Our new routine

Dear Matthew

I've been back at work for three weeks now and we both seem to be coping really well. 

Luckily I've been able to pump breast milk at work for you very easily and my supply hasn't dropped at all. In this regard I'm glad we waited till you were 11 months before I returned to work, as I'm not at work stressing that you're hungry/thirsty. You have also become used to taking my milk from a bottle, and don't seem to mind who gives you the bottle!

As I think I've said before, it's great for you to spend time with your grandparents as they offer you new and exciting things to do. I never had a close relationship with any of my grandparents growing up so it makes me so happy to see you so comfortable around them. It really just goes to show that babies are meant to be raised by a village filled with loving adults. You have this village and are thriving because of it, lucky boy!

Sooner or later you will be going to day care for a day or two a week which will also help prepare you for school and give you lots of social interaction with other kids. Whereas before now I was stressed about you going, given how easily you've transitioned to me working I now don't worry too much about it. Hopefully it's still a year off anyway!

As always, I love you my monkey boy. 

Love,

Mum xxx

P.S. Below is a photo of you on your new trike from yesterday (an early birthday present from us to you). I love this photo and captioned it 'Soda the reindeer'.  You refused to let anyone but you hold her lead so our compromise was to tie her lead to your handle bars. You have such a personality already and are fiercely independent. Exactly as I'd hoped you'd be :)

Language explosion

Dear Matthew

In the past couple of weeks your language has really exploded. You can now say nine words: mum, dad, da (for Soda), ball, duck, woof, boo (when we play peekaboo), clap and broom-broom (when you are driving something, be it a toy car, hairbrush or your dummy around on your mat). 

It's so lovely that you are communicating more. I can't wait till we can have a proper conversation. But for now I'm enjoying watching you learn more every day. An average 12 month old can say 1-2 words, so you are doing brilliantly. 

As always, I am ever so proud and love my gorgeous boy. 

Love, 

Mum xxx

My baby can walk

Dear Matthew

On the day you turned 11 months old, you took your first step. 

Luckily, it was at night at home and your dad and I were just sitting down watching tv. You were standing unassisted and then all of a sudden took one little step forward. 

I was so excited I jumped up and picked you up for a great big cuddle! Little did I realise you were probably still in walking mode and may have taken more had I not grabbed you, but oh well! I was just so happy and glad that both your parents saw your first step together. I was due to go back to work the next day, so had it been 12 hours later we both would have missed it. 

A week or so later you took three or four steps at grandma and gramps house, from their coffee table to their couch. Your dad, grandma, gramps and I were all watching :)

We are just so proud of you little boy. Although I'm having a little trouble farewelling your babyhood, I know toddlerhood is going to be a lot of fun. 

You are so wonderful. I love you. 

Love, 

Mum xxx

End of maternity leave

Dear Matthew

Well, today is officially the last day of my maternity leave. Tomorrow I head back to Notre Dame to work. Luckily I will only be working 2.5 days a week currently, and 3 from December onwards. 

It seems as if this year has gone super quick and yet some days drag on for so. damn. long. I can't believe how much has happened and how much I've been able to watch you grow. I am very lucky and so grateful to have been able to spend this time with you. I feel like its helped create an inseparable bond between us. Here's hoping you don't forget me!

So, on Tuesdays Nanna is going to come to the house to look after you. On Wednesdays we are going to take you to gramps house so he can look after you. On Thursdays, initially, we are going to drop you at grandmas golf club so I can work a half day and she'll bring you back to our house for a play in the afternoon. However come December when grandma looks after you for a full day we'll do the same as on Wednesdays and drop you at hers in the morning. I've had plenty of chats with you about these arrangements and so far haven't heard a complaint ;)

I love my work, but I sure love my little boy too. I think I'm going to be a better mum if I'm involved in projects I'm passionate about and I think you're going to be more stimulated and learn more if you have a village of loving caregivers looking after you. I hope it's win win. 

I think we're going to be ok. I know we can do hard things. I also know that there might be a crappy transition period but that if we give ourselves plenty of grace that it may just work out perfectly after a while. Fingers crossed. 

So, the breastmilk is frozen ready for use. The instruction sheet has been written. The house is stocked full of baby snacks, nappies, toys and clean clothes. 

Know that I love you and will miss you. 

We've got this Matty. 

Love,

Mum xxxxxx

This term's activities

Dear Matthew

During our last full term together before I head back to work part time, we have been attending three classes a week (when we're not sick!): gymbakids, sign language and swimming. 

After two terms at gymbaroo I decided to switch over to gymbakids. As you're mobile now, I was finding that you were getting really bored at gymbaroo, plus the indoor playground at gymbakids is amazing compared to that at gymbaroo. I'm really glad we made the switch as you are really enjoying gymbakids, so we're going to continue next term too. 

For the first time we have done sign language classes this term too. I have always had an interest in sign language and was keen for you to learn some baby signs to help us communicate. We both enjoy the lessons however the time that they're run in the mornings and their location usually means you have a meltdown in the car on the way there and then fall asleep on me in the car afterwards (so I'm trapped with a baby on me for two hours while sitting in the car) hasn't made me the biggest fan of the lessons so I don't think we'll continue next term. You can sign 'dog' though!!

We have also kept up your Saturday swimming lessons at Fremantle Aquatic Centre. Your instructor Hayley is really lovely and your swimming is coming along so well. You now are dunked under water and even almost jump/fall into my arms in the water from a sitting position on the edge. I love that you aren't stressed in the water, it makes the lessons a lot of fun! 

I go back to work next week so from now on we'll just be doing gymbakids, swimming and a meet up with the mothers group kids together. And you'll have three days of fun with your grandparents thrown in there too!

Love, 

Mum xxx

Your big boy friends

Dear Matthew

A few weeks ago your friends Thatcher and Oliver (and baby Marley) came to visit. 

The boys are about 12 months and 15 months older than you and you were in your element following them around. 

I always thought you were big until the boys were standing next to you! I think one day you'll catch up by today, you are the little boy of the group :)

They were going to come over again tomorrow but surprise surprise we're sick again so I've cancelled. We'll catch up again soon hopefully. 

Love, 

Mum xxx

My outside boy

Dear Matthew

You, my boy, love being outside. To the point now where you chuck a tantrum when we try to bring you back inside, or start crying when you hear the back door open and can't crawl fast enough to get out there before the person who opened the door has come back in. 

It's adorable but messy. As someone who loves being indoors (where I can easily regulate my temperature, not get my fair skinned burned, and be generally free of creepy crawlers), I'm having difficulty encouraging your love for the outdoors. However, I know it's super important for little boys to play outside and get grubby, so I'm actively trying to improve. Boys learn best from doing, so I'm going to help you do. 

Gramps has already put up his hand to take you outside lots when he starts looking after you all day every Wednesday, so at least you'll have a solid day a week of outdoor play. 

I think we're going to get you a water table or sandpit for Christmas. I mean, Santa will. 

Love,

Mum xxx