Harry was 21 months old last week. On the one hand, it’s hard to believe it’s that long since I was pacing up and down the corridors of the Maelor waiting for Harry to arrive.
On the other hand, it’s difficult to remember what life was like without Harry. And one thing’s for sure, they have been the best 21 months of my life.
As I’ve said before, being a parent certainly encourages you to make the most of your weekends. The fine weather last Sunday saw us head to Llangollen to ride on Thomas the Tank Engine.
It was great watching Harry’s expression change when he recognised Thomas – it was the trigger for an afternoon of excitement as far as he was concerned.
When we first got on the train, Harry was so excited he wouldn’t sit still, climbing up to see out of the carriage one minute, before jumping down to explore the next, and all the while shouting Thomas or ‘choo choo’ at the top of his voice.
In fact, the only time he did sit still was when he was demolishing a sausage roll – and then only because I was practically holding him down in a vain attempt to limit the mess.
Put it this way, I now understand why my dad used to complain about us eating sausage rolls in the car when we were little.
When we arrived at Carrog, trying to keep hold of Harry was the biggest challenge as he charged up and down the platform waving his new Thomas flag. Thankfully, Melissa had remembered to put the reins in – and I was left in no doubt that they are an essential tool in the battle to hang on to adventurous toddlers.
But it was great fun – and I’m sure if Harry gets his way, we’ll be booking ourselves on to the Santa Special in December.
Showing posts with label Thomas the Tank Engine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thomas the Tank Engine. Show all posts
Monday, 1 November 2010
Friday, 13 August 2010
When I went to tuck Harry in the other day, it suddenly struck me how much he has changed in the last few months. There he was, stretched out, filling his cot, looking like a little boy, not the baby of eight or nine months ago.
Because he was fast asleep, I was able to stand and study him and I found myself – not for the first time – feeling very humble about how nature works.
But while I sometimes get misty-eyed about things, Harry has no such concerns. He’s a bundle of energy from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to bed – minus his couple of increasingly brief naps during the day.
However, I have noticed that his concentration span is starting to increase, and he’s playing with his toys properly now. For example, a few months ago his little wooden Thomas the Tank Engine train set was used primarily as a weapon; now he will lie down next to the track and gently push the trains around it. Although this doesn’t last long, it is fascinating to watch how he is changing.
Of course, he still likes playing with things he shouldn’t, and his latest obsession is my desktop computer. He likes to sit in the chair, playing with the mouse and tapping away at the keyboard. It’s a comical sight, although it has resulted in the computer becoming increasingly temperamental in recent weeks.
Then there’s the vacuum cleaner. Harry still gets worryingly excited whenever he spots it, shouting ‘Hoover’ as loudly as possible, clapping his hands and hopping from one foot to the other.
Sometimes he will follow me around the house with his own toy vacuum cleaner; at other times, he grabs a duster and the polish does his best to help with the cleaning. I just hope he remembers all this in five years time when we want him to tidy his room.
Because he was fast asleep, I was able to stand and study him and I found myself – not for the first time – feeling very humble about how nature works.
But while I sometimes get misty-eyed about things, Harry has no such concerns. He’s a bundle of energy from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to bed – minus his couple of increasingly brief naps during the day.
However, I have noticed that his concentration span is starting to increase, and he’s playing with his toys properly now. For example, a few months ago his little wooden Thomas the Tank Engine train set was used primarily as a weapon; now he will lie down next to the track and gently push the trains around it. Although this doesn’t last long, it is fascinating to watch how he is changing.
Of course, he still likes playing with things he shouldn’t, and his latest obsession is my desktop computer. He likes to sit in the chair, playing with the mouse and tapping away at the keyboard. It’s a comical sight, although it has resulted in the computer becoming increasingly temperamental in recent weeks.
Then there’s the vacuum cleaner. Harry still gets worryingly excited whenever he spots it, shouting ‘Hoover’ as loudly as possible, clapping his hands and hopping from one foot to the other.
Sometimes he will follow me around the house with his own toy vacuum cleaner; at other times, he grabs a duster and the polish does his best to help with the cleaning. I just hope he remembers all this in five years time when we want him to tidy his room.
When I went to tuck Harry in the other day, it suddenly struck me how much he has changed in the last few months. There he was, stretched out, filling his cot, looking like a little boy, not the baby of eight or nine months ago.
Because he was fast asleep, I was able to stand and study him and I found myself – not for the first time – feeling very humble about how nature works.
But while I sometimes get misty-eyed about things, Harry has no such concerns. He’s a bundle of energy from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to bed – minus his couple of increasingly brief naps during the day.
However, I have noticed that his concentration span is starting to increase, and he’s playing with his toys properly now. For example, a few months ago his little wooden Thomas the Tank Engine train set was used primarily as a weapon; now he will lie down next to the track and gently push the trains around it. Although this doesn’t last long, it is fascinating to watch how he is changing.
Of course, he still likes playing with things he shouldn’t, and his latest obsession is my desktop computer. He likes to sit in the chair, playing with the mouse and tapping away at the keyboard. It’s a comical sight, although it has resulted in the computer becoming increasingly temperamental in recent weeks.
Then there’s the vacuum cleaner. Harry still gets worryingly excited whenever he spots it, shouting ‘Hoover’ as loudly as possible, clapping his hands and hopping from one foot to the other.
Sometimes he will follow me around the house with his own toy vacuum cleaner; at other times, he grabs a duster and the polish does his best to help with the cleaning. I just hope he remembers all this in five years time when we want him to tidy his room.
Because he was fast asleep, I was able to stand and study him and I found myself – not for the first time – feeling very humble about how nature works.
But while I sometimes get misty-eyed about things, Harry has no such concerns. He’s a bundle of energy from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to bed – minus his couple of increasingly brief naps during the day.
However, I have noticed that his concentration span is starting to increase, and he’s playing with his toys properly now. For example, a few months ago his little wooden Thomas the Tank Engine train set was used primarily as a weapon; now he will lie down next to the track and gently push the trains around it. Although this doesn’t last long, it is fascinating to watch how he is changing.
Of course, he still likes playing with things he shouldn’t, and his latest obsession is my desktop computer. He likes to sit in the chair, playing with the mouse and tapping away at the keyboard. It’s a comical sight, although it has resulted in the computer becoming increasingly temperamental in recent weeks.
Then there’s the vacuum cleaner. Harry still gets worryingly excited whenever he spots it, shouting ‘Hoover’ as loudly as possible, clapping his hands and hopping from one foot to the other.
Sometimes he will follow me around the house with his own toy vacuum cleaner; at other times, he grabs a duster and the polish does his best to help with the cleaning. I just hope he remembers all this in five years time when we want him to tidy his room.
Monday, 9 August 2010
Football and dancing
I’m always very proud when people say Harry looks like me. I’m not sure why exactly, but whenever anybody comments on the resemblance (even if it is Harry’s hairline) I find myself smiling away as if somebody has just paid me a compliment.
However, I’m realistic enough to know that Harry being a carbon copy of me wouldn’t be a good thing, particularly when it comes to dancing. Thankfully, Harry seems to have inherited his mum’s sense of rhythm.
Whenever he hears music, Harry immediately starts bobbing up and down, hopping from one leg to the other, spinning around and waving his arms wildly. He also likes to grab people to dance with him and gets particularly excited when he hears the theme tunes to his favourite television programmes, Chuggington and Thomas and Friends.
It also turns out he’s a bit of a fan of sixties music. When he goes to my mum’s for the day, he makes a beeline for the hi-fi. Bend it, by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch seems to be his favourite. Even my nan gets up to dance with him at the grand old age of 94. It’s a remarkable sight.
But Harry’s dancing is not without its problems. Melissa and I took him to a charity tea dance last weekend and he was so keen to join in, he kept running in between couples who were taking the dancing very seriously. They didn’t really see the funny side, unlike Harry who had the time of his life tearing around the dancefloor while I ran round after him trying in vain to keep him out of trouble.
Dancing apart, he’s also developing some pretty impressive football skills. I’ve no idea where he gets these from (it’s certainly not from me – I didn’t even make the primary school team), but he loves running around with a ball at his feet before kicking it as hard as he can at somebody or something. It’s impressive stuff from an 18-month-old.
My aim now is to teach him the basics of cricket. It could be dangerous.
However, I’m realistic enough to know that Harry being a carbon copy of me wouldn’t be a good thing, particularly when it comes to dancing. Thankfully, Harry seems to have inherited his mum’s sense of rhythm.
Whenever he hears music, Harry immediately starts bobbing up and down, hopping from one leg to the other, spinning around and waving his arms wildly. He also likes to grab people to dance with him and gets particularly excited when he hears the theme tunes to his favourite television programmes, Chuggington and Thomas and Friends.
It also turns out he’s a bit of a fan of sixties music. When he goes to my mum’s for the day, he makes a beeline for the hi-fi. Bend it, by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch seems to be his favourite. Even my nan gets up to dance with him at the grand old age of 94. It’s a remarkable sight.
But Harry’s dancing is not without its problems. Melissa and I took him to a charity tea dance last weekend and he was so keen to join in, he kept running in between couples who were taking the dancing very seriously. They didn’t really see the funny side, unlike Harry who had the time of his life tearing around the dancefloor while I ran round after him trying in vain to keep him out of trouble.
Dancing apart, he’s also developing some pretty impressive football skills. I’ve no idea where he gets these from (it’s certainly not from me – I didn’t even make the primary school team), but he loves running around with a ball at his feet before kicking it as hard as he can at somebody or something. It’s impressive stuff from an 18-month-old.
My aim now is to teach him the basics of cricket. It could be dangerous.
Monday, 5 July 2010
The early morning wake up call
IT'S FAIR to say that I'm still adjusting to life as a parent. It was a real shock to the system when Harry first arrived on the scene in January last year and, even with all the advice from friends and the various textbooks, I simply wasn't prepared for the massive changes that happen when you become a parent.
Nearly seventeen months on, I'm still getting used to the idea that I'm now a dad with all the responsibility that brings with it.
It’s true that you do have to make massive changes to your lifestyle when you become a parent and your priorities are turned completely on their head. Even simple things like popping out for a pint, meeting up with friends, or going to watch the football require planning with military precision.
But I think we've coped pretty well with that side of life. What has been tougher, for me at least, is dealing with sleep - or, more precisely, a lack of it.
Looking back to the first few weeks after Harry was born, I don't know how we managed having to get up two or three times a night to feed and change him. Of course, you muddle through and things do get better.
The problem is, you forget how hard you had it then and begin to get used to sleeping through the night again. Unfortunately for us, Harry has now decided that he likes waking up early - usually between half five and half six - which means we have to get up early too.
What amazes me is how much energy he has at that time of day. There's no easing into the day gently with Harry, and I'm often woken by the shout of 'Da da' which, roughly translated, means he’s ready for breakfast.
A few months ago, the solution was simple - we brought him into our bed and he would drop off for another hour or so. Unfortunately, he's no longer interested in going back to sleep and he will happily slap, pull, poke and prod me until I get up and take him downstairs.
To be honest, this isn't so bad during the week when I've got to get up to go to work anyway, but it's tough at the weekends when you need to catch up on your sleep.
It’s also a bit disconcerting having to watch Thomas the Tank Engine at six o’clock in the morning. Still, a couple of friends with chidren have assured me it's just a phase and that Harry will soon be sleeping until eight or half past. At the moment, I’d happily settle for seven.
Nearly seventeen months on, I'm still getting used to the idea that I'm now a dad with all the responsibility that brings with it.
It’s true that you do have to make massive changes to your lifestyle when you become a parent and your priorities are turned completely on their head. Even simple things like popping out for a pint, meeting up with friends, or going to watch the football require planning with military precision.
But I think we've coped pretty well with that side of life. What has been tougher, for me at least, is dealing with sleep - or, more precisely, a lack of it.
Looking back to the first few weeks after Harry was born, I don't know how we managed having to get up two or three times a night to feed and change him. Of course, you muddle through and things do get better.
The problem is, you forget how hard you had it then and begin to get used to sleeping through the night again. Unfortunately for us, Harry has now decided that he likes waking up early - usually between half five and half six - which means we have to get up early too.
What amazes me is how much energy he has at that time of day. There's no easing into the day gently with Harry, and I'm often woken by the shout of 'Da da' which, roughly translated, means he’s ready for breakfast.
A few months ago, the solution was simple - we brought him into our bed and he would drop off for another hour or so. Unfortunately, he's no longer interested in going back to sleep and he will happily slap, pull, poke and prod me until I get up and take him downstairs.
To be honest, this isn't so bad during the week when I've got to get up to go to work anyway, but it's tough at the weekends when you need to catch up on your sleep.
It’s also a bit disconcerting having to watch Thomas the Tank Engine at six o’clock in the morning. Still, a couple of friends with chidren have assured me it's just a phase and that Harry will soon be sleeping until eight or half past. At the moment, I’d happily settle for seven.
Friday, 23 October 2009
Bedtime stories
One thing I’m keen to do with Harry is get him interested in books at an early age.
For the last few months, Melissa has been busy buying all sorts of books and Harry has started to take notice of them, even if he does seem to be more interested in eating them than looking at them.
When he’s in the right mood, though, he will sit on my knee and listen while I read to him but these calm periods are pretty brief and normally conclude with Harry and me in a tug of war over the book.
I’ve also been trying to read Harry bedtime stories in the hope of calming him down before bedtime. I always used to look forward to a bedtime story when I was little and most experts say it’s good to get babies into a routine before they go to sleep at night.
Unfortunately, Harry obviously hasn’t heard any of these so-called experts and, even when I use my best BBC newsreader voice, he’s still gets too excited, bouncing around his cot and trying to snatch the book out of my hand.
I’ve tried different types of books; if My Favourite Truck is a bit too racy, how about Elmer the Elephant? No joy. We still end up with Harry standing up in his cot and chewing the rail in between shouts of excitement.
However, I’m determined not to give up. And at least reading Harry a bedtime story allows me to take a trip down memory lane with Thomas the Tank Engine.
Now I can’t wait until he’s old enough to have his own train set as well – then the fun will really start.
For the last few months, Melissa has been busy buying all sorts of books and Harry has started to take notice of them, even if he does seem to be more interested in eating them than looking at them.
When he’s in the right mood, though, he will sit on my knee and listen while I read to him but these calm periods are pretty brief and normally conclude with Harry and me in a tug of war over the book.
I’ve also been trying to read Harry bedtime stories in the hope of calming him down before bedtime. I always used to look forward to a bedtime story when I was little and most experts say it’s good to get babies into a routine before they go to sleep at night.
Unfortunately, Harry obviously hasn’t heard any of these so-called experts and, even when I use my best BBC newsreader voice, he’s still gets too excited, bouncing around his cot and trying to snatch the book out of my hand.
I’ve tried different types of books; if My Favourite Truck is a bit too racy, how about Elmer the Elephant? No joy. We still end up with Harry standing up in his cot and chewing the rail in between shouts of excitement.
However, I’m determined not to give up. And at least reading Harry a bedtime story allows me to take a trip down memory lane with Thomas the Tank Engine.
Now I can’t wait until he’s old enough to have his own train set as well – then the fun will really start.
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