Songs I sing to my boy

For a long time now, DS has had 'Oh my baby', and 'You are my Sunshine', sung to him. These are 2 staples in our house, and they're 'mummy songs'. Something I have been singing for a few years now is 'the Crocodile. This is a song I learnt whilst I was in my local high school choir, and we sung it in St David's Hall. I had mistakenly thought our conductor had written words and tune, but have recently found I was wrong (and also 2 verses I had forgotten).

So, here, for my DS (and my memory), are the words and author:


The Crocodile

If you were to stand on the banks of the Nile
In the sweltering sun and with sand in the air
You'd have to beware of the bold crocodile
For he and his friends would surely be there.
With a lashing and thrashing of terrible tail
And a snapping and clapping of horrible jaws
He searches for food and should he find your trail
He wouldn't say no to a body like yours.
They say he can live for a great many years
With his crocodile skin like an armoured car
Because of his teeth there is nothing he fears
When he's seen in a zoo, you are safer by far.
And now that my story is nearly complete
Of the crocodile's habits I'm sure you might dream
But remember, the only one you'll chance to meet
Is the lizard who lives on the banks of a stream.

Peter Jenkyns (1921-96)

Open Letter - update

To my beautiful sunny boy,

Wow, what a ride we're on at the moment. I quit my job in July, and have been with you at home ever since.

People often say you don't notice someone changing when they're with you day in day out. This clearly isn't something anyone could ever say about being with you. Currently you're 2yrs and 7months old.

You are my absolute sunshine, and make me smile more than anyone possible.

I love the fact you have commandeered my iPad. To be honest, it was yours the second I opened the box. You work the PS3 via the remote and 'own' most gadgets in the house. Your understanding is incredible and your sense of humour is absolutely wicked. I love the glint in your eye as you tell me the green object in my hand is 'brown'. It's your favourite thing to do, and your shrieks of delight when you finally relent & tell me the correct colour, is just brilliant.

I learnt to make a lightsaber because of your obsession with Star Wars, and I'm sure our battles will be legendary, even if you are slightly obsessed with Darth Vader! You only have to watch a film once before you can quote bits of it at me, or tell me what is happening when I play soundtracks. Your memory is astounding ad I am in complete awe of you.

You are at that stage where you're copying verbatim, phrases we say. Not anything in particular, but always the ones you shouldn't. I'm not sure who enjoyed hearing your repetition of 'silly old trout' more. I didn't help the situation by collapsing into fits of giggles, but we had such fun.

I love our cinema outings. I don't just love them, I adore them. I love the routine, the excitement in your eyes, and the fact you remind me you need a special drink and treats! For all our sakes, I now bring them from home.

Because I'm not working, we've now had the cinema to ourselves for 3 films. We sit in the middle. Right in the middle. You still have a booster seat. Once you're settled, you ask for your drink and your treats. I have to try and distract you so you don't finish them all before the film even starts.

During the trailers, we work out what we want to see next, and the films we don't want to see. You hold a conversation and opinion so well, I struggle to remember you're not even 3. We've got into the habit of talking through the films. Mainly because it's only us. We might get into trouble if we ever have any other company in the cinema! After the film we talk about it, and you tell me what bits you liked best and your favourite characters. You also ask me questions.

You constantly amaze me with phrases and mannerisms you have picked up. You're often ill, and the only thing that can help is a 'chocolate bunny'. The chocolate bunny appeared after you watched 'Hop' (film about the Easter Bunny). Every time you see a chocolate bunny, you tell me it's EB (from 'Hop').

You exercise in the mornings with me. You do star jumps and sit ups, and you're a delight to workout with. After exercising you tell me how good I am at exercising, and then insist we celebrate with a lightsaber battle!

Today we went to Sainsburys and bought some ingredients for pancakes. I made you pancakes with apple, cinnamon and raisins. You really liked them. You also really like eating sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Whilst we were at Sainsburys, you chose a pink butterfly duvet set, which I put on your bed when we get home. You were so excited and jumped into bed straight away. You then asked me to get in with you and read you Peppa Pig at the library. You can almost quote the whole book at me now!

These are just some of the things we have done, that I love doing with you.

You're due to start a nursery, 3 half-mornings a week, in 7months. I can't believe how fast time is flying.

I love you so very much. Thank you for making my days shine so very brightly!

Love you,


Mummy xxx

Special days

We met 2 years ago today. I can't believe it. I also can't believe we 'met'. You feel so born to us, you're so naturally our little boy. It feels we've known you your whole life.

We went out and celebrated with frozen yoghurt at your favourite place. Your had vanilla with smarties on the top. I had a chocolate & vanilla mix. From where you normally sit, you can see the TV screens in the Disney Store, so after we finished our yoghurts, we went for a walk around the Disney Store. You chose a hula hoop with lots of sparkle and pictures of Rapunzel & Pascal on it.

Unfortunately Daddy had to work, so couldn't be with us, but I sent him a picture we had taken at the yoghurt bar.

We had such a lovely time xxx

Letter to my son

Tonight, our gorgeous boy, was the last time we ever had to take you back to your foster Mum's.

You're teething at the moment and it's painful to watch. I know you're in pain, and all I can do is supply you with cold teethers and teething gel. Your face gets so red and confused, because you can't understand why everything hurts so much. Sometimes you find it easier biting on my fingers, and even though it hurts, I let you, because it gives you relief, which in turn, works for me. Calgel also seems to help.

We bathed you as normal tonight and I rubbed some cream into you, to help you sleep (Johnson's Dream Cream, with Lavender, to relax you). You smiled happily at me and we shared many kisses and smiles. You had your bottle, and you fell asleep, with Daddy almost sleeping to the sound of your breathing.

I hated having to put you into your car seat - you've hated it the last few nights, and have cried. Taking you out the other end feels wrong, as you're sound asleep again at that point. As normal, you awoke with a start to the street lights, and I held you close, inside my coat, to shield you from the cold, rain and light. When we got in, we put you straight to bed and left you.

The drive home was strange. We hated leaving you, as normal, but we smiled as we realised we'll never have to do it again.

Tomorrow, on St David's Day, your Foster Mum brings you round to live with us forever. She said you've been different with her for over a week, and no longer cling to her like you used to - that the Mummy slot has been firmly filled by me, and whereas she likes it, it must be strange for her to experience. She's been doing this for 18yrs+ now, and she's done so very well by you.

You are an absolute joy to behold. You make me smile more than anything or anyone in the world. I worried that because I hadn't given birth to you, I'd not be able to cope with your crying. You find that other people's children annoy you. However, you're not other people's children, you're my son, and your crying just makes me want to wrap you up in rainbows and make everything better for you.

So - for all of us, it's the start of something amazing. We've waited so long for you, we've been through so much to get here, and we were prepared to fight the world for you. We still are. Your Daddy and I love you very much.

You're also eligible to play rugby for Wales! ;)