Miss K is no longer a passive newborn. She doesn’t always fall asleep after a feed or just wake famished for a feed. She has longer periods of alertness. Having just had three babies before K, you would think I would remember easily what I did with each of my children when they were at this age, but I struggle. My memory is not what it used to be. I wonder if my memory (as well as my figure) will ever recover. Although motherhood has brought along some unexpected (and unwanted) things into my life, motherhood has taught me this:

The opposite of play is not work. The opposite of play is depression. Play is an important part of being well for everyone; young and old.

Miss K at five months now is no longer a passive newborn and she has been hard at work playing.

She can hold her head up and turn it to hear our voices.

She can wave her hands and kick her feet when she gets excited.

She can grin. She can giggle. She can coo and drop that bottom lip and cry.

She can use her hands to reach out and pull in objects and place them to her mouth for further exploration.

I remember peekaboo. Babies love to see our faces.

I remember singing with actions. Older siblings also love to play along.

I remember tickle games are a sure chuckle.

I remember letting them have free play.

I remember watching out for tell tale signs of tiredness, (rubbing their eyes, yawning, jerky arm and feet movements and crying).

The opposite of play is not work. The opposite of play is depression. Play is an important part of being well for everyone; young and old.

I hope I never forget.

K: 5 months
May 2012