An ever changing world!

There is a saying, that "change is the only constant"… and I tend to think this is apt for the last 8 weeks of Hayley’s life, and will continue to be so looking forward into the upcoming months…

Everyday there is something else and some means of new development. No day is the same as the last…. She has started babbling, little moans and noises that are not cries and that are obvious signs of the beginnings of communication in its most basic form. The way she moves is less frantic, and whilst is no means controlled as of yet, is just more developed. Her head strengthens daily, and her tummy time is more rewarding. Her ‘awake’ time is longer. Her eyes are brighter. She focuses better on objects. She listens with more concentration. The light within her definitely brightens and the little person within emerges more bit by bit every day!

Change is not only constant in her development, but in her behavior. I have quickly learned that the word ‘routine’ should rather be replaced by ‘pattern’. Routine tends to imply a consistency.. and I think I can state I believe there is no such thing in the life of a baby. Patterns will cater for the general rule and the exception. Her own demand feed times are generally 4 hourly on the mark with occasional changes in hunger and thirst that must be catered for. She generally sleeps 4 to 5 hours at night.. with the occasional mid-night contented play time where mom gets no sleep for days in a row. Her cries can now be read according to what she is trying to communicate – the hunger cry, the wet cry, the sulky cry, the ‘I am making a statement cry’ and the upset ‘I need to be held and loved’ cry.

A truly wonderful journey! One, where as parents, we get to relive and experience a part of life that we don’t recollect.. and in addition, we get to watch it in total awe and with a love that is deep and rewarding in every way!!