Little Legs

Something Little Bear has done since before he was born is kick. He kicked like crazy in the womb, keeping his mum up at night. He kicked the day he was born (and did little else). When eating, at least 1 little leg is waving around. When he lies on his back to play, he's kicking. If you want to make him giggle, just shake his legs around.

He'll kick you in the stomach (or the eye as happened this morning) if you lean over him, and role over and push his body forward with yet more kicks. Trying to get him to take a nap is essentially a struggle to stop him kicking for long enough for him fall asleep. And we shouldn't go into the dangers of changing a nappy...

So if you're expecting and the baby's kicking a lot, be aware he might carry on when he's out...

He also loves bouncing like any baby. So the other day we bought him this hopping thing (above). It's his wildest dream come true. Every time he kicks, he bounces to accompanying music and rattles. What! Kick and bounce! and music as well! Don't know if it works for all babies but it works for this guy.

​Speaking to other parents their babies don't seem quite as obsessed with the kicking. Maybe the kicking obsession is part of his little personality? Maybe he'll be a premier-league footballer, a champion kick-boxer, or a marathon winner (or maybe love hiking with Pappa?). Whichever it is, he'll need to control those dangerous little legs at some point (in my eye!).

On Wednesday I found something that made his spasmodic kicking make so much more sense. My sister and I tool him swimming and it's like he became a fish.

His little kicks suddenly start to look like elegant frog strokes under the water. So much excitement from such a little guy! And so much concentration on splashing the water (and surprise every time he splashes himself in the face [every few seconds]).

So, maybe an Olympic swimmer? However old your kid is, I can't recommend getting them in the pool enough. ​