Thursday, June 30, 2005
I am six months old today and I would like to thank Mum and Dad for looking after me so well. I have learned so much since I was born and when we look back at the photos we can see how much I have grown too. I now weigh 7.64kg. I am now holding and sucking my toes frequently, particularly in the bath! I can reach out and grab toys, the rubber ducky in the bath, the mobile above my change table and anything left dangling near me! I can pick up anything left near me on the mat, so I can entertain myself for quite a while as long as they don't all roll away. I can reach out to grab toys while I am held sitting up or lying on my tummy, but I have to admit I'm getting a bit lazy at tummy time and I often end up with my head on the floor, sucking my thumb! I am a keen thumbsucker and use it to fall off to sleep, at least Mum and Dad don't have to worry about me losing a dummy because I always have my thumb handy!
I now face forwards in my car seat and last night Mum and Dad said they thought I was teething -again!! (They've said it many times but I have no teeth yet!) I haven't done too well eating solids this week despite my promising start. I lower my head, shut my mouth and turn my head away to give Mum the message. If she does manage to get the odd spoonful into my mouth I can spit it back out and make nasty faces to show her that I just don't want it! I like snuggling up with Mum to breastfeed so I think I'll just stick with that for a while!
Mum is happy that she has lost all the 20kg she gained while I was in her tummy and she now weighs less than Dad! Her hair has also stopped falling out at a rapid rate which she is very relieved about, and most of her aches and pains - sore wrists, neck, back etc seem to have gone too. Mum and I enjoy our days, we get together with my peers at the Mothers group each Tuesday, sometimes go to the Open House group at SJOG Hospital on Wednesdays and generally fill our days doing 'stuff' at home but I can ride in the shopping trolley when Mum needs to go to the supermarket too. I like riding in the pram and Mum often goes for a walk with me, I don't fall asleep in the pram as often as I used to but I enjoy looking about and seeing things going by.
I'm always happy when Dad comes home from work. This is usually around my bath time and he sometimes distracts me from my last feed so Mum has to send him to his room while I feed quietly and then I can have a big cuddle with Dad and a bedtime story before I go to bed. Six months on and Mum never got that pedicure (she had an appointment for one on 31 December but I decided to come along) but at least she can bend over to cut her own toenails now!
I now face forwards in my car seat and last night Mum and Dad said they thought I was teething -again!! (They've said it many times but I have no teeth yet!) I haven't done too well eating solids this week despite my promising start. I lower my head, shut my mouth and turn my head away to give Mum the message. If she does manage to get the odd spoonful into my mouth I can spit it back out and make nasty faces to show her that I just don't want it! I like snuggling up with Mum to breastfeed so I think I'll just stick with that for a while!
Mum is happy that she has lost all the 20kg she gained while I was in her tummy and she now weighs less than Dad! Her hair has also stopped falling out at a rapid rate which she is very relieved about, and most of her aches and pains - sore wrists, neck, back etc seem to have gone too. Mum and I enjoy our days, we get together with my peers at the Mothers group each Tuesday, sometimes go to the Open House group at SJOG Hospital on Wednesdays and generally fill our days doing 'stuff' at home but I can ride in the shopping trolley when Mum needs to go to the supermarket too. I like riding in the pram and Mum often goes for a walk with me, I don't fall asleep in the pram as often as I used to but I enjoy looking about and seeing things going by.
I'm always happy when Dad comes home from work. This is usually around my bath time and he sometimes distracts me from my last feed so Mum has to send him to his room while I feed quietly and then I can have a big cuddle with Dad and a bedtime story before I go to bed. Six months on and Mum never got that pedicure (she had an appointment for one on 31 December but I decided to come along) but at least she can bend over to cut her own toenails now!
Monday, June 27, 2005
Despite my keen start with the rice cereal yesterday, today Mum should have had her camera ready because I made some funny faces to try and tell her that I didn't feel like eating it today. In the end, she saw how much was sliding down my chin and I think she felt sorry for me. It made her think back to when she was made to eat porridge when she was a little girl (it still makes her reach!) so we tried again later and it tasted good then! Tonight I saw Mum reading a book about introducing solids for babies, so I hope its not long before she adds some pumpkin or something else with a bit of flavour!
Today it was sunny and warm. Mum lay me on a towel on the back lawn in the shade while she raked up the leaves and put them into the compost bin. Mum and Dad were a bit worried that I have been cold at night so they have started putting me in a long sleeved fleecey sleeping bag to sleep at night now. Its nice and snug and seems to be doing the trick so far!
Today it was sunny and warm. Mum lay me on a towel on the back lawn in the shade while she raked up the leaves and put them into the compost bin. Mum and Dad were a bit worried that I have been cold at night so they have started putting me in a long sleeved fleecey sleeping bag to sleep at night now. Its nice and snug and seems to be doing the trick so far!
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Dad went to play golf this morning and Mum and I stayed home and ripped into the packet of rice cereal which has been waiting patiently in the pantry! Since Dad wasn't there, Mum set up the camera to video the occasion in case I made any weird faces or threw it all up. I ate a few spoonfuls and in the end, the only thing to capture for the record was my enthusiasm and me learning the right shape to open my mouth ready for the next spoonful!
It was a beautiful sunny day so Mum washed my grobag and hung it out to dry on the washing line with all the other clean clothes. Dad came home from golf bearing goodies from a patisserie near the golf course so we headed down to City Beach for a picnic lunch. We laid on the grass on our picnic blanket, Mum and Dad ate tomato, mozzarella and pumpkin quiches followed by citron tarts while I looked on longingly, wondering why I couldn't have a little corner now that I have proved that I can eat solids! We had a walk in the sunshine along to Floreat Beach, Mum and Dad decided it was too busy to bother with having a coffee so we walked back but I fell asleep en route so they sat in the sun until I woke up!
Later on Dad mixed me up some more rice cereal and fed it to me, this was even more successful because it wasn't so sloppy as this morning. Bring on the Tim Tams! Later in the afternoon, we drove to Ocean Reef to visit Marta and family. Marta bought me a book and some nice clothes and I was very popular, being passed around for cuddles from Marta, to Naiomi to Jamie and back again, I was a popular boy! Now that my car seat faces forward and since I am in the middle, I can see where we are going which was a bit scary on our first outing doing 100kph up the freeway. I was used to it on the way home and proved that despite it looking very uncomfortable, I can sleep with my neck at a very sharp angle!
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Mum and Dad had decided that today was the big day when I would start on solid food, but it got postponed since I was still a bit snuffly with my cold and Mum was busy tidying up and making soup for lunch (with a pumpkin from our own garden!) for Nanna and Poppa coming to visit. I was very pleased to see them after they've been away for a couple of weeks, Poppa has now officially retired from Canberra and they're looking for a unit to rent in Perth for 6 months. I spent a while performing some of my latest tricks to show them what I have been up to in the past couple of weeks. Nanna goo-ed and ga-ed over me as usual and Poppa waved my toys around for me so I perked up while they were here.
In the afternoon, Mum and Dad took me shopping to buy a new special seat for me to sit in when we go out in the car. It so happens, that the first one I reached out and held on to as we walked along the row of car seats in the shop, is the one which they decided to buy. It is red and black and looks quite racy in the back seat of the black hearse that we drive. Later on, Dad fitted it into the car and he fitted it in the middle of the back seat, I used to face backwards but now I face forwards like Mum and Dad.
In the afternoon, Mum and Dad took me shopping to buy a new special seat for me to sit in when we go out in the car. It so happens, that the first one I reached out and held on to as we walked along the row of car seats in the shop, is the one which they decided to buy. It is red and black and looks quite racy in the back seat of the black hearse that we drive. Later on, Dad fitted it into the car and he fitted it in the middle of the back seat, I used to face backwards but now I face forwards like Mum and Dad.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Looks like I got a little too close to my friend Campbell at yesterday's baby get-together because tonight I woke up at 9pm which is unusual for me and I was snuffling with a blocked nose. Mum fed me which helped me settle down to sleep again. I hope I feel OK again soon, I don't want to go to see the man in the long white coat again just yet.
Monday, June 20, 2005
This morning Mum and Dad took me to a 'First Signs' workshop which was for them to learn how to do sign language with me. I can hear perfectly well, but sign language is supposed to be good for us little people because we can control our hands and use signs before we are able to talk. We'll see how that goes! On our way home, Mum and I went to Ikea to buy me a high chair and various coloured things which Mum said are used to hold food and 3 long thin ones with a different shape on each end which are used to get food into my mouth. They look pretty but I am sure I could do a much better job if I just put the food straight in to my mouth with my little fingers!
Later, Mum took me to a place where we waited in a room with some other people and then a man in a white coat came out and called my name. Mum pushed my pram into his room and he shut the door, then Mum put me on the bed, undid my nappy and then man looked at my private parts! After we left his room, I saw Mum pay for the privilege as well! Later on Mum took me to the chemist and he gave me some cream to help with a rash I have down there, so I guess that's what it was all about!
While we were out, Mum bought me some shampoo to help with the cradle cap on my scalp and also a fleecey beanie to keep my head warm (and perhaps to cover my cradle cap in case the shampoo doesn't work?!) We were in a very cute but pricey babywear store in Claremont ("Perth's Finest Childrenswear Boutique" according to the receipt!) and Mum was oo-ing and ah-ing over the cute little outfits but then I reminded her that I am perfectly happy wearing the outfits which used to belong to Joshua and Samuel and that I really don't need any new outfits at the moment thank you (Dad would have been proud of me!)
Later, Mum took me to a place where we waited in a room with some other people and then a man in a white coat came out and called my name. Mum pushed my pram into his room and he shut the door, then Mum put me on the bed, undid my nappy and then man looked at my private parts! After we left his room, I saw Mum pay for the privilege as well! Later on Mum took me to the chemist and he gave me some cream to help with a rash I have down there, so I guess that's what it was all about!
While we were out, Mum bought me some shampoo to help with the cradle cap on my scalp and also a fleecey beanie to keep my head warm (and perhaps to cover my cradle cap in case the shampoo doesn't work?!) We were in a very cute but pricey babywear store in Claremont ("Perth's Finest Childrenswear Boutique" according to the receipt!) and Mum was oo-ing and ah-ing over the cute little outfits but then I reminded her that I am perfectly happy wearing the outfits which used to belong to Joshua and Samuel and that I really don't need any new outfits at the moment thank you (Dad would have been proud of me!)
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Looks like Dad took his surfboard for a ride to Mandurah and back without using it! There was lots more wind today so we all stayed snuggled up at the house instead of going surfing with Dad and we had a very leisurely start to the day. Later, we went for a walk along the beach path in the other direction to yesterday and then walked back along the streets past lots of houses. Mum and Dad tidied up Nanna's house, Mum wrote a note from me to say thank you for letting me sleep in her knicker drawer and then we drove back to our house.
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Dad spoke with Cathy and Craig who are also in Mandurah this weekend with Sam and Jake, and decided the weather was no good for surfing today. So after breakfast we went for a walk along the beachfront road to buy a newspaper at the shop and we kept walking and came home a different way, but the time we got home I was hungry again! I know you're all thinking that I'm doing very well to be walking at 6 months, but when I say walking I mean that Mum and Dad were walking and pushing me in my pram!
Mum and Dad cooked up a big pot of Jambalaya which is a Southern USA recipe which they learnt to cook at a cooking class they went to in New Orleans, only a few weeks before I was a glint in my Dad's eye!) The size of the pot was huge, so huge that Dad sat me in it, however I soon realised what this could mean and decided that I didn't really want to be photographed in there! Cathy, Craig, Sam, Jake and Melissa and Heather all came round for tea and I got to say hello and Heather played with me before I went to bed.
Mum and Dad cooked up a big pot of Jambalaya which is a Southern USA recipe which they learnt to cook at a cooking class they went to in New Orleans, only a few weeks before I was a glint in my Dad's eye!) The size of the pot was huge, so huge that Dad sat me in it, however I soon realised what this could mean and decided that I didn't really want to be photographed in there! Cathy, Craig, Sam, Jake and Melissa and Heather all came round for tea and I got to say hello and Heather played with me before I went to bed.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Dad worked from home today which was nice, I had a little more attention when I was on my play mat and I could look up at him. Mum was busy packing all our stuff again because we are going away to Mandurah for the weekend, yes again! It's good for me to be an adaptable little fellow so I don't mind where I sleep as long as I am warm and fed and my Mum and Dad are nearby. We were nearly ready to leave home and then Dad got out a big long silver bag and strapped it to the roof of the car, he said it was his surfboard. I hadn't seen it before and Mum said she hadn't seen it for over a year either!
Dad drove us to Mandurah and then he set up my portacot while Mum fed me. Nanna and Poppa are away in Canberra, this is their last time away there as Poppa is retiring. While they're away, we thought we'd stay at their house! Mum and Dad slept in the big bed upstairs and I slept in the walk in rode, also known as Nanna's knicker drawer, and very comfortable it was too! Mum and Dad slept with the curtains open, we could hear the sound of the waves crashing and lots of wind and rain too. During the night when Mum fed me, we could see the moon shining and reflecting in the sea and in the early morning Mum fed me again (yea I know, but I'm nearly six months old and Mum hasn't given me any solid food yet so I need to have milk more often than I used to) and we watched it getting light outside.
Dad drove us to Mandurah and then he set up my portacot while Mum fed me. Nanna and Poppa are away in Canberra, this is their last time away there as Poppa is retiring. While they're away, we thought we'd stay at their house! Mum and Dad slept in the big bed upstairs and I slept in the walk in rode, also known as Nanna's knicker drawer, and very comfortable it was too! Mum and Dad slept with the curtains open, we could hear the sound of the waves crashing and lots of wind and rain too. During the night when Mum fed me, we could see the moon shining and reflecting in the sea and in the early morning Mum fed me again (yea I know, but I'm nearly six months old and Mum hasn't given me any solid food yet so I need to have milk more often than I used to) and we watched it getting light outside.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
I've never been much of a fan of the dummy and my right thumb has become my comfort, it goes in when I am trying to get to sleep, when I am hungry or when Mum and Dad forget to leave some toys within reach for me to play with. But I must have been overdoing it a bit lately because my poor little right thumb has got very red and Mum is worried that the skin might blister and so she has been trying to discourage me from using it. However, my left thumb is just not the same and I am quite a persistent little fellow so I have kept on sucking it.
It came to a head today when Mum covered my right hand with a sock to try and give my thumb a rest. This was OK when I was awake (except that I couldn't play with my toys properly and Mum was worried that it might force me to become left handed!) but when I needed to sleep, it just wasn't possible without my beloved right thumb. Mum soon realised this and unleashed my right hand after which sleep came quickly. Then she sneaked in while I was asleep and smeared cream all over my thumb, it didn't seem to bother me and the thumb was licked clean by the time I woke up!
It came to a head today when Mum covered my right hand with a sock to try and give my thumb a rest. This was OK when I was awake (except that I couldn't play with my toys properly and Mum was worried that it might force me to become left handed!) but when I needed to sleep, it just wasn't possible without my beloved right thumb. Mum soon realised this and unleashed my right hand after which sleep came quickly. Then she sneaked in while I was asleep and smeared cream all over my thumb, it didn't seem to bother me and the thumb was licked clean by the time I woke up!
Monday, June 06, 2005
I had a few little episodes during the night, but we’re heading home today so I’m looking forward to being in my own cot again (and Mum and Dad are looking forward to having me sleeping in my next door bedroom!) We drove to Nanna and Poppa’s in Mandurah for lunch. I had a couple of hours of quality Nanna time before we joined all the traffic driving back to Perth, another opportunity for me to get some sleep!
Back at home, it was soon time for my bath. Tonight I discovered that if I use my left hand to hold behind the knee of my left leg, my foot appears very close to my face and is quite fascinating (in the meantime its quite handy for Mum to wash my bottom!) Dad rushed off to get the video camera to capture the moment!
Back at home, it was soon time for my bath. Tonight I discovered that if I use my left hand to hold behind the knee of my left leg, my foot appears very close to my face and is quite fascinating (in the meantime its quite handy for Mum to wash my bottom!) Dad rushed off to get the video camera to capture the moment!
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Despite being in yet another different bedroom and cot, I had a better nights sleep and so Mum and Dad slept better too (despite me sharing their room!) This morning we all drove to Margaret River to Mike’s parents place which is a beautiful stone house in the country which they built themselves. Jessica and Olivia stayed there while the rest of us drove to Leeuwin Estate for lunch!
We hadn’t really dressed up for the occasion, Mum had dressed me in a blue stripy top and yellow pants which weren’t particularly well coordinated, but at least they let me in to the restaurant! Everyone had a very nice lunch there, and since I was behaving myself so well they also ordered dessert. Anyway, after 3 hours I was getting to the end of my tether and luckily there were no more courses to eat so we left and I slept all the way back to Bunbury.
We hadn’t really dressed up for the occasion, Mum had dressed me in a blue stripy top and yellow pants which weren’t particularly well coordinated, but at least they let me in to the restaurant! Everyone had a very nice lunch there, and since I was behaving myself so well they also ordered dessert. Anyway, after 3 hours I was getting to the end of my tether and luckily there were no more courses to eat so we left and I slept all the way back to Bunbury.
Saturday, June 04, 2005
After lunch we drove to Yien and Mike’s house in Bunbury, I slept in the car on the way so that I was all perky when we got there. Jessica (age 4) got out lots of baby toys for me to play with, she loaded up the baby gym so that there were so many toys hanging over me that I didn’t know what to do except kick like crazy. Olivia (age 20 months) looked a bit concerned when Yien held me, she said “Baby off!!” because she wanted her Mum to herself!
In the late afternoon, we all went for a walk to the beach., Olivia waded through the puddles in the carpark and she and Jessica played in the sand dunes while Mum, Dad and I walked along the road by the beach at sunset. I spent the night in the portacot in Mum and Dad's bedroom and slept like a baby!
In the late afternoon, we all went for a walk to the beach., Olivia waded through the puddles in the carpark and she and Jessica played in the sand dunes while Mum, Dad and I walked along the road by the beach at sunset. I spent the night in the portacot in Mum and Dad's bedroom and slept like a baby!
Friday, June 03, 2005
This afternoon Mum and I posted Grandad's birthday present, its a desk photo frame with slots for about 10 photos on a stand, sort of like a ring binder on its side. And guess what, its all filled with photos of me!
Then we collected Dad from the Ophthalmic Surgeon’s after he had a cyst removed from his eyelid. He looked a bit strange afterwards because one of his eyes was covered, and he didn’t look very well so we all went home and he lay down to rest. Meanwhile I played in the lounge and kicked up a storm with my toys. When I am in the "tummy time" position, I can now reach out and grab toys to play with, as long as someone leaves them within arm's reach. While I was practising these skills, Mum packed up clothes for us all and everything for the weekend and then drove us all to Mandurah to stay the night at Nanna and Poppa’s house.
Then we collected Dad from the Ophthalmic Surgeon’s after he had a cyst removed from his eyelid. He looked a bit strange afterwards because one of his eyes was covered, and he didn’t look very well so we all went home and he lay down to rest. Meanwhile I played in the lounge and kicked up a storm with my toys. When I am in the "tummy time" position, I can now reach out and grab toys to play with, as long as someone leaves them within arm's reach. While I was practising these skills, Mum packed up clothes for us all and everything for the weekend and then drove us all to Mandurah to stay the night at Nanna and Poppa’s house.
