Chomp.

Pass the floss! He has a tooth! I have felt it more times than I've seen it. He's not one to show off his sharp, new chomper. I've managed to show a few people...after much head wrangling & dribbly fury. "A Toothy Peg!" said his Nanny. That made me giggle.

Cooper caught up with his cousins this week. He was feeling the love. The eldest one told Cooper he has a big head. The littlest one is completely enamoured with Cooper. Jett rushes to greet him, swooping in with "Awww!" & "Ohhhh!"...a bear hug is quickly established. Baby arms are wrapped around each other. Jett lays his head down on Cooper's chest, this is followed by a round of open mouthed kisses, planted wherever he can lay one. Cooper always looks a little startled but nothing deters Jett. It is the most gorgeous display of affection! Our laughter fills the room. I love my family! My heart soars when I think of the friendship these 2 little boys will share. Mates for life.

Ouch.

It happened.
Something I've been dreading.
Cooper had his first accident. Entirely my fault....a factor that made it all the more traumatic. I left him in his walker while I got dressed, foolish moron that I am.
He ventured on over to the gas HEATER....Oh My God. The scream hit me like a 1000 wild horses. The blood drained from my face as I sprinted to the lounge room. I knew right away. He was sitting right in front of the grille. Both his little hands were raised up, his face, oh man...he was screaming so much, he wasn't breathing.
I felt sick. I remember panicking, terribly. I whipped him out of the walker. I was saying "No! No! Nooooo!" I couldn't see where he was burnt... oh, mercy...there on his thumb & pointer finger! White hot marks! They progressed to blisters very quickly. I was lost in a whirlwind of worry, regret and awful guilt.
For about 2 hours he cried. Of course he did! My poor little baby! When he finally succumbed to his morning sleep I felt so relieved.
I sat on the lounge and bawled. Big heaving sobs! I couldn't believe I'd been so stupid. It could have been so much worse! The "what if's..." raced through my head. I rang my Mum. "Don't be too hard on yourself" she said sweetly. "He'll be alright, these things happen".
Yes, these things do happen! But it will never happen again!
I learnt my lesson at Cooper's expense. Now he looks at the heater with wide eyes. I shake my finger at the heater and say "Ouch. Hot. Uh-uh." He listens. And so do I. I know the months and years ahead will be filled with bumps, scratches & bruises. He's an inch from danger most of the day. Putting things in his mouth, rolling into furniture and pulling things off shelves (including a huge terracotta pot he lugged into his walker this week!)
It's all a part of growing and learning for Cooper. And it's all a part of being a Mummy for me. Let me soothe any hurt with cuddles and loving kisses. Here I am to dry the tears.
His and mine alike.