The leaps babies make are astounding.  Huge and imperceptible all at the same time.  One day they seem nonplussed about the stacking cups, the next they can sit for many minutes putting one into another on repeat.  When you add dozens of these tiny developments together it's like a flower blooming on time lapse every day.  Mind blowing.

The complete 360 degree turn you've made is unbelievable!  From a pained, emotional, constantly over-tired, refluxy poor wee baby to this chilled-out, joyous little boy is nuts.  You are the sweetest, calmest, loveliest creature...happy to explore a basket of toys for 30mins ++ before the slightest peep for attention, I just can't convey how peaceful and ridiculously adorable you are.  We sit together, on the days Louie is at daycare, me working on my computer (planning a wedding, doing work), you on the floor turning toys over in your hands, shaking them, intently getting to know them.  I watch you for many minutes at a time, enraptured in your rapture.  I can't stop watching you.  I look at your face when Dad or Louie walk into the room, to watch the joy explode in your eyes.  I watch you eating, like a little monkey with your clever, clasping fingers.  I watch you and you catch my eye and smile so wide.  I watch you doze in my arms after your bottle at night, softly opening your eyes to see me and then relaxing back to sleep.  And today I watched you crawl forwards, for the first time!  Shaky and hesitant at first and then shortly after, proud and beaming!  Your world just got a whole lot bigger Arlo, you go discover it, I'll be here watching you, my heart fit to burst.  We have such a strong bond darling boy, you make me so, so, so happy.

I just finished watching 'Boyhood' but didn't feel as moved by it as I had anticipated.  Then I went to check on Louie in his bed.  He was all stretched out, star pose, his body all lengthened and leaned out, his chubby cheeks, long legs....a dichotomy between baby and boy.  The nappy and roundness of his face the only thing really keeping him little, my baby.  And then all the scenes of the movie, the two hour long movie-time growth of boy to man, suddenly seem an incredibly accurate foreshadowing of the next dozen years.  You are mine for such a short time.  All the world awaits you.

I feel a little like we've come out the end of a dark tunnel Arlo-boy.  Your first six months of life haven't been the smoothest with all your poor tummy pains and reflux and inability to sleep.  But pretty suddenly, things are much, much better.  I've stopped breast feeding you which was part heart-breaking, part liberating.  I celebrated six months of successful breastfeeding on our holiday in Taupo and then slowly switched to formula.  Along with the pangs of guilt and worry have been amazement and happiness at how hungry you are, how much better you are sleeping and generally, how much more we are both enjoying life.  

Yesterday I did something I've not done in your entire 6 month old life...I just sat beside you on a mat outside, not talking, not giving you any thing like I'd usually do (toys, leaves etc...nothing), not stimulating you in the slightest way. You sat (preferred modus operandi atm) and looked around,  completely mesmerised at the trees, grass, nothing (!), excited/arms flapping for 35 MINS!! With not a word from me. And then when you finally reached over for me for cuddles, you were so happy. It made me realise how over-stimulated you probably are, with a brother tearing around, in and out of cars, toys, bottles, food, nappies etc etc. You've probably been dying for some time to sit still and take in the world. 

You are very curious.  Turning over toys in your hands for many minutes, studying them intently.  As soon as I pick you up out of your bed your head whips around from side to side taking the room in, spotting any changes I may have made while you slept (a pile of washing, a stack of books).  You're happy and smiley and an absolute joy to be around.  Louie fed you breakfast this morning and you nearly died of happiness.  I could watch you watching Louie for eternity.  And I get to!

Happy half year my river boy, I love you so very much

xxx

Trying to get everything done these days is tough, I have to spread myself so thinly between everything/one that I don't think I do anything justice, least of all this blog.  My poor baby Arlo, if it wasn't for your Nonna (hi Mum!) texting me every now and then lamenting the lack of entries for you, there wouldn't be many at all.  But perhaps if I try to get something little down quickly every now and then, with the odd longer 'ode to thee', I might escape the second child neglect accusations?

Today we had to run about doing a bunch of errands while Louie was at daycare.  You were happy to be bumped from car seat to pram and back again a bunch of times, grabbing a few teeny, tiny Zzz's but mostly gazing about with your enormous blue eyes, squealing at everything.  You are so happy, so, so happy.  It makes me so, so happy because we didn't think you'd ever find life ok, let alone wonderous.  You do this sharp intake of breath when you are overcome with happy emotion, then let rip a big squeaky screech and grin and grin.  Oh you are so lovely!  I almost want to wake you up and have your fuzzy little warm head rest in on my shoulder.

You bath time is when you do a lot of smiling, lying on the bottom of it like you brother did when he was little.  Kicking and grinning and splashing water in your eye only to splutter and flail until you catch my eye and ascertain everything is ok and laugh a bit.

You've got one tooth through and the second on it's way.  You're eating some pear and having a bit of formula, to allow me to take a few photo booth bookings.  Not terrible fussed but we're getting there.  In the last few days you've put yourself to sleep a few times in your cot, you still wake 45 min later but you've even resettled a couple of times on your own, to my total amazement.

Suddenly you are very present, very awake.  Suddenly you are almost five months old.  I haven't minded the first few months slipping by because they were really tough.  But now, like every mum before me at some time, I'd like to pause a bit please.  You are such a delight kid.