Living in the modern world
By admin | August 16, 2008
For example, I was browsing a friends Facebook gallery album of her daughter and she’s really grown since I last saw her and I wanted to comment on how beautiful she is but I found it hard to find the words to say that so it wouldn’t be misconstrued as something completely different. I have the same problem on this forum too. I want to comment on all the beautiful pictures on here but I sometimes don’t because I never want anything to be taken the wrong way.
This also extends to how I act with children in public. For some reason, children find me hilarious and often stare and grin at me while I’m out and about. I usually grin back or pull a silly face but then I suddenly feel very self conscious that the parents might think my intentions are less than pure. It’s easier these days by pushing or carrying Luke but even still, there are times where I ignore a grinning child for fear of being mistaken for a pervert!
The same goes when taking pictures of Luke out in zoos, etc. I’m so careful to make sure no other children are in the picture so much so that I often miss a good picture. The other day on the beach there were two little girls playing near us and each time I went to take a picture, they ran into view playing with their ball.
It’s a fine line and it’s getting harder to walk it. It’s a sad fact that you’re guilty until proven innocent in most people’s eyes. Are we taking things too far? Are we punishing the majority for the actions of the minority or is it just being protective?
Topics: Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
Seaside Epiphany
By admin | August 16, 2008
We were standing in Hemsby, on the Norfolk coast, a few miles from Great Yarmouth when I saw a glimpse of the future.
We were on a little day trip to the seaside with Luke when Debbie suggested taking a minor detour to Hemsby; the place for many happy childhood holidays for her and her family. I have heard many tales about Hemsby over the years. People falling into swimming pools fully clothed. Throwing up down the side of the car. The sand dunes and beaches. The Copacabana club and launderette.
I watched Debbie excitedly point out what she remembered and what had changed since her last visit over twenty years ago. The club remained as did the swimming pool. A short walk to the holiday chalets produced more memories and excitement from the past.
Watching her, I was struck by how amazing it was to imagine that twenty years previously she was in this very place sharing our footprints oblivious to her future. She had no idea that she would one day return holding her own child. This realization underlined the need for us to make memories with Luke. So that he may one day return to a place we’ve taken him with his children and tell them tales about the things he did there with his mum and dad.
It is sad to think that eventually we’ll be gone and nothing more than a random collection of memories in our children. But our actions will live on and will help shape their lives. Each day is important and even the most pedestrian of holiday resorts will be a rich source of happiness for one child and her eventual legacy.
Topics: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Beware the four month growth spurt
By Matt | July 27, 2008
Luke is currently in the middle of the dreaded four month growth spurt during the hottest part of the year. While he never was the greatest sleeper and always enjoyed a good scream (and boy, is it a scream) it got a whole lot worse over the past week or so.
He is incredibly unsettled. He was getting to the stage where he had a small nap at 11:30am and again at 3:00pm. He would then settle for the night around 9:00pm waking at around 12:00, 3:00 and 6:00 for feeds. The past few days have been a constant battle to even get him to sleep. He also doesn’t enjoy sleeping in his cot at the moment, so he’s either asleep on Debbie or laying between us in the bed. His sleep is short and fitful. He’s waking almost every hour for feeding or comfort. It makes for a very stressful time!
We’ve heard a lot of his scream over the past few days. Now, most parents with small babies don’t like to hear their child cry and we’re no exception. What is different though is that Luke’s screams could wake the dead and deafen the living. It’s the kind of scream that stops people in a supermarket so that they can turn and stare, gaping at the spectacle. A few even add choice comments like “Oh, he’s not happy is he?” and my personal favourite: “Oh, is he hungry?”. Without a hint of humour, we have both suffered short term ear damage after a prolonged session of screaming.
These “growth spurts” occur when babies go through rapid development either physically or mentally. To me, Luke has really grown over the past few weeks. Looking back through photos, it’s hard to believe he was ever the tiny baby we see in them.
We both hope that this phase passes quickly and normal service resumes! Who knows, we might even get a little sleep, again. Until the next one. Or he wants to wean. Or teething starts. Or separation anxiety starts…
So, new parents be warned. Gather your wits and stock up on sleep before your little darling turns into a little monster around the four month mark!
Of course, it’s not all screaming and sleep deprivation. Overall, Luke is a very happy baby that loves attention and loves to play. He squeals with delight when you blow raspberrys on his tummy and loves his neck to be ‘eaten’. This morning he had his arms wrapped tightly around my neck and was eating my face which had me in hysterics.
I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Topics: 3 - 6 Months | 1 Comment »
Welcome!
By Matt | July 19, 2008
Welcome to the newly redesigned Baby Mecham website!
Luke is now four months old so I thought it was time to give the site a fresh new look and to bring in some of Luke’s character.
It’s amazing to think that when I originally put the site together, Luke was still ‘Flump’ and parenthood was a word and not a verb.
Topics: Uncategorized | 7 Comments »
Random musings of an 8 week old dad
By Matt | May 12, 2008
I still find it hard to think of myself as a dad. It’s easier to accept that I’m a parent. I imagine that you don’t feel like a dad until you can interact with your child and somehow begin to guide them along their path.
It’s very easy to get lost in the day to day maintenance of changing nappies, winding and soothing and forget that the baby you are maintaining is your very own flesh and blood. Every now and again I stare at his beautiful face and remind myself that I had a hand in creating him.
Already I’m aware of just how much he’s changed not only physically but also mentally. He’s very alert now. He’ll quite happily watch you as you talk to him. A frown flickers across for a second and he tries to mimic your mouth movements. His attempts to talk back are limited to a string of ‘coos’ and ‘aaahs’ but he’s trying. He’ll watch you come into a room and walk past him. Those big brown eyes follow you everywhere. He’s already making preferences on his toys (loves ‘Mr Clip-clop’ and his cot mobile. Not sure about much else). His smile is used more and more each day. A session of ‘tickle the tummy’ usually elicits one along with a squeal of delight accompanied by a thumping of the legs. A few nights ago we caught him kicking his cot mobile toys as they swung past.
Just watching him develop is rewarding enough. One only has to look back a few weeks to when he was largely oblivious of the surrounding world and those that care for him.
We’re starting to get into a routine of sorts. It’s not perfect but I think we’re starting to get him to understand that night is for sleeping. He’s certainly more awake during the day, now. Nights are a little less of a battle thankfully. For the most part, he settles himself to sleep with only minimal intervention from one of us.
It’s hard to put into words the depth of feeling I have for my son. It’s almost flippant to just admit that I love him. The words certainly aren’t enough. There are many different kinds of love, but none as strong and pure as the love you have for your child. When I look at his little round face, I can’t help but to whisper him a thousand promises.
Each day is a challenge. Some we win, some we lose. It’s hard work and it can be very tense and tiring but there is certainly nothing in life as rewarding. I’m determined to enjoy every single second with Luke. Time passes too quickly and once this moment has passed all we have is the memory of it. I want every memory to be rich and vivid so I can revisit them with total clarity anytime I wish. As he lays sleeping in my arms, his peaceful face turned towards mine I vow that I could spend a hundred years like that and never tire.
He’s growing fast, as you can see.
Topics: Luke, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »