The reason we call the Bean the Bean is because that's what he looked like as a newborn. A teeny tiny curled-up kidney bean. He wasn't scarily small, but he was by no means a big baby. He still isn't. Although he's 13 months now, some of the clothes labelled '9 months' still fit.
What he lacks in stature, however, he makes up for in sheer pizazz. It's what makes him enthralling (and utterly exhausting) company. I will never forget the reaction of a family support officer at our mum and baby group when she saw him sitting bolt upright at 2 months. She said "he seems like a rather determined little boy". Which was the most un-Italian and most quintessentially British way of saying "hold on to your bootstraps mum, you're buggered".
Of course, we've just gotten used to him Terminatoring towards whatever he wants. I actually really, absolutely adore his determination. Yes we've been flapping haplessly in his wake since he started crawling at six months, but there's something so satisfying about seeing him take a good look at the world and then go and conquer it.
Like today at the playground. It's been our ordinary Sunday activity since he was about 11 months old. As ususal he was by far the tiniest kid there. And yet off he trotted, his steps still wobbly and his little arms tucked up like a mini T-rex. He had a go on everything, just like the big kids do.
Did I stand there like a glowing, gloating, infuriatingly proud mum? Yep.
What he lacks in stature, however, he makes up for in sheer pizazz. It's what makes him enthralling (and utterly exhausting) company. I will never forget the reaction of a family support officer at our mum and baby group when she saw him sitting bolt upright at 2 months. She said "he seems like a rather determined little boy". Which was the most un-Italian and most quintessentially British way of saying "hold on to your bootstraps mum, you're buggered".
Of course, we've just gotten used to him Terminatoring towards whatever he wants. I actually really, absolutely adore his determination. Yes we've been flapping haplessly in his wake since he started crawling at six months, but there's something so satisfying about seeing him take a good look at the world and then go and conquer it.
Like today at the playground. It's been our ordinary Sunday activity since he was about 11 months old. As ususal he was by far the tiniest kid there. And yet off he trotted, his steps still wobbly and his little arms tucked up like a mini T-rex. He had a go on everything, just like the big kids do.
Did I stand there like a glowing, gloating, infuriatingly proud mum? Yep.
Hello big dog. I don't care you say "from age 2 upwards". I'm having a ride.
Revolving monkey bars? Yeah I can do that.
Steps?
Let me at 'em.
Made it to the top!
Don't be scared Daddy, I'll hold your hand on the way down.
