Being a first time mother I have taken to reading any material I can get my hands on relating to babies. I hear this reading obsession subsides as baby number two arrives and a mother with baby number three asks, “what is personal enjoyment reading again?”
So, I figure I have to educate myself as much as possible now before it’s too late.
After Mother’s Group one week we filed to collect the week’s reading material and I discovered a pamphlet listing the milestones children are to reach at specific ages; the first smile, teething, rolling, standing, walking…the list goes on.
Many of the mothers stared at the list, wide-eyed, fretting that their child was 6 weeks and 2 days and they had not yet smiled. Realistically these benchmarks should follow with an asterix to reassure parents that these milestones may be reached at this time: *give or take a few weeks or months!
Milla’s first smile milestone was wrought with an aggressive edge I had never experienced before. Everyone wanted the first smile and was working hard for it.
And so, the competition began – and I was up for it, gloves and all.
As the ‘primary carer’ I felt that it was only fair that I was awarded Milla’s first smile. After all, I’m the one who changes most of her pooey nappies, the one who is constantly exposing myself so she can feed, and let’s not forget, the one who is up at the wee hours of the morning changing, feeding and settling (Note: it is possible to sleep whilst standing).
Ok, I wouldn’t have cared so much if my husband was lucky enough to witness the beautiful, toothless grin…but I will admit, I still sabotaged his every attempt.
The grandparents were my greatest competitors. Somehow they have this incredible power of persuasion and an amazing cooing talent.
The day came when Milla turned exactly 6 weeks and I was feeling confident ‘the smile’ would present itself. That day a knock on the door sent us up the hallway and…
“Hello beautiful girl, haven’t you grown!” There it was…the big gummy grin, not for Mummy, Daddy nor Granna and Pa – but for the friendly neighbourhood postie!

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family by amy