Time

Though I am far from what I would describe as a morning person, one of my favourite times of day is just after I get up with the two youngest.

James is an independent little soul and loves nothing more than a bottle of milk and a little cuddle time sitting on my lap before he heads off to do his own thing. This is the time James is most cuddly and affectionate. I get lots of kisses from my little boy and it's nice to just relax with him for a few minutes.

Liam gets up around the same time as James but is happy to wait a few minutes before the attention turns to him. He still has a morning bottle of baby milk, a night time bottle and every now and then a mid afternoon bottle. That's all now as he is fully onto solids. The morning milk time comprises of a big cuddle and him looking up into my face as he strokes my cheek. He is just as Matthew was as a baby, you cannot see his mouth, but his little eyes sparkle and generate smiles in themselves. He is the most placid baby of all three of them. I thought they were all good babies but there is something extra special with Liam. It could just be that he is still so needy and needs his mum for everything whilst James is 17 months going on 5 years.

James is very much his own person. Discovering the world around him all the time, James is growing in personality and strength by the day. He loves nothing more than climbing on anything in his path and loves being outdoors more than anything. He is very steady on his feet and is not happy when he is not out walking. A few weeks ago we got him his first REAL pair of shoes. We went along to a well known shoe shop where he had his feet measured and he got his first pair of solid based shoes. He just loves his shoes and is so happy running around in them all day.

Of course the downside with having an incredibly self assured toddler means that we are open to all the dangers toddler years can bring. We do have a fair few accidents as James takes on a little more than he can handle. There's always the bumps to the head and the times that the toy on the sofa is a little too big and comes down on top of him. The time that he just pushes himself a little too hard on his bouncer and as for his Thomas ride on, well, it's for riding on not climbing on. Of course, the little fella does not understand and bumps and bruises are all part of the process. It's all part of the tough world of learning to be an adventurous boy.

Yesterday we went to a park in a neighbouring town and a great day was had by all. James loves the swings and slides and just having the freedom to run around a little.


There is a pretty little lake about midway through the park. I used to come and sit around here when I was pregnant with Matthew and when he was a toddler. It's not the first time we've taken Liam and James, but it's the first time James has really been able to enjoy this park and everything it offers.

Matthew is far from the toddler he was when we used to visit in the past.

Liam was fine, he loved having a look at all the colours, all the people and best of all, he got to relax and drink milk whilst taking everything in.

James the adventurer loved climbing on things without getting told off. He loves his freedom and loves doing the things his big brother does.

The smile says it all. James spends a long time on the swings but has no hesitation when telling us he has had enough. When he tries to climb out in mid air, it's time to find something else to do.

This has to be my favourite recent picture of young Liam. Now 7 months old, he doesn't feel like a baby anymore. He now plays in James' old walker and tries to crawl. He manages to roll and manouvre himself round easy enough. He absolutely loves his food. He is eating absolutely everything right now. Not a tooth in sight yet but both his brothers were around 1 year when they got their first ones so I'm not holding much hope for Liam to be any different.

So there it is, a little update on my little people and they all absolutely mean the world to me. Love you all, kiddos.