Novelty Parent

Henry’s father, aka my delightful husband, is spending a lot more time at home with us recently, as he started a new job that is more family friendly and doesn’t mind him choosing his own hours.

He’s home for bathtime 2 nights during the mid-week, and goes in late one morning after spending some time with Henry and I.

When “Dada” wasn’t home so often, he was the novelty parent. The one that could turn up unexpectedly and bring a smile of joy to Henry’s face. “Dada” was a great reason to stop acting like a pork chop and giggle and coo like an angel child. None of this charming behaviour for boring old “Mama” who is always there and can be treated like a piece of plastic furniture.

Now, ”Dada” is being perceived in the same way as “Mama”, ie a parent to take for granted and take all your frustrations out on. Its a new side to Henry that his father hasn’t seen before. It certainly doesn’t worry “Dada”, he is revelling in his extra time with his beloved family, but I will admit that I feel a small sense of satisfaction that “Dada” now sees what hard work a 15 month old boy can sometimes be.

You Give Me Fever

The little man is not well at the moment. Two days ago he seemed to develop a fresh cold, but with a cough that closely resembled the hack his mother and father have had for the last few weeks.
Today his temperature climbed to 40 degrees C and he was very lethargic. He spent most of the day either asleep or curled up on my chest with his eyes closed.
Poor little man.

Bunny

Henry has a comforter called ‘Bunny’. Henry always goes to sleep with Henry whether he is at home, daycare or out and about. He is particularly fond of Bunny’s label. This morning, Henry found one of our 3 Bunnys on the drying line and won’t part with him.

Bunny is made by Snugzeez and I highly recommend them.

Sign with a smile

It was quiet tonight. The lights were dimmed and we silently cuddled in the big chair as Henry drank his bottle before bed. As I stared down at this precious bundle of sweet-smelling baby, he looked up at me, smiled and signed the word ‘bottle’.

Secret Men’s Business

Henry’s favourite thing to do whilst having his nappy changed is to read a book. Especially “My Dad”. Upside down. Perhaps the pictures look better that way.

Baby signing

We are teaching Henry how to use baby signs, a basic system of communication using hand signs. Some are the official AUSLAN signs and some are simplified signs which are easy for babies to use.

Research appears to show that this does not inhibit the development of speech, but actually encourages it, and babies who sign tend to have a wider vocabulary at particular ages than the average child.

We can see that this is probably true, as we ensure that each time we sign to Henry, we say the word, and it is repeated over and over. He actually hears the word more than he otherwise would. And that’s how babies learn to talk; once they have heard words over, and over, and over, again.

Henry’s first sign he returned to us was ‘more’, apparently a big favourite with babies. He first showed us this about a month ago, sitting in his high chair in the middle of dinner. He was thrilled with himself, and we were thrilled in return!

Since then he has added ‘food/hungry’, ‘ball’ and ‘hippo’ to his signing repertoire. And he understands ‘drink’, ‘bottle’ and ‘fish’ although he can’t return them just yet.

It does make life a little easier when he can tell us what he wants, but more than that, the sheer joy of being able to communicate with a baby as young as Henry is the most rewarding aspect.

Last night, as I sang Wiggles sings to Henry in the bath, he signed ‘more’.

And ‘more’ he got.

Hello world!

A blog just for Henry. Where do I start? Perhaps with the little man himself.

14 .5 months old                                

9 kilograms

80cm tall

And a smile the width of a jumbo’s wings.

Henry has just started walking, about 2 weeks ago, and now strides confidently around the house. He’s still getting the grasp of standing without holding on, but is managing to now crouch down to pick up something off the ground, and rise again to standing without falling over. And sometimes he can dance for a few seconds without plopping to the ground.

We took Henry to yum cha on Sunday morning where he proceeded to devour a prawn dumpling, dim sum and part of a steamed pork bun. His favourite, though, was the cubes of jelly. And, of course, the passing parade of food trolleys, other babies and the fish tanks.

In Henry’s world, everything is fascinating.