up over half of a kingsize bed next to me. 

This worked for us. I loved having you next to me. To hear your soft breathing, the touch of you next to me and to be there every time when your hand reached out for me. We were all happy with the sleeping arrangements and slowly but surely you settled into waking just once a night...which I have to say was bliss after 16 months of very broken sleep. 

Then we moved house. You have a bedroom with your big boy bed. From the day we moved in I started putting you down for your naps there and it was fine. So we started talking to you about maybe sleeping at night in your bed. Just over a week ago we took the leap. I slept on your bedroom floor for a week to see that you were alright...and you were. You have started sleeping all night in your own bed. My big boy. 

For me I am a tangle of emotions though. I am so proud of you. I love watching you grow and learn and gain confidence and independence. In equal measure I want to cling to you being my baby. But you're not a baby anymore. You are the most amazing, special, funny little boy. We love you so much. And now I'm crying...again. 

I wanted to remember the last time we shared our sleep. I think part of me knew the morning that we woke, that it was the last and that you were ready. I was lying on my side. You woke up and said 'mama' in your sweet little voice, rolled towards my back and put your arms around me to cuddle me. I love you my boy. 

Talking

Posts have been a bit thin on the ground as we have just moved but I had to write down about Elijah's talking. About 2 weeks ago he said his word 'digger'. He knew what it was and spontaneously says it if we see one. He has been saying 'Dada' for a while too. However today he has started using 'Mama' properly and in increasing volume if I don't respond immediately! Then finally, on the way home in the van earlier he said his own name 'ijah' 😊 He is growing so fast at the moment. It is amazing to see. 

Fashion

I let Elijah choose his own clothes. There is no need for any other words...

First time baking

This afternoon (21/05) Elijah and I baked for the first time. It was a bit messier than usual and I got a couple of ingredients muddled, but the finished result was quite tasty - carrot & sultana scones :)

Mixing the dry ingredients 

Before they went into the oven 

The little chef, with obligatory flour on face!

Naps

Naps seem to have been settled for a while now. Elijah likes his nap after lunch - even if he sometimes puts up an objection! Sometimes he will sleep for an hour and sometimes he sleeps for 2, then I have to go and gently wake him. I love the few minutes when I wake him. I just lie there watching him for a while, trying to take in all the tiny details to treasure as memories forever. I can't get a photo of this because it's still in half light and a flash would be too startling. So I open the blind a little and kiss him and stroke his cheek until he slowly starts to stir...

Big yawn

I could stare at the back of his head for hours. He has such beautiful, soft, fine blonde hair. 

18 months!

Elijah is 18 months old today 😊 We had a lovely morning on the beach in Folkestone. Elijah had his first proper splashy paddle and loved it. He then played in the fountains at the harbour and got soaked. 

Soft play

Elijah had his first experience of soft play this week. We met Claire and Ted at Play Islands in Canterbury. I loved watching Elijah exploring and expanding his boundaries - trying new things, climbing, sliding and spinning. A definite winner - we will be back :)

Bike helmet :)

Today Elijah wanted to wear his bike helmet...all day, everywhere! If I took it off a major meltdown occurred! So, we had breakfast ad dinner with it on, went to sainsburys and the swings with it on and in the car. He makes me laugh and smile in ways I could never have imagined. 

Keys!

Lesson for today was not to let Elijah wander off with the keys! I had given them to him, as I do most days, having come in either the food shopping and thought no more of it until I came to lock the door this evening. No keys to be found!

I had to think like Elijah and hunt at his level. Having searched though his toys, ball pool and books I moved to the kitchen. I found them on the bottom shelf of the fridge...of course!! I remembered that I had put away the milk and Elijah had positioned himself to begin his regular rearranging of the contents (see previous post 6/3/15!!!). He must have abandoned the keys in favour of this new activity 😊 Lets hope chilling keys for 6 hours doesn't cause any damage to the battery, I'll find out in the morning!

Elijah says Papa

There is something magical when you see your little boy learn something and the pride that he has knowing he has nailed it. 

Yesterday evening just before bath Jo asked Elijah if he could say 'Papa'

Normally this would be followed by pointing at me (Papa) and grunting. Tonight though he quietly and clearly said 'Papa'. It was soft, gentle but very purposeful. It was amazing and beautiful and a moment I will treasure for all of my days. 

Next we need to work on Mama. :-)

More walks down the farm track

I take Elijah out for a walk down the farm track next to the house every day, as long as it's not raining hard. He is gaining so much confidence and speed in his walking, sometimes not needing to hold my hand at all...that has happened far too quickly for my liking!

Boys, sticks and mud!

A little sit down on the track!

Sophie joined us today :)

Just felt like a little lie down!

All nighter!

It had to be documented...17 months old today and last night was the first night Elijah has slept trough the night!!! Just a shame I didn't do the same. Let's see if it was a one off, although nights have been a lot more settled the last couple of weeks. 

Little bookworm

I love that Elijah loves books :) I have read to him every day since he was just a few days old. When he was much littler he used to 'read' along with me. Now he is 16 months he knows his favourite books and every day, without fail, after breakfast he takes my hand and leads me to the bookcase. We sit down, Elijah in my lap and he chooses the books. 

I took him to the library today- first time out of the buggy - so we spent some time looking at books and reading before we went to the swings. Such a simple way to spend a morning but such a happy one. 

Flubadub

A note for posterity...Elijah did his first bath parp this evening!!!

Bus boy!

Elijah seems to have developed a love for buses! Every single time he sees one he points. He loves his 'wheels in the bus' book and when we sing it he now joins in, singing "bus, bus, bus".

So we thought it was about time he had his first bus ride. A short trip on the park and ride bus in Canterbury, which he seemed to love!

Waiting to leave

Return journey 

"Get the camera out of the way...I'm trying to watch where we are going!!"

Fridge raider

Yesterday Elijah decided that the fridge needed some rearranging!!! Helpful little chap 😄

Always keep your socks on!

Our beautiful boy...playing in just his socks! Probably one of my favourite photos of him. 

Swings

Today we went to the swings with Grandma & Grandpa. I think Grandpa had more fun than you :)

Just checking!

I'm sure Elijah won't thank me for these photos! When wandering around this morning in just his vest, Elijah had to keep checking where his bits were!!!

Papa!

Today is Richard's birthday and today Elijah said Papa for the first time 😊

Walks to see the sheep...

...who were never there!! I have been taking Elijah for walks down the farm track behind our house, where sheep are usually in the field. However every time I manage to get out Eli into shoes and coat, then out of the door, the sheep are nowhere to be seen! It doesn't seem to dampen his enthusiasm for a little walk (or crawl around in the mud!)😊