Music baby

I made music for the first time today.

We visited grandma and grandad's house and grandad introduced me to the piano. He played a little tune and showed me how the keys work. I was a little hesitant at first but then jumped into it with gusto. I hit those keys and impressed everyone. Dad says we should record my next recital.

I like music. When dad turns on the stereo or cranks up some music on the computer I get a big grin. And he when he plays air guitar with me I laugh.

Two out of three aint bad

I've been entertaining mum and dad with a couple of new tricks.

As mum swooped in to pick me up today - something she does countless times every day - I lifted my arms up. Mum's impressed, she reckon's it's another example of me learning and responding to what's going on.

We had lots of extra pick-ups during the day to test out my new skill.

Speaking of new skills, dad has found a way for me to showcase my interactiveness. By blowing raspberries. He looks me in the eye, sticks his tongue out and makes a noise. I'll wait a moment, have a think, stick my tongue out, and blow a raspberry of my own. Laughs all round.

Now, there is another thing I started to do today which hasn't been met with much excitement at all. I started to whinge when mum left the room. More than once. I wasn't tired or hungry or uncomfortable either. Mum did explain the concept of 'separation anxiety' to me the other day, and how I shouldn't worry if I can't see her, cause she's still around. But it hasn't stopped me getting a little upset if she, or dad, leave the room - even for a few seconds. I usually have a great time playing with my toys by myself, so hopefully this part of today's activities was just a one-off...

Two sides to every story

Everywhere mum and dad take me I get praise for my perfect behaviour. People can't believe I could ever cause a stink (apart from my nappies) - I even managed to keep my reputation when we were away for four days over Christmas.

But when it's just the three of us, I feel comfortable enough to wind up. Today was one of those days. I had my 'whingy pants', as dad calls them, on.

Dad tried to capture photographic evidence of my inconsolable crying, but each time he clicked the shutter I didn't look distrssed at all. After all, I've got a reputation to maintain!

Clap your hands for more presents

I really like it when dad claps his hands. It makes me laugh. Dad's even got a little song he sometimes sings when he claps for me;

Clapping, clapping, clapping is fun

I like to clap with my dad and my mum

OK, it doesn't quite rhyme, but it does the job.

We got a parcel in the mail today, from the Tillers up north! New clothes - just what mum said I needed - some warmer duds that actually fit me! And a book! And I got another book from Teagan. And a phone toy from Grandma. You know the one, with a pull string and wheels and eyes and a dial that rings when you dial the numbers. The funny thing is, phones don't look like that anymore. But mum and dad told me that there was a time where they had to dial numbers using the round dial rather than punching buttons on a handset. Imagine that!

Home sweet home

I've had some really interesting sleeping habits during our four nights away. I woke up every two to three hours, but went back to sleep quite easily.

Dad had more of a late night role during the holiday, and he tried to reason with me while pacing up and down the room at three o'clock in the morning. It must have worked. He'd put me back in the cot, and pat my back until I stopped crying, and then he'd scoot back to bed while I was still awake. A move that would never work at home, but for some reason it did while we were away.

I didn't enjoy the trip home. I whinged. Enough to warrant an extra stop. At the fruit shops. We had a walk around, bought some mini tomatoes, and hopped back in the car.

I've been the center of attention for the last few days, but mum says it's good to be able to settle back into our routine, and our family of three.

Picnic

Today we had a picnic. My first picnic. And it rained.

Christmas day

My first Christmas.

We got up, and everyone was quite excited. We went to church and I was quite quiet! I did spend a good deal of time peering over mum's shoulder giving funny looks to the people behind us. And then when we met some of grandma and grandad's friends, I wrapped my hand around the man's finger and wouldn't let go!

I finally did let go, and we went home. Then it was time for presents!

I know it's a a cliche, but I really was more interested in the wrapping paper than the presents! And the gift tags! If you want to make a baby happy, give them a present with a big bright gift tag!

My booty included a fire truck and 11 hours of Thomas the tank engine. Aunty Lyndall gave that to me. Dad said it was to torture him! I got a bit tired towards the end of the present giving ceremony and burst into tears when I opened a parcel with a book inside. I really do like books. That book too.

Everyone fussed over me all day, and said sharing my first Christmas made theirs even more special.

Christmas Eve

All the ladies went shopping today, leaving three generations of men at home.

For most of the time we've been away, I've been handed back and forth from relative to relative. But this afternoon dad plonked me down on the loungeroom floor and I stayed put for more than an hour. Entertaining myself.

I stayed on my best behaviour. Impressing grandad, and relieving dad.

When mum got home she was pleased to hear I'd been a good boy, and she gave me a big hug - she said she missed mem even if it was just for a couple of hours.

Naming conventions

We spent the morning packing, the afternoon driving, and the evening reacquainting ourselves with my other grandma and grandad.

Mum and dad were pretty slow packers even before I came along. Throwing in a cot, high chair, and all the other paraphernalia I need, we were an hour behind our ETD.

I slept for most of the trip, and when I woke up I stayed calm, which was a big relief to mum and dad.

I hadn’t seen this grandma and grandad* since I was two months old. They were suitably impressed with my growth, and I impressed them even more with my rolling and sitting up tricks. Even if I dragged out the roll for as long as I could!

*With the hundreds of names kids use for grandparents, how I ended up with two grandmas and two grandads is beyond me.

Originally, mum wanted her parents to be called nanna and pop. Just like she had. Then, dad’s dad said he wouldn’t mind being a ’poppy’ because he really liked his poppy. But mum’s dad didn’t want to be a ‘pop’. And dad’s mum and dad went cold on the ‘poppy’ idea. The washup; I have two grandmas and two granddads.

Red faces

We didn't get a photo with Santa.

Dad had plans to get a t shirt, print 'Santa's Not Real' and let me wear it in a photo with the man in the red suit. He thought it would be brilliant. Mum thought we'd be run out of the shopping center by crazed mothers who don't appreciate irony. There's still tomorrow...

Today was all about visiting friends, having visitors, doing a bit of shopping, and watching dad mow the lawn. Oh, and trying to do a poo.

I've gone a couple of days without any rumbly butt action. In the old days that meant an eventual big explosive poo. But in these days of me eating more solid food, it just means big hard, and hard to get out poos!

I'm not that subtle when I'm doing one. My face goes bright red and I have a look of complete concentration. I sometimes even grab onto the side of the chair for support. And grunt. Mum gets quite concerned, cause she doesn't like to see me struggling, but I don't cry, so it can't be that bad. I did 5 of those today. Only small payloads each time, but enough to keep the change table the busiest part of the house today.

Christmas in early December

I love Christmas!

Not only are there presents, and wrapping paper to rip up and play with, there's lights. Lots of lights.

We went on a light tour tonight and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. As well as the standard 'Christmasy' themes we saw lights in the shape of the Eiffel Tower and a man with a surfboard. I can't remember those two things in the nativity story dad read to me...Maybe it's in the Really Amplified Bible!

We also had Christmas tea and shared gifts with grandma and grandad, nana and uncle Michael. I got into the swing of things pretty quickly. Ripping paper is a skill I've mastered. And the first present I opened was a big train from grandma and grandad. It was very exciting. And they were as excited as I was. In fact, I reckon the adults were a little more excited than me.

I scored all sorts of exciting things, including one of those red and blue round things you put the yellow shapes in. Just like mum and dad both had when they were little. Thanks uncle Dave and Aunty Lisa. Very cool.

We'll have even more Christmas fun on Christmas day. Mum and dad are very excited to share my first Christmas. Tomorrow we might even get a photo with Santa.

Shuffle time

I can almost do all the necessary moves for crawling. The problem is I can't really do them at the same time. I can get myself up on my knees. And I can definately hold my head and arms up. Just not at the same time.

Every now and then mum will give me a bit of a 'lesson', and hold me up to try all the moves at the same time, but I usually just giggle.

I have developed a bit of a backwards shuffle. It started on my change mat. Udually when dad tickles me. I plant both feet on the ground and arch my back, and end up shuffling a couple of centimetres.

Stating the obvious

Mum's been spending the day stating the obvious.

"Mummy's just going to put the washing on the line, I'll be back in a minute". "Mummy's off to the loo, I'll be back in a minute". Some babies my age develop a bit of 'separation anxiety' so mum's keen to explain what she's doing, so I won't get too upset.

"I'll just defrost your pumpkin". They reckon babies start to understand language soon so mum's keen to let me know exactly what's going on. Dad's been getting into the act too, so our house is sounding a little like a lifestyle program; "OK, so now I'm adding a little boiled water to the farex".

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go

It's a week to my first Christmas. That means lots of trips to the shops. We took the pram out yesterday but mum found it more of a hindrance than a help. Always bumping into things and not being able to overtake slow people easily, and getting in other people's way. Today we took the sling. Mum told dad there should be at least one day a week where prams are banned from shopping centres. Sounds controversial. He liked it. We don't use the pram all that often. My two slings are quite comfy, and allow mum to have her hands free. But the heavier I get, the more we'll probably have to resort to the pram. And then we'll be the ones getting in everyone elses roads!

As well as shopping we visited dad at work. We sometimes drop in to say hello, but today was the first time we stayed for lunch. I even got to sit on dad's knee at his desk. He showed me his computer and explained what he does, and I entertianed everyone with my best "ra ra's"

We left dad's office and headed off to visit grandma and grandad at their work.

When we got home I watched dad mow the lawn.

Outside

Dad and I have been spending little bit of time each afternoon on the front porch.

I find I get bored a lot more quickly inside, but outside I can sit quietly for half an hour just looking around.

Today fog started to roll down our street while we were watching. Dad hadn't even seen something like that before, so we're all learning!

What to wear

Mum and dad collected a few pieces of baby clothes before I was born. Usually things on sale. Things they thought looked 'cute'. And things they thought were 'cool'.

We pulled out one of those items today. A baby Ralph Lauren polo. I know. Very spiffy. A lady at church commented on it. We did get it on sale. We should clarify that. I don't want you thinking mum and dad are loony 'my baby must always dress in haute coutre' types. But I have to admit, this shirt looks a tad better than my Target clothes!

I don't wear brand name clothes all the time. We've already gone through the whole 'ninety bucks is crazy for baby sunglasses, even if they are Ray Bans', so there's definately a balance. But we all love the Country Road duds Mike and Ruth gave us. After all, life's way too short to wear daggy gear.

Did you know there are brands most grown ups have never heard of that specialise in tiny sizes, while keeping grown up prices? We never got into those specialist 'baby brands'. Dad reckons they're not as cool as when proper brands make things in baby sizes. He's worked out a scale of 'coolability'. It's way too silly to even share it with you here. The funny thing is, if he had his way I'd be wearing the singlet he made me everyday! And that's about as far away from 'brand name' as you can get!

Washing machines and cricket

I haven't watched much TV in my seven months. But there's one show I never miss. The washing machine show.

Mum does a load of washing most days (thanks to me and my super clothes-soiling abilities!) and she keeps me amused by parking me in my little chair, in front of the front loader. Who would have thought clothes tumbling could be so entertaining?

But not as entertaining as the cricket.

Dad and I sat down this evening and watched the cricket, and when he cheered I'd look at him with a big grin. I was supposed to be in bed. But it's much more exciting to be out where the action is. I'll probably forget this day, but dad says he won't - he thinks it was pretty special - him and me on the couch watching cricket for the very first time. I eventually fell asleep. And stayed asleep for 8 hours!

My ideal toy

I'm seven months old today. I've been around long enough to know what
I like. And if a toy maker gave me a job for designing the perfect toy, here's the features it'd include;

Mirrored bits. I love reflections. So if the toy could be made totally out of mirrors, it would be a bonus.

Shiny satin edges. I love the satin edging on the blanket on mum and dad's bed, and will always lunge for it when I'm allowed in the Big Bed.

Bouncy. For bouncing back to me when I drop it off the edge of my high chair.

Waterproof. For playing in the bath.

Safety tags. For some reason I love pulling and sucking on the warning tags on my toys. I have a toy bug with 6 legs and 4 plastic lugs, and the bit I spend the most time with is the safety tag! So my ideal toy would ditch the legs and lugs for ten safety tags!

Name; I would call it the 'ra ra'.

Now that's a toy worth playing with!

On banning rays and Ray Bans

Being an Aussie kid I'm going to be spending a lot of time outside. And if you're outside you need to wear sun protection. And that includes sunnies. I got my first pair this week.

Most baby sunglasses are brightly coloured ugly things an adult wouldn't consider wearing in a million years. Dad thought it would be cool to get some mini 'aviators'. You know, just like pilots wear. They always look good, and as long as Top Gun is cool, they'll always be cool.

We found some. The real deal. Ray Bans. My size. But with a grown up price tag. And that's where the problem lies. It's great to be able to dress kids in good looking stuff. But it's rather hard to justify spending 90 bucks on a pair of tiny sunglasses when both mum and dad's together didn't cost that much!

So I got some Baby Banz. They don't have arms. They have soft velcro straps to wrap right around my head. I smiled when I tried them on in the shop. If we had to get 'baby' looking glasses, we wanted to get them in a proper colour. And the only proper colour for sunnies is black. Unfortunately, the only colours they had in our local shop were pink and blue! How typical! Seeing we're spending more time outside, and because mum wants to take me for some walks, we decided to get them there and then. Function over fashion, right?

Mum and I gave them a test run this afternoon, and they stayed on. And they don't look too bad do they?

Last day of swimming

I had my last day of aqua play today. And to celebrate dad came along, he even got into the pool with me.

He wasn't quite up to speed on all the songs we sing, and the moves we do in the water, but I was. The first couple of times he went to put me under the water, we only got halfway. I think he was erring on the side of caution! Last week another dad did exactly the same thing with his little swimmer.

I didn't splash much at all today, but I did kick my legs when I was supposed to. I realy loved lying on my back an doing a bit of 'backstroke'.

Next year I'll graduate to 'mums and bubs' class, where we'll do all sorts of exciting things in the pool.

Waterboy

I'll be seven months this week, and with the hot weather we've beenstarting to get Mum thought it was time to get me used to my new sippy cup.

I've been playing with it empty for the past week or so and Mum and Dad did try to give me some milk in it the other day. But today I used it to have my first ever drink of water!

Mum took a swig first to show me how it was done and then it was my turn. After first having a chew on the spout, I actually managed to get some water out of it! But soon I'd had enough and decided it was much more fun to chew on the handle and toss my new sippy cup off the tray of my high chair.

Mmmmm, vegetables

I had the longest daytime sleep in a long time. Three and a half hours! It might have something to do with me being back in my proper cot, and not the portacot. The portacot isn't the most comfy bed.

In the time since we moved my co-ordination has gotten a lot better, and now I can grab and play with the bars on the cot. And roll around a lot more!

I also had my first taste of pre packaged baby food. Usually I eat mushed up fruit or veggies from the blender, but mum grabbed a can of baby food we scored in a baby 'show bag' we were given from our very first antenatal class. It contained 4 vegetables, including pumpkin. I didn't screw up my face at all. Not like the apple or pears. Dad tried a little bit and thought it was rather bland, but that's what we babies like. I'm sure when I'm older dad will remind me I loved veggies when I was little.

Hot pasta is funny

We did a spot of shopping today. I had a great time looking at all the bright things on the shelves. And trying to grab them. I ended up doing the best out of the trip to the shops. I scored a couple of new shirts, a pair of pants and some singlets.

When we got home mum and I were sitting on the couch in the loungeroom and she was eating some pasta. It was hot, so she blew on each spoonful before eating it. I thought it was hilarious, letting out a huge belly laugh. I've never laughed so hard before. I can't explain exactly what it so funny about someone cooling a spoonful of pasta, but it is.

Mum and dad got my proper cot from storage and built it in the spare room. We're all hoping for a good night's sleep.

You can see the world from here

I got a highchair today.

After six months of sitting in my rocker during meals, mum and dad thought it was about time I could sit up and see all the action on the top of the table. And I love it.

It folds down easily and we'll probably take it everywhere we go. Along with my rocker, pram and portacot, not to mention my nappy bag, toys and baby carriers. It's a wonder there's room for mum and dad in the car!

We tested the highchair at Anita's house. I stayed up as late as the adults did, outlasting a two year old and a four year old (ok, I did have a couple of power naps on various knees, but nothing too long). Everyone was quite impressed with my quietness and cuteness.

Coffee club

I love going out for coffee. We've been doing that a bit this week. Today I sat up on the couch at a coffee shop for nearly an hour and a half, quietly playing with my soft bug toy. For a nearly-seven-month-old that's quite an achievement. It impressed one of mum's long lost friends. It also impressed the couple sitting at a table near us, who kept looking over at me smiling. It even impressed the waitress, who called me a 'gorgeous little baby' more than once. And all that impressing surely impressed mum, whichis a very good thing because I'm still not sleeping through the night.

I'm trying my best to impress mum during the day, because at night I use up the goodwill pretty quickly! Dad got called in to help last night after I wouldn't settle. It took an hour. But come morning everyone forgets those little episodes when I smile and giggle and have a laugh eating my mushy apple stuff.

Photos and farex

We tried to take another family photo today. Same result as yesterday. Mum and dad noth laughed. Usually I love the camera, and will stare at it for each click of the shutter. So we've got another bunch of photos featuring the back of my head!

This week I've been having apple mixed with my Farex. It's not too bad. And we're all getting better at not making a mess. Mummy B tells us us she reared grandma on Farex. How about that. She didn't have a vibrating rocker though.

Mum and I went visiting today. I met another little baby. And I clonked my head on the wooden floor when I flopped backwards after sitting up. But it wasn't too bad, I think got more of a fright than anything. Usually when I do my sitting up exercices with dad I'm on the soft bed, so I guess it was a bit surprising the find a hard floor after sitting up. I think mum might sit me on soft furnishings for the next little while.

Poser

We tried to take some family photos this afternoon. For the Christmas cards. Unfortunately, one of us didn't want to co-operate!

I looked everywhere except where I was supposed to. And I got a little too distracted by the flowers behind us. so we moved, and I got distracted by the fruit in the trees. So we have nice photos of mum and dad smiling at the camera, and the back of my head!

My trip to the pool was a lot more successful. Yes, I splashed. Grandma and grandad came to watch me go through my paces, and were suitably impressed. I'm getting a lot better at going under the water.

I'm a sitter, not a sleeper

Our practicing has paid off and I'm now a ridgey didge sitter upperer.

6 minutes and 38 seconds. That's how long I sat up on the big bed until we all got bored.

I was wearing a short jumsuit with my legs exposed, which may be better than the full wondersuit I was wearing the other day. You know, for enchanced grip and balance. Whatever the reason, I'm quite chuffed, and usually wear a big grin when I'm sitting next to dad.

Everyone's hoping my next trick will be sleeping through the night. Last night was a bit of a doozy, leaving us all bleary eyed this morning.

Social butterfly

Dad joked that I have a busier social life than he does.

This week I'm out most days;

Monday - Mothers group. Mum met up with one of the mums from swimming lesson and it turns out she has her own mothers group for first time mums and their 'pre-walking' babies. A couple of the kids were born the same week as me! Mum says its great to be able to compare notes with other mums in the exact same situation as her. I think she breathed a sigh of relief when another mum announced that her 10 month old wasn't sleeping through the night. Surely I'll be by then...Of course, in true LLR fashion, the first get-together we attended was the last one of the year!

Tuesday - Playgroup. Most kids are a bit older than me and running about. The mums don't talk about the same things as the other group, probably because they're not all first timers.

Wednesday - Swimming. Everyone laughed at my splashing antics last week. I wonder what I'll do to entertain the crowd this time...

Thurdsay - Visiting. Mum caught up with an old uni friend, who happens to have a baby my age. No doubt there will be many stories shared of late nights and dirty nappies!

Friday - The only day in my week free. But there's plenty of time to fill it up. Poor dad, he goes to work, and we have all the fun.

I think I would have broken the 36 second sitting up record, but dad didn't have the stopwatch when we were playing this afternoon. Tomorrow we're aiming to crack the three-quarter of a minute mark! While we weren't timing sit-ups I impressed dad with a move very loosely related to a crawl. Very loosely. But I did move. About a centimetre. But still, a centimere's a centimetre. I seem to have the theory right, it's just a matter of co-ordinating my legs and arms, but at the moment I'm too busy impersonating gorillas and trying to beat my sitting up record to worry about crawling!

Carols

We went to carols by candlelight in the park. We only decided to go five minutes before it started, so by the time we got there there weren't too many good places to sit. We bumped into a friend and they let us share some of their family picnic rug. Sitting behind people on fold up chairs, we couldn't see a thing, or hear much for that matter becasue the sound system wasn't very loud, so the adults spent the night talking, and I jsut did my best to look cool in my crocodile tracksuit. I was quite tired and finally fell asleep as the last song was sung.

I woke up for the fireworks. They were great. I think mum and dad were wondering if I'd find the noise and the brightness a bit overwhelming, but I just stared and concentrated on the sky. They didn't need to worry, if there's one thing a Long Lived Rocker knows, it's that I love lights!

Sitting up

Dad and I had some sitting up practice today.

My best unassisted time was 36 seconds before I flopped backwards.

We used the big bed because it's quite soft, a lot softer than the hard wooden floors all through the house.

I would probably have sat up for a lot longer if it wasn't for the mirror on the wardrobe. It distracted me and inspired me to bring out the 'gorilla arms'. And that was enough to tip me off balance and topple over.

Dad would pull me back up and we'd start the stopwatch again.

It was good fun. And kept me, and dad, entertained for ages.