Harry is Developing a Sense of Humor

Whilst I don't always understand it, Harry is developing a unique sense of humor. The things that tickle him are often a little inexplicable but it is cute to see his personality developing in a such a joyful direction. On the one hand this development is simple - you will tickle Harry and he will giggle and smile. But on the other hand there is more going on in there as he finds things funny. Yesterday we were outside waiting for a friend and her son to join us for a walk and I was pulling old rose buds off our roses bushes. Somehow, my act filled Harry with glee and he would let out high pitched chuckle every time I pulled a bud off and the bush jiggled. He also thinks that feeding the dogs is humorous. He will drop a cheerio off one side of his highchair and as the one dog eats it up he laughs. Then he will go to the other side of his highchair and do the same thing for the other dog and laugh again. (It is good to see that he also has a sense of equanimity :-) ) Dan has started doing laughing "exercises" with Harry. The two of them sit and Dan will laugh and Harry will follow his lead. It is very cute seeing my boys laughing away together. Not only is this sense of a humor an exciting personality development but it is also good to see Harry gaining an appreciation for the funny things in life. I hope that this new "skill" will stand him in good stead through the years.

Harry Stands By Himself!!!! More than Once!!!!

Harry in Washington Square Park
Originally uploaded by brownorama.

I have had a number of other posts planned (about Mother's Day and Harry's developing sense of humor) but recently things have been a little insane. In the meantime, our little boy has made a developmental leap - he stood by himself yesterday. Whilst he has stood before, this is the first time that he did so confidently and more than once. He also lowered himself to the ground from a standing position. He was inordinately pleased with himself as was his mother. It was also really great because my grandfather - Pa - Harry's great-grandfather, was here to witness it. He is back from South Africa to visit and stopped in DC for a few days before heading to Colorado. It was exciting to be able to share this moment with him. Everyone was very proud and pleased with our babe! :-)

Harry Turns 11 Months and Gets His First Real Cold

IMG_3285.JPG
Originally uploaded by brownorama.

One of the unfortunate outcomes of our trip to Colorado was that Dan picked up a really bad cold. He then passed this on to Harry, who is now coughing and spluttering in a very sad and pathetic way. Harry has had a cough before but nothing like this. This time there was no mistaking that he was sick, unhappy and very sad. So on his 11 month birthday we had to take him to the doctor. The doctor assured us that it was nothing more than a bad cold. But even so, there is nothing like watching the symptoms being played out in one's child. First, everything is diminutive. So on the one hand it is the cutest thing you have ever seen and on the other the saddest. Really, enough to break one's heart. Second, all of the things that happen with a cold - coughing, sneezing, runny nose - are uncensored. So the unpleasantness of it all is clearly shown on his face. Really enough to break one's heart. Third, one gets to experience the helplessness of a parent when one's child is sick. There is very little that one can do for a baby when they have a cold beyond giving them an analgesic and keeping the nose and airways moist. The cold just has to play itself out. Watching my baby suffer makes me feel a degree of pain that I didn't think was possible. I can't imagine what it would be like to have a child that has a condition that is more serious. All in all it is enough to breaks my heart. I suspect that this is a theme that will recur over and over again through the years - not just in terms of physical ills but emotional ones too. Standing on the sidelines is a difficult thing to do as a parent but sometimes it can't be helped. You can do what you can to "keep the airways moist" and dull the pain. But ultimately your little one has to go through it. A hard lesson when all you want to do is remove the pain altogether.

Harry's First Trip To Colorado

Our First Morning in Gunnison
Originally uploaded by brownorama.

So we returned from Harry's first trip to Colorado just over a week ago. All told, I think he enjoyed it immensely. He was thoroughly spoiled by the grandparents and loved all of the new sights and people. He obviously loves traveling - except for the sitting in his car seat for long periods of time part - and just soaked up all the newness. It is exciting as a parent to see one's child so stimulated by new things. It inspired me to do my best to inject more of that into his daily life. It is easy to fall back on one's routine, particularly when in search of elusive sleep. But I know that as a mother it is important for both of us to get out of the mundane and experience new things. Fortunately, DC does provide ample opportunity for that right at our door step. I just have to get over some of my hesitations of getting out and about solo with the babe. As far as hurdles go, not a big one and the payoff - the look of excitement on my babe's face - is definitely worth it.

Baby's Latest

Harry and Mummy After Eating. Yay!
Originally uploaded by brownorama.

So Harry has been up to a number of things in recent weeks. He not only used the sign for "milk" the other day, but he also used the sign for "more." A difficult concept and one that his parents are excited he is using. These changes come at a time when Harry is clearly starting to understand more and more with each passing day. He is making his preferences really clear - when I say and sign milk, he grunts excitedly; when I say "up" he grunts excitedly and puts up his arms etc. etc. This has made life a little easier as we break down the barriers in communication.

Harry loves books and will squeal with delight at some of the pages in his favorite ones. When I read to him, of course, I point out the animals and we look at the pages. For some reason, however, I had never asked him to point out any of the animals. Well, I asked him where the duck was in one of his books yesterday and low and behold he pointed right to it. Clearly, I haven't been giving him enough credit. It was a very exciting moment and so cute to see.

He is enthusiastically cruising along furniture and will use any vertical surface as a way of balancing - for example, this morning he used the shower door to walk along the edge of the bathroom. Walking is around the corner. A prospect that fills me with a little bit of trepidation. Not because I don't want him to but with that first step he moves from being an infant to a toddler. My little babe is growing up.