So, can someone tell me where that time went then please? I cannot believe that our gorgeous boy was six months old on 26th December. Suddenly he doesn’t seem like such a little baby anymore and is really starting to develop a character – as well as putting us (especially his mummy) to the test! Below are just some of the experiences the last month or so have brought us and some of the characteristics that Rex is starting to show.

The Stick Song from Hey Duggee

I can distinctly remember having CBeebies on one morning in December to distract Rex as we were trying to leave the house. He was fussing in his car seat as we were trying to get ready to go out and, I suddenly realised he had gone quiet. He was transfixed by The Stick Song! We have been playing it to him on and off ever since and it has become a bit of a ‘thing’ in this house. One morning I played the song to Rex on my phone and, when I turned it off, he even started crying!

Return to Yeovil Hospital

On the 11th December Rex, Ross and I went to the 50th Anniversary celebration for the Yeovil Women’s Hospital and it’s wonderful maternity unit. We took a couple of thank you cards which we had been meaning to send since Rex was born! They celebrated with cake and there were a number of familiar faces there. I always feel like it is a home from home when I visit that place. We saw Helen, the fertility nurse, who helped me on so many occasions.

Today we celebrated the 50th birthday of Yeovil Hospital Maternity Unit. This place was not just supportive of me in the final days of my pregnancy but they took care of me after two miscarriages and numerous scans to check me during our fertility treatment – all of this over the course of nearly 4 years. All the staff are warm, friendly and caring and go above and beyond their call of duty. It will always be a special place to me. Thank you for all you do #YDHMaternity50

A post shared by Victoria Welton (@vicwelton) on Dec 11, 2017 at 8:45am PST

I spoke to the head midwife with tears in my eyes when I told her how special they were to me! We also recorded the final video for our involvement in the Little Tikes #GettheGrowHow campaign.

Sitting Up

I can’t tell you exactly when Rex started sitting up. It happened all of a sudden a couple of weeks before Christmas. His balance was pretty good from the outset.  Thankfully I still have the crescent shaped maternity pillow which is a great support – and a preventative from any banged heads in case Rex falls down on either side.

Eating

Eating hasn’t been as straightforward as I found it with Grace, I have to be honest. Rex’s motor skills are taking their time and I can see him getting so frustrated and cross when he can’t pick something up! We moved on to purees mainly and there are a couple of finger foods involved. The New Year has been a whole different ballgame – but I will cover that in my next update.

A Medical Scare

The first day of Grace’s Christmas holidays started far earlier than we anticipated. Poor Rex had had a cough and cold since Monday of that week but, by Thursday, he was suffering. Ross got up with him early that morning as he usually did to let me have a little more sleep. 10 minutes later he was back upstairs, really worried about Rex and his breathing. I rang NHS Direct and they were concerned enough to say that they wanted to send out an ambulance. We started to prepare for a visit to hospital at around 7.45am – and woke poor Grace!

By the time the paramedics got here, Rex was smiling at them the little monkey! They did all the relevant checks and, thankfully, he was fine. We were extremely apologetic to the lady and gentleman who came out to us and they told us it was fine, and that it happens all the time!

Rex gradually got better over the next few days – and by Christmas Eve he had passed it on to me!

Rex’s First Christmas

The one thing I have to say is that babies do not take into account the fact that it is Christmas. You do not get a break and, even if you are ill, they still need you. Rex was almost over his cold by Christmas Eve but then he passed it on to me.

The day before Christmas Eve we went over to Ross’ parents house. This gave Rex a chance to meet his Auntie and Uncles dogs. We also took some of the presents with us – which was a good job as they wouldn’t have fit in the car when we went on the Sunday!

On Christmas Eve we all went out for a meal. I had bought Rex a special babygro which was in the form of a Christmas present with tag. The meal was at our usual place which serves a buffet of Indian, Chinese and a mix of other things. Rex slept in his car seat for some of it but then most of the time on me (as usual). When we got home, Father Christmas managed to turn up whilst both kids were sleeping – somewhat of a miracle with Rex!

Christmas Day

First thing on Christmas morning, Ross took Rex downstairs so I could get some more sleep. It was our usual routine where Rex was up most of the night so Ross gives me a break. Then, after about an hour, Ross, Grace and Rex came in so that we could see what Father Christmas had put in their stockings. It was lovely to watch Rex and see his face – and Grace was still just as excited as ever (despite what she had discovered last year!).

We had a lovely day together. Rex seemed a little overwhelmed and perplexed as to what was happening. He looked fabulous dressed as a Christmas Elf! He unwrapped some presents, had a bit of a sleep during the proceedings and was asleep on me as I enjoyed our Christmas dinner, which was delicious and cooked by Ross’ mum. It is lovely to think that Rex will be able to have some next year.

I have to admit that I did find it a bit hard not being able to join in with the games as I was up and downstairs with Rex so much – but I know that it isn’t always going to be that way. And he is entirely worth it!

For his first Christmas, Rex received a musical dog, a drum called Frankie Beats, some stacking rings, some maracas, a book called ‘Under the Sleepy Stars’ which we now read every night, an activity ball, a ferris wheel toy (which I call the whirligig) – which sticks to his high chair and a lovely dinosaur and book from Grace.

We even saved a few presents to open on Boxing Day.

 

No more small bed

Grace went off to her fathers the day after Boxing Day and Ross and I returned home with Rex. The night of the 28th December was the last his spent in his Chicco Next2Me crib and the last he spent in our room. Ross put up Rex’s new cot in his own room and we knew, when we returned from my mums, that this is where he would be sleeping. It did make me a bit sad.

The transition has been a mixture of things. Rex is still finding it hard to settle. I am out to him regularly. But it is so nice to have our bedroom back to ourselves where we can talk at a semi-normal level and be able to read with the light on!

A determined soul

Rex really is showing his character. He gets cross if he can’t do something. He is worried about missing things – probably why he won’t go to sleep. All of these things remind me so much of his dad!

Saying Dada

Rex really has found his voice. He loves to baby babble and has started to say dada. We are trying to help him see that Ross is dada. We are, of course, realistic enough to know that this isn’t his first word as he is not able to associate it with anything! When Grace said her first word – bag – she pointed at it and picked it up as she said it.

Rex currently loves:

Yakka Dee
Creative Galaxy
Peppa Pig
Harrison, his cuddly lion
His sister
Sitting up

The first six months of Rex

Finally, I am sharing this beautiful video which Ross put together. So many wonderful memories from just 6 months.

Joining the Bumps and Babies linky with Lets Talk Mommy – every Thursday.