It's mind bending how quickly Starfish is developing his personality and how
fast he's growing... I'm pretty certain he's been here before and he knows more
about this parenting lark than we do, he's just testing us!
At around 8 weeks old he was sitting in front of us in his bouncer seat
while I read a book and his Dad flicked through the paper. Starfish wasn't
having any of not being the centre of attention and literally erupted in sobs
complete with dropped lip, the works. We both instantly looked up from our
reading and jumped to attention. Starfish on seeing that he had a captive
audience again and all was right with the world, immediately pulled in his lip
again and beamed with delight, not one tear in sight! A PHD in emotional
manipulation at just 2 months old.
This "fake cry" still continues today; usually after the last feed
of the day when we put him in his cot but he decides it's not quite time for
last orders just yet. He lies on his tummy in the cot (usually across it rather
than the correct way up, peeping through the bars) He buries his head in the mattress
and 'sobs' for a few minutes. Here's the interesting bit though, every few
seconds he manages to magically compose himself long enough to peep out and see
if the display is having the desired effect on his Dad and I. It's honestly
Oscar worthy! Then when I relent and say "Ok one more feed" He smiles
and sometimes even laughs, right in my face! It's like he knows those big blue
eyes are irresistible and is thinking "I'm going to play you like a banjo
Momma."
The first time he saw me walk alongside his Dad while he carried him in his
sling; he smiled and gave me a knowing look like he was saying "Check you
out Momma, walking, that's new!"
Then just a few weeks ago, I was exhausted after a particularly sleep
deprived few nights thanks to teething (Starfish is teething, not me). I was in
the bathroom washing up before bed while Dad got starfish changed. Knowing how
exhausted I was and that this leaves me prone to stumbling or worse, hubby
kindly said "When you're ready let me know and I'll come and help
you" When I was ready, Starfish decided he was not being left in the cot
under any circumstances; this meant hubby had to once again be Super dad and
hold Starfish in one arm while helping me walk back to the bedroom at the same
time. To do this we have a nifty little Team Starfish dance which involves
hubby walking backwards while I walk towards him and Starfish. This time
however was slightly different in that it must have been the first time that
Starfish really looked at what was happening. When he saw me move towards him
with my wobbly gait and more specifically the way my head was moving, he
decided I was funnier than any cartoon or tickles and literally doubled over
laughing! We thought at first it was a co incidence; surely he's not laughing
at me walking? So I stopped for a few seconds then started moving again. Right
on cue, as soon as I took another step he erupted in a giggling fit again! and
so he continued until we'd reached the bed.
I asked myself, should I be a bit upset or offended by the fact that he's
laughing at me? Ha! Of course not. I hope he's always as easy as that to cheer
up and make laugh. Now if he's in a mood or if we just want to hear his
beautiful giggle we just shake our heads from side to side and say "wobbly
head" and he obliges with a chuckle that makes our heart's soar.
Pretty much everything happens on Starfish's terms. We are using the
principles of Baby Led Weaning to introduce Starfish to solid food. Well, that
was our intention at least, Starfish has other ideas. The ethos of BLW is that
baby feeds themselves but bringing the food to their own mouth and exploring
the feel, texture and taste for themselves. Starfish is quite happy to eat
absolutely anything, from fruit to curry or bolognese but his version is
"why would I waste my energy holding food up to my mouth myself when I can
summon the parents to do it for me? Yes I'll nibble the strawberry, banana or
pasta happily but if you think I'm holding it, you better think again."
Interestingly he applies the same logic to his teething rings and sippy cup but
he'll happily grab the TV remote and press buttons, especially if there's
something on I'd really like to watch.
We're slowly coming to terms with the fact that we are now lodgers in our
house and Starfish has firmly established himself as the boss, which is
fine.... but I really need to find a way to deter him from gnawing on the wheel
of my wheelchair!
Answers on a postcard please.......
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