Monkey Shine

Dear Monkey,

You are refusing to sleep... yet again.  Its been six hours since your last nap, and despite countless efforts, I just can't convince you to close your eyes.  As I type you are calling for me from your cot - crying and babbling and getting more hysterical by the minute.  You are beyond tired.  The type of tired where you scratch at your eyes and start cackling like a possessed spirit when I pat your back.

I read about separation anxiety... is that the problem perhaps?  Are you afraid to shut your eyes incase I'm not there when you wake up?  My beautiful child, you are the sunniest, most wonderful gift that life has bestowed upon me... I will sit at the foot of your bed and watch over you forever.

I like to think that you fight sleep so fiercely and with such determination for the simple reason that you know that you are my sunshine.  I miss you when you sleep... its like the sun has gone behind a cloud.  But sometimes when I creep into your room, I can see the golden beauty of your dreams cast upon your face and I feel my soul being dipped in glittering light.

Finally you are quiet... peace descends around us like falling snow.  Off you go, my little boy... sleep the sleep of an exhausted angel.

x

Image from here

Happy Half Birthday

Dear Monkey,

You are six months old today my gorgeous, chubby, funny little man.  Six roller-coaster months filled with crazy amounts of happiness and the odd moment of utter, tearful despair.  You arrived in our lives looking like a little forest creature who had lost his way in the woods... you belong with the pixies and the elves my blue-eyed boy... you belong in the pages of a storybook.

From a mewling newborn, with funny feet and a single curl, you have grown into the most enchanting baby who sings to the dolphins from his cot in the mornings.  Your laugh is like hearing my own heart speak and your little hands wrapped around my neck are a rope to heaven.  

You love custard more than life itself and nearly fell out of your highchair in your quest for more.  You don't like carrot or cottage cheese, particularly when mixed together!  Your favourite toy is Zippy the blue elephant whom you cuddle in the night when you are all alone and trying to learn to sleep on your own.  You have just mastered snake slithering and show off ALL the time.  You like to stroke my face while you drink your bottle.  You also like to pull my hair which hurts!

I can't imagine my life without you in it.  Part of my own heart lives in your heart and will do so forever. Happy half birthday little Leo Steyn.

x

Favourite Monkey Moments....