Xander is 13 months old now (!) so I thought that I would compile a list of some of my feelings, experiences and other odds and ends…..
- A is for adoration,amazement and awe.
My overriding emotion this past year has been pure awe that I produced this miraculous little munchkin. Still not quite sure how that happened. Yeah I know how he got in there,and I definitely recall his entrance to the world,but I haven’t yet got over how amazing he is.
- B is for beautiful.
I may be biased but my little boy was the most beautiful baby and is now growing into being a very cute little toddler.
- C is for cuddles.
So many snuggles,hugs and squishes. I’m banking them up for when he’s 13 and doesn’t want any!
- D is for dummies.
We didn’t want to use them,now we have ones in the shape of moustaches and lips. Strangely proud moment when Xander learnt how to put his dodie in his own mouth. Now to teach him to do it at 2am!
- E is for excitement.
I get so excited whenever Xander learns how to do something new. His latest achievement is walking with his push-train.
- F is for fear.
I spent a lot of the first weeks in fear.Was I feeding him enough? Was he sleeping too much /too little? Did his cord look ok? Would I drown him if I bathed him? What did his different cries mean?. These have quietened over the months as me and Xander have got to know each other and I have learnt baby skills.
- G is for gratitude.
Me and Chris waited 4.5 years for Xander. He is a little whirlwind of mischeviousness that enriches every part of our lives.
- H is for hope.
In the early days,hope that there was more to motherhood than crying, pooing and constant boobing. Now hopeful optimism and looking forward to the toddler years!
- I is for innocence.
Childish innocence is beyond adorable. Seeing Xander’s eyes light up when he plays with a new toy or learns something and looks so proud of himself warms my heart.
- J is for jumperoo.
The amazing baby activity centre to entertain your little one. Other notable baby items include the bumbo seat,stacking cups,a fish slice,a water bottle,a pastry brush, a pan and a box lid. And yes I know most of them are not strictly baby toys. My Xander is a funny little onion.
- K is for kids
…and not just my own. I know so many little monsters nowadays and their different little personalities and likes and dislikes is so interesting to watch.
- L is for love.
I am fairly astonished by the amount of love I have for my baby. I didn’t know I had it in me! I always thought that I wasn’t a very maternal person and didn’t know when I was younger if I even wanted to be a mother. I now cant imagine not being one!
- M is for milky boobs.
The first few months were controlled by milky boobs and everything centred around 2-3 hourly feed times. Now,we can be more flexible but Xander still loves his booby milk….long may it continue!
- N is for nappies.
So many nappies! When Xander was first born we changed his bum every time he wanted fed….in those first few weeks that was every hour…we soon cottoned on and started to use less. We now use both disposables and cloth bums and find it works well for us having the combination.
- O is for oblivious.
This one is for the daddies and how they can sometimes be oblivious to things which mammies are not….like sticky fingers, bills that need paying, not having enough wipes, bin being full. Luckily Chris is very supportive and does his fair share in the house and with Xander. There’s still things he doesn’t even seem to see though!
- P is for parenting
You think you know in your head what type of parent you are going to be. You don’t. But its ok. We went with the flow and although its different from what we expected it suits us down to the ground.
- Q is for quality.
I have been very lucky to have 13 months of time which I have been able to devote entirely to my little man, I am very grateful for this special quality time.
- R is for rocking chair.
I got my Ikea rocker second hand when Xander was a couple of months old and it was great. This was before I figured out how to breastfeed lying down and it made all the difference. No more nights sat on a hard uncomfortable chair!
- S is sick.
The first time Xander projectile vomited was a panicky moment. Then it happens a few days later….and you’re over it. Unless its a continual sickness its not a worry.
- T is for toes.(and fingers!)
This little piggy went to market, round and round the garden, tommy thumb. Xander loves little rhymes and loves getting his feet tickled. Plus I just love baby toes!
- U is for umbilical cord.
No one can describe quite how disgusting they get before they fall off. When Xanders finally fell off I was so grossed out by it I didn’t even want to touch it to put it in the bin!
- V is for Victory!
I got this far….he’s still alive…and seems to be doing well. Yeay me and Chris!
- W is for whining.
Xander is one now and we are entering the whining phase. When he wants attention and he’s not getting it Xander can do a good old whine. So we are now going through a phase of ‘no its not all about you Xander….!
- X is for Xander
Goes without saying!
- Y is for yummy.
Weaning is great fun but if you have a baby like Xander who likes to throw food also very very messy! Xander loves food especially cheese and tomatoes. He also loves smearing food all over his face and magicking it so that it reappears 6 hours later behind his ears that had been cleaned.
- Z is for zzzzz….
I’ve had many a sleepless night ( 2.5 hours a night for 4 weeks anyone?!) since Xander was born and foresee many in the future with teething, childhood illnesses, potty training etc. but I’m no longer as daunted by tiredness as I once was. Bring it on!
What were your biggest emotions/thoughts/words of your child’s first year? Comment below!
Mamam 