Morgan Week 11

This week our (Margaret and Tony) visit to Hat Yai (Sunday pm to Thursday am) meant that we saw a little less of Morgan. We missed him and we like to think that he recognised us and was pleased to see us back.

He has developed a lovely smile, one that seems to beam out, sometimes unexpectedly. It is, in fact a form of laughter, as it is significantly different from the quiet smile one sees when he is sleeping or quietly lying on his own. This is evidence, once more, of his expanding range of expressions. When lying and looking at his cot toys, posters or the mobiles he seems to be genuinely preoccupied and varies his expressions as he looks at them. (J: He has, since he was about 2 months, been sucking his one fist and twirling his hair with the other while engrossed with the posters. Occasionally when he gets suitably excited, he would kick one leg agitatedly.)

It is good that he simply lies and looks – it could help develop the capacity for occupying oneself on one’s own which is important. Huw had this quality as a child and youngster and it is a key to being comfortable in one’s own company.

Morgan continues to respond well to stimulation. The mobiles still hold his attention even when presented en masse. In fact he increasingly seems to distinguish the illustrations one from another. He is particularly attracted to Milfred the Monkey! He seems fascinated with the book Peedie the gosling. The colours are well contrasted, the pictures small and clear and his reaction to them shows quite a degree of excitement at times. (J: I think it is the level of detail and the amount of focus he has to give to each of the pictures. Perhaps he is anxious to take it all in!)

He burbles at the pictures and the story read to him and his face shows quite a range of expressions. Similarly, he seems to like the llama story with its alliteration and sharper distinctive shapes and colours. The book about the tiger does not make anywhere near as great an impact, possibly because the pictures are much more diffuse and the colours more subtle and blended.

The morning parade of his cot companions is bringing out good responses. He also follows your finger when the different shapes and objects are pointed out on the mural on the wall by his cot. At times he seems to be striving to communicate but does not show any frustration. Up to now he has cried to show that he is hungry. Now he sometimes gives out a distinct yell, not a crying sound, demanding instead of crying for his food. (J: However, when he does get really hungry, he cries bitterly to show his anguish.)

He seems to accept the music and likes the Welsh songs sung by Margaret. Rowena’s singing of lullabies in Tagalog/English accompanied by her dancing has a soporific effect and gets him off to sleep. (J: The furious patting of his bottom paired with vigorous swaying also lulls him to sleep.)