It’s birthday time again, bunny! 16 months today! Sweet 16!!! And oh, what a sweet-pea you are! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, bunnikins!!!
The big news this month is… da da da daaa… wait for it…
You WALKED!! Yes, you did it bunny!!! All on your ownsome!!! For the very first time!!! You’ve been pulling yourself up onto two legs for months now, but this month you let go and stepped into the great, wobbly unknown. I am so proud of you! Nevermind those other mothers who kept raising their eyebrows down the park, muttering about late walkers. You might be a late walker, but you’re walking now!
Those legs of yours are mighty strong tree trunks ready to take on the world. You’ve taken the wind out of your mama once or twice by kicking me in the stomach. Those legs pack a punch, I’m telling you. It’s only a matter of weeks before you start careering round the house on those pins, with your old mama wheezing right behind you.
Look! I caught you on film taking some of your first steps with me and Grandma. It was historic. A big milestone. Epic.
This month I made the mistake of taking you to a big music festival. I thought it would be fun. But it wasn’t. It was in a word, hell. Hotter than Hades. Big noises and freaky looking, drugged-up people everywhere. Too much stimulation for a little bun-buns. You hated it. I hated it too. I’m too old for it, and you’re too young for it.
After a full hour meltdown screaming blue murder, you passed out on a bean bag in despair. Only to wake up horrified and screaming that we were still there 30 minutes later. Whereupon we went home. Pronto.
I won’t put you through that again I promise. To think I actually used to enjoy festivals. And to think one day you’ll actually enjoy festivals too. It’s a funny old world, isn’t it?
We had another big outing with Grandma when we took the ferry over to Angel Island. You had a blast on the boat. I just know you’re going to be sailing the high seas yourself one day. It’s in your blood, bunny. Your great grandfather and grandmother were Olympic Gold medalists in yachting, you know. You have good genes in them there bones.
On the Island, we took a little tram all the way around so we could see the views from all directions, but not get too tired from walking in the hot sun. So much nicer than being at a horrible, crowded festival. You were a happy little bunny. Look at that tufty of hair sticking up in the wind! It’s growing, sweetums! Very fine and blond, so kinda hard to see, but it’s growing bunny, I swear. One day you WILL have hair.
Food is a tricky subject right now. Some days you’ve been known to eat a whole banana in one swoop. But most of the time you’re a picky eater. I got you these pyjamas in the hopes that it might come true, that you might actually turn into a BIG EATER. But so far, no such luck. There’s more food on the floor than in your stomach.
You’ve chomped the plastic rubber coating right off that there spoon, so I’ve had to order you some proper metal cutlery.
Your latest thing is to fling your food quite vigorously at your mama. You don’t seem to like anything I make. Or if you do, you soon come down with a rash and bad stomach ache and we have to eliminate that food from your diet. So far we’ve had to eliminate dairy, gluten (including wheat, oats, rye) tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, soya and eggs. Who knows what’s next? It’s been a BIG challenge for your mama. I’m at my wits end.
But the good news is that I think I’ve finally figured out your sleep problems. It’s all down to your diet. I thought you were a “wakeful baby” but it turns out the reason you wake up every 30 minutes crying is because your stomach hurts and you don’t feel well. It’s not rocket science and I don’t know why it’s taken me 16 months to figure it out. I’m sorry bunny. I blame my own sleep deprivation. I don’t think clearly when I don’t get any sleep. But I’m confident if we can crack this food allergy stuff, then we’ll both be able to sleep better. Let’s see how it goes next month, OK?
Hey, guess what? There’s a rumour that Grandpa J. and Grandma G. might be coming to visit this month? What do you think about that then?
Yep, I know. It’s hard to believe. They’re coming all this way just to see YOU. And me and auntie, of course. But mainly you. Grandma K. stitched that colourful wall hanging that you point at every day with all the crazy animals, you know?
We’re going to have a big QUIET adventure when they get here. Lots of fun, chilling in the garden, I promise. Pointing at buzzy bees and throwing pebbles in the stream. Just hanging out together with the fam.
We might even take them to the beach.
That’s auntie’s bum, by the way, and not your mamas. Mine has a different shape to it.
It’s been another month of fun and games with you, bunny. I’ve learned so much with you. Even the hard times have been good times. It’s all so rich and rewarding every day, in every way. Thank you for being my little bunny on this wonderful journey through life. Happy birthday, bun-buns! I love you!
With all my love always,
Mummy xxxxxxxxxx
