Two weeks with Harry...

I’ve just spent two full weeks with Harry – my longest uninterrupted period with him since he arrived home from hospital more than 17 months ago.

Spending time with Harry is always special, but having 14 days with him was a particular treat.

We spent the first week by the sea in Whitby, Yorkshire. Fortunately, the weather was fine and we were able to get the beach twice a day, every day, which delighted Harry.

He thoroughly enjoyed playing with his bucket and spade on the beach – so much so that I found myself having to pretend to play in the sand on our apartment floor shortly after six every morning.

Goodness knows what our unfortunate neighbours made of it all, but it kept Harry entertained and that’s all that matters.

Mind you, I think I enjoyed the beach just as much as Harry – and I’ve now got the perfect excuse to behave like a big kid, so I had great fun competing with Melissa to build the biggest and best sandcastle.

One thing that did shock me, though, was the sand. It gets everywhere and, thanks to Harry, our apartment was covered in it. By the end of the week, I’d swear there was more sand in our bed than on the beach.

Sand aside, it was a fantastic break. My favourite moment came when we were playing on the beach one day and Harry grabbed my hand before taking me paddling. Watching a very well-behaved Harry eating fish and chips in a busy restaurant on our last day also made me realise just how quickly he’s growing up. I’m determined to enjoy every minute of it.

All change

We’ve just returned from holiday in Whitby, Yorkshire and, having spent a whole week with Harry, I just can’t believe how quickly he’s changing.

Things seem to have happened all of a sudden and, thankfully, my holiday was timed to perfection as I got to see them all.

Just before our break, Harry learnt to sit up – without falling over. Then he started to crawl properly. This was in the space of a couple of days.

And last week, for the first time, he learnt how to pull himself up into a standing position. Now he wants to stand all the time.

To begin with, we were helping him stand; now he pulls himself upright at every available opportunity. The first time he did it, he was in his cot. Melissa and I were sat watching television as he managed to grab the top rail and pull himself upright after a brief struggle.

It was an incredible moment, and Harry was obviously very pleased with himself at having managed this feat; so pleased, in fact, he fell flat on his face a moment later. Fortunately, it’s not put him off.

This development has coincided with him learning to wave and clap. He managed to charm a whole restaurant while we were on holiday by smiling and waving at everybody.

Harry’s also started to join in our conversations, making noises that sound like ‘dad’ and ‘hiya’.

I’m not sure he knows what they mean but it’s great to hear him nonetheless (Melissa’s putting a brave face on it, but I think she’s secretly gutted he hasn’t attempted ‘mum’ yet). If he’s not being paid enough attention, he shouts – loudly.

Anyway, he’s looking and behaving less and less like a baby and more and more like a little boy, with his own personality.

Watching him grow and develop is, quite simply, the most remarkable experience of my life.