The judges, including two children, did not know which category to place Ingo
in so awarded him a special prize for his uniqueness.
10 to 12 weeks - Ingo's hands discover each other like two sea
creatures meeting in the ocean. Nappy changes are no longer a trauma for
him and us, he makes oohing noises and smiles charmingly especially when
his 'sprinkler' goes off! Eek! got me again!
14 to 16 weeks - Ingo starts to
break off the nipple when feeding to look up at his Mum with a big grin and
gentle coos... melt melt.. Chris goes all gooey.
16 weeks - his hands
discover his willie ........ whilst a very pooey nappy is being
changed.....lovely! We try dipping his feet in the local paddling
pool...."GWAAAAHHHH! Ingo is beginning to enjoy baths, especially
in an aquatic armchair we've got him for the purpose.
17 weeks - his hands discover the fixing tabs on his
nappies...uh oh! Solids are introduced, apple and pear going down a storm.
The nights become very 'fruity'... Simon- BLLAAAAARRRRRRTTTT! Chris-
Vrrrooop! Ingo - Pop Poop POOT PLUT!
18 to 20 weeks - Ingo's toes and feet
have become very mobile, they grasp and feel everything within reach.
He manages to get a toe hole in Chris's belly button during feeds.
Chris sneaks up on him when he is asleep in a desperate attempt to cut
his nails and reduce lacerations to her body!
Ingo discovers breezes and gusts of wind with excitement and much Aoooing?
He enjoys Simon playing the guitar to him, much kicking of legs and beams of
delight.
He also finds out how to push and strain
when pooing. We quickly learn how to interpret the red cheeks and look of
concentration.
Watch out for the ones that squirt out of the edges of the
nappy - Simon resignedly changes his trousers again....
20 to 22 weeks - Simon's beard and moustache are the focus of much exploration
in the mornings in bed with a brief side trip up his nostrils.
Ingo has now learnt
that if he requires milk at night he only has to start drumming his hands
and feet on Chris's back whilst in bed, for instant service.
Occasionally Simon's nipples get tweaked in the midnight search for grub.
Ingo is now sitting up on his own.... for about 10 seconds before nose
diving onto his face or rocking onto his back with a surprised look on his face.
Ingo is car sick for the first time.
22 to 23 weeks - Simon buys a huge paddling
pool. Ingo manages a few cautious dips.
Ingo discovers the joys of mangling
and sucking pieces of melon and even finds a way of holding the melon to
his mouth himself. Carrots and celery are duly explored.
He is very excited
by his first feeding cup, ramming the spout in his mouth and clutching the
handles like a pro.
He also enjoys eating, crumpling and shredding most types of paper and cardboard, given half a chance...
23 to 24 weeks - Ingo yomps up any food we give him now and is giving my breakfast toast an interested stare in the mornings. His first 2 teeth are through the gums - hooray!
He's taken to high pitched
squealing, enjoying the sounds and no doubt the attention it gets
especially in the supermarket.
Ingo loves getting presents, and enjoys the packaging most of all. He
loved crumpling and rustling the wrapping paper from a present sent by god-
grandparents Mowie and Martin, and still enjoys playing with a silvery box
lid from a present sent by Uncle Sam, which was filled with interesting and
carefully-considered things.
Chris goes shopping with Ingo with her
pockets stuffed full of toys, teething food, tissues and teething gel in an
effort to get round the shops without too many yells as soon as the buggy
stops moving.
Week 25 - Chris and Simon and Ingo go on their first family
holiday, at a rented cottage in Ross on Wye, with a swimming pool and a
grandmother nearby, who is frothing at the mouth to look after Ingo!
We leave Ingo with his grandmother for five hours - the longest time
he has been away from Chris since birth! Ingo manages fine, Chris and
Simon go for a meal and she splashes out on a pair of completely
inappropriate sandals.
Ingo and family visited Goodrich Castle and the Forest of Dean, and
the Wildfowl Trust established by Sir Peter Scott at Slimbridge. Ingo
enjoys the white-faced whistling ducks, and narrowly avoids having
his toes nibbled by a swan.
Ingo had a room made and decorated specially for him by his grandad Cyril.
The original long bedroom above the kitchen was partitioned in two, to
make an art room for Chris and a room for Ingo. A new door with
a window in it allows her to see and hear how he's getting on. Ingo is
fascinated by the animals on the wallpaper.
