seventh month

another month passes and the HarryMoose continues to grow and change with it. He gets more and more like a little boy every day, and, apart from his size, it's hard to believe he was ever a baby...more like a toad :)

over the last month, my darling boy:-

* continues to eat his way through everything in his path - there doesn't seem to be much that he doesn't like but favourites are bread, porridge, marmite, nabanas, stem ginger cake (what's that I've read about babies not liking strong flavours??), vegetable lasagne, roast parsnips and toady toes. He tried chicken yesterday, much to mummy's dismay (especially this morning)

* has now made feeding him so very difficult as the mooseling likes to 'help' his mother. This consists of grabbing the spoon in either hand, resulting in the contents going absolutely EVERYWHERE (particularly if mummy tries to stop one hand from getting it) and also biffing the bottle out of the way whilst turning over to look at anything and anyone. Incredibly frustrating and time consuming

* looks like he is playing air guitar when he is eating solids as he is so impatient to get the next mouthful

* goes from the sublime to the ridiculous when it comes to snoozing, either sleeping through the night or keeping mummy awake for several hours at a time. This she does NOT enjoy one jot, even though she remembers it's part of motherhood. Hmmm...

* has learned that his cot is a toad-haven and therefore naps in there during the day, normally following much flailing, bashing of windchimes and the throwing of Mr Bear and Woolly Moose around

* now enjoys books far more than he ever used to. Mummy now reads to him every night before he goes to sleep (currently reading the entire Winnie the Pooh collection, created long before all the naffness of commercialism - sorry, one of mummy's pet hates) and the Harrington can often be found playing with cloth books and sitting on mummy's knee looking at board books and turning the pages all by himself

* has now completely moved on to the next stage when it comes to toys. When one could once be satisfied with cuddly, rattly things, now the demands are for more complicated things such as stacking cups, wooden blocks, toad washboard (genius Christmas present), labels, the ball of many tunes (and how many times a day does mummy find herself singing all the fabulous songs?), cuddly toys controlled by mummy so that they bounce around and kiss him on the nose and wooden spoons (courtesy of Granny who informed me that her esteemed grandson had refused to give it back when they were out shopping. A likely story.). The toad likes nothing better than to be sitting up (!), surrounded by toys so that he can play with different ones and have one in each hand if he so desires. T'is fabulous to watch

* loves to drop things repeatedly to hear the noise they make on the woooden floors. Not mummy's favourite as she is constantly picking things up

* can now travel ridiculously huge distances by doing his infamous pelvic thrust whilst laying on his back. That, combined with his skill of being able to rotate like the hands of a clock, means that he can no longer safely be left alone as he changes positions in the blink of an eye

* has the strength of an ox, I kid you not. It's now becoming almost impossible at times to hold him. His determination knows no bounds and if he wants something, he will try his very best to get it. And on the occasions that he is not successful in his plight, he will remember what he wants and goes for it later in the day when mummy's guard is down

* is in the process of learning about tantrums and how to undertake them, especially when he wants something that is not entirely appropriate

* has learned that smiles make everything better and that they can be used to his advantage. After a particularly difficult time with him, he will throw several grins in mummy's direction and then it all changes. Minx

* loves playing peek-a-boo with the muslin and chuckles fantastically when doing so. Mummy's favourite

* has remembered that cuddles with mummy are Very Good Things, especially first thing in the morning and when one is snoozy or ill

* now loves having "Twinkle, Twinkle" and "John Jacob Jingelheimer Smith" sung to him, preferring songs with perfect fifths in. Who would have thought it

* now co-owns two pussy-kittens with mummy. Although they are not at all sure of him at the moment (what with all the flailing and squawking), he rather loves them and can often be found grinning at them

* vocalises at every available opportunity. His new favourite thing is saying "aaaaaahhh" Very Loudly Indeed and for as long as possible, taking his time before a breath is drawn. And there's also copying mummy with sounds of blowing raspberries. "Mama" can still sometimes be heard but not sure if it counts as he doesn't seem to realise what he's said. Mummy is also seriously thinking of starting the baby sign language thing

* has developed extreme magpie-like qualities and goes after as many shiny things as possible, especially mummy and granddad's watch after piddlepanting prior to his bath

* continues to grow like a weed but weigh more like a heffalump so it is even harder to carry him around for more than a few seconds at a time. It's a good job mummy has bought the wonderful Kari-me to carry him around in when out, as well as the toad-mobile which he can now sit up in the highest position on and gawp at everyone and everything

* hates the tegglepegs and what they do to him. Are they ever going to come out??? They should have done by now, especially after all the chomping that goes on. Horrible things

* continues to grow his hair muchly and it is hair that seems to change colour on a daily basis

* encourages exploitation and the releasing of the toady toes. His very favourite thing. Such a Sock removal Operative with a cheeky grin at that

there are so many more little things that happen from day to day and what really fascinates me is watching him start to do something sporadically one day and have it completely sussed only a couple of days later. It really makes me wonder what exactly goes on in his brain and how the thought processes work. No wonder the toad needs his snoozes (but tends to refuse nonetheless).

and, of course, he continues to get more and more gorgeous by the day with mummy thinking that she may become a pageant mom to exploit his stunningness whilst also wondering how the hell she managed to create such a beautiful creature who still looks very much like her and every other member of his family on both sides.

I loves my boy. Quite a lot, actually :)