Friends and Pools

Daniel and I have had a lovely week. Monday we got to hang out with James which was great. We love public holidays! Tuesday we went for a walk with my friend Shell which was lovely to catch up - it had been too long! Wednesday James worked from home so that was lovely to have him around inbetween working. Then Daniel and I went to visit Elise and Hannah and meet Ez's new little bub Penelope. She is so little and so beautiful! Just 2.5 weeks old.

Darling little Penelope

 It is crazy to think that Daniel used to be that little and sleep that much. So crazy. He now looks like a giant next to her.

It was so lovely to play with Hannah too. She was asleep when we arrived but when she woke up and came out, Daniel was so happy to see her. I love how he loves other bubs. They had a great time exploring together and pulling on each other's faces.

Hannah and Daniel hanging out on the grass

I'm keen to catch up more now they are interacting together (not that I wasn't before but it will be more fun for the bubs now). It is just so cute!

Another fun game which I have started playing with him is spinning around when holding him. It is gorgeous watching him giggle. (I hope it doesn't make you motion sick watching it).

Then this morning we had a funny moment where we were getting ready to go for a walk (something which I'm hoping to keep doing most mornings - I love the time outside, the time to myself, well sort of, and the fact that I'm exercising) Chilli decided that she wanted to join us.

It was so cute!

Then this afternoon because it was getting warm I decided that Daniel could try out his little paddle pool because he just loves the water so much. It was gorgeous watching him slash about. I think it's the first time that he has been smiling when splashing.

I think these videos are pretty cute. I hope you enjoy them :-) I just love his 'spashing' face that appears in the 2nd video. Such concentration.

He absolutely loved jumping in the water, splashing, kicking, just having a great time. He is such a cute bubba (I am biased I know).

Chasing, Catching, Slip and Sliding

It is hard to believe that Daniel is now 7 months old! He is still my little baby but after holiday a 3 month old yesterday he is not very little anymore!

He has continued to grow in confidence, increasing his speed and adventures when crawling. 
This was taken on the 21st so just a few days after his first crawling adventures.

He also he also continues to be adventurous. When we're in the loungeroom he has found the draws in the coffee table and loves to open and close them. (We are in the process of trying to find child proofing things to put on the doors and some draws).

He has also found that he can chase things. He started with chasing Chilli. He absolutely loves Chilli and is so curious about her. He loves watching her and when he 'pats' her, he loves grabbing a big bunch of fur. Chilli on the other hand isn't so much of a fan. She wasn't very interested in Daniel following her. 

Getting closer

Almost in reach

Chilli not interested

Keep on trying (she then left the room to get away)

We have also introduced Daniel to playing with balls. He loves chasing the ball (it's like playing with a slow dog sometimes by playing catch) 

He also loves to catch the ball. Apparently it's the funniest thing to do!

Daniel also loves to chase his cousin Oscar. He is still so drawn to him. Watches him all the time, chats with him (but Oscar can't translate for me as much as I ask him to). I can't wait for Daniel to become a bit faster to actually be able to follow Oscar around (although Oscar might not enjoy it). At the moment it's a novelty to get up close to Daniel and then when Daniel reaches for him to scream and run away. I hope that Daniel will stop dribbling so much as that is something that Oscar doesn't like. When he was leaving I asked if he wanted to give Daniel a cuddle, and Oscar said 'But Daniel might dribble on me'.

Going to say hi to Oscar

Getting closer

Hi :-)

Daniel also enjoyed hanging out with Auntie Jenny. He always loves having cuddles (as does Jenny).

One of the most precious moments is when we have to wake Daniel up from sleeping to go somewhere. James has had the special opportunity a few times this week for various reasons and it is just so adorable how Daniel snuggles in and stays asleep.

Pick-a-boo is another game that Daniel is loving at the moment. Oscar had a great time playing it with Daniel - standing behind the couch and then jumping up from behind it. James also played it by being out of sight and then popping out. Daniel wanted to see where James was hiding.

Daniel has started to be a big boy with his bath times now. On Wednesday he had his first time sitting up in the bath. It was a bit slippery but he loved being able to munch on his ducks.

Then yesterday he had a bath with Gracie after Australia Day fun. It was his first time sitting in the big bath. He loved munching on Gracie's toys (as did she). They were even kind enough to swap toys part way though.

Then today we went for a trip to get a bath gripper (the same at what Grace has) so that he can sit up in his bath at home. Then to celebrate he had a bath today.

Mmmm.. duck

Speaking about duck, Daniel is eating a lot more variety in his food. He now has:

for breakfast: nectarines, apples, pears, mango, banana (although he might have a reaction to banana. We are going to try it again tomorrow and see if the same reaction occurs - he got some spots on his face and a bad nappy rash).

for lunch: chicken, broccoli, cauliflower, potato, sweet potato, carrot, beans and yoghurt

for dinner: the same as above but instead of yoghurt he has rice cereal.

Of course he doesn't have all that at once, but a variety.

Not too sure about chicken, but kept opening his mouth for more

Very not sure about yoghurt but again, kept opening his mouth for more

Yesterday for Australia Day we went to the Carlton's for our annual bbq. It was a lovely day. We had yummy food, great company and fun slip'n'slides. Daniel did so well being social with many people. He enjoyed playing with Gracie's toys, he eventually slept well and he enjoyed playing on the slip'n'slide. He is such a water baby. Part of me wishes that we had a pool so that he could play in it a lot more. Oh well. We will make use of Malcolm and Julie's when in Hervey Bay, try to go to the beach more, play in the paddle pool from Mum and Dad and maybe go in next door to Mum and Dad's place sometimes.

First run

Checking out what is around him

Daniel loving it, Gracie not so sure

Then we moved to the paddle pool. Again Gracie wasn't too sure about it. We think it was too cold for her as she started to shiver. Daniel did the same but really didn't complain. He is such a timid boy.

It was lovely to see Daniel being more social yesterday both with other bubs but also with other adults. He really is a cute bubba! Crazy that it has been 7 months of having him about!

Sheer Determination

Today Daniel crawled the length of his play mat. And then back again! He was so determined!

The starting point

I was waving my drink bottle around and it was making a slushing sound. Daniel became intrigued and wanted to come and check it out.

 Part way he became distracted by toys around him. 

But then he continued on his merry way. Very focussed on making it to the water bottle that was now on the floor. 

And he made it! Clever boy (not so lucky mummy and daddy!) Sure it was slow but I'm pretty sure that it will speed up pretty quickly. 

After playing with the drink bottle for a bit, he then saw the mini car toy and decided to have a bit of fun pushing the car. He has the same taste as his Daddy.

Lying, Sitting, Standing

Since getting back from Old Bar Daniel has been a champ at sitting! He can balance himself for 15-30mins but still needs someone around to make sure that he doesn't fall on his face.

Sitting on his own while playing with a ball

He loved playing with this musical ball that used to belong to Oscar. It is a great distraction toy when he is getting a bit grumpy or unsettled for some reason.

He has also been able to sit and balance himself while picking up toys. He did this first when Nana and Poppy were watching him on Monday. Such a clever little boy! Of course he didn't want to perform for the camera so it is only a short video.

Because Daniel is becoming a bit more mobile (still only slowly and spontaneous) I have decided to get him used to the playpen for the mornings when I need to do washing/washing up/folding washing/etc. It will only be an occasional use thing. I have started to put him in it now so that when he is mobile he will be used to it and not get cranky about being putting it in there. He was ok in it but did get a bit cranky as the time went on. 

He isn't crying, he just blinked as I took the photo and then my battery died :-)

Daniel also loves standing. He still is very wobbly but he can hold his own weight if supported. Mum Nana and Poppy bought him a walker toy which also uses building blocks. We were just looking at it and Daniel enjoyed holding it, tasting the handle and playing with the blocks (or more eating the blocks).

Today for lunch I decided to try something a bit different at the start of his meal. As Daniel sometimes likes helping me feed him I decided he could try feeding himself for a little bit. I cut some beans in half and steamed them in the microwave for 5 minutes so they were nice and soft. I then put them in the freezer so they cooled down quickly. We started his lunch with the beans. He didn't like them being on the lid so quickly pushed them off. Then he slowly started to pick them up and put them into his mouth, squish them in his hands, and then throw them back down on the table (and occasionally the floor)

Mmmmm

 He ate a little bit of them, but then wanted me to put them in his mouth. With a couple of them he almost slurped them up, like spaghetti, so I needed to quickly grab then end and pull it back out because I didn't want him to choke on it. 

Then when there was a little bit of food left in his bowl and he was getting a bit grizzly because he was tired, I decided to see how he would go with being able to feel the food and if he would put it into his mouth. He loved putting his hands into the food, squishing it in his fingers, putting his fingers to his mouth, splatting it on the table. I am trying to make eating times more enjoyable for him (even though he does already enjoy food). Now to just work on him and drinking water and he really doesn't like it - pushing away the cup everytime.

Look at all that food on my hand

Just keep moving and Old Bar

Daniel just loves trying to move, until he gets very frustrated at knowing what he wants to do, but not being able to do it. Earlier in the week we were hanging out in the back room and Daniel decided to try and make a break for it.

 Daniel started next to where I am sitting and managed to roll, crawl, pull himself to where he is in the photo. Here is some of how he did it.

On Thursday Daniel and I went to pick up Nana and went for a drive up to Old Bar to see Grandma G and see if there were things we wanted from her apartment. Daniel did quite well with the drive. With about 20mins to go he started to crack it. We stopped to feed him and found that instead he had done a poo-explosion - no wonder why he was so upset. That would have been very uncomfortable! After a change he was much happier and was fine to finish the drive to the apartment we were staying in. 

Auntie Jenny and Oscar checking out the view with Daniel

Standing with Uncle Awesome

After a feed and hanging out with everyone Daniel went to bed and so did Oscar. We left Howie to look after the kids (who we planned to have sleep) and headed around to Grandma's place to see lots of packing happening. Jenny and I took it upon ourselves to look through the photo albums, categorizing them and choosing ones which we wanted to take. After a few hours we headed back to the apartment. Howie said that Daniel had slept through which was great to hear. Just before I went to bed I gave Daniel a feed and then he went back to sleep. He slept pretty well which was good (until 5am and then after another feed slept until 7am). 

On Friday we headed to see Great Grandma, Daniel's first visit with her. She was quite good which was great to see and Daniel was quite happy (even though he was tired). Grandma had some lovely cuddles with Daniel.

Grandma is very proud of her great-grandsons!

And the same as with Grayma and Granny we needed to have the obligatory photo of the 4 generations of Gower line.

We then had a tour of Grandma's place. It looks like a lovely place and that they look after her well which is good. Grandma was very proud to tell everyone that she was here with her great-grandsons, grand-daughters and grandson-in-law, son and daughter-in-law. 

After the tour we said goodbye to Grandma (and Daniel gave her a couple more smiles) 

and headed back up to her apartment for some food and then we hopped in the car and headed back home. Daniel again travelled well (this time sleeping for 2 hours) and only cracked it 30mins out from home. He quickly settled when back at home in a new nappy and with a big drink of milk. 
It was lovely to see Grandma G and to have Daniel meet her. I'm glad she was so excited to meet him and that he was so good with her.

Water fun, dinners and Enzo's time

On Thursday we decided to head to Wetside with Maddie and Jenny and one of her mother's group friends. This is a wonderful water park, and even better that it is free!
James had fun with Daniel in the water first.

 He didn't show much expression while in the water but he didn't complain either so I guess that's a positive. Maddie on the other hand clearly LOVES it! She was so happily running around in the water, enjoying splashing in it and having the little squirts come up at her feet. I can't wait for Daniel to be more mobile and for him to be able to run around in the water and enjoy it more. Jenny had fun holding him for a bit and so did I.

It was a really lovely day, even though it was a bit hot. James also enjoyed taking Maddie and Daniel for a run through the bigger part with the large fountain squirts which they sort of enjoyed.

That night James and I left Daniel with Malcolm and Julie to go have dinner on Fraser Island as it was our 4th Wedding Anniversary. After a big mix up with getting picked up (they thought we were going on Friday night) Malcolm drove us to the ferry and we went for a leisurely 45min trip across the water. We went for a lovely walk along the beach where we were fascinated by the solider crabs and how they moved back to their holes when they feel the vibrations of our feet. We had some fun chasing them before they hid.

We had another lovely sunset on the beach while we had drinks in the pier bar.

We then headed over to dinner. We hoped to have a seafood buffet dinner when we were booking it, however, they only do that on Saturdays so instead we had a 2 course dinner. James got an entree which we shared - salt and pepper squid and crocodile (delicious!) and a watermelon salad. It was very tasty, I think we would have been happy with just a larger meal of that! For mains we both got barramundi which was very generous serves and very yummy. Then after a bit of a break I got a dessert to share - chocolate parfait. This too was very tasty. All around a great meal and great company. A lovely way to celebrate 4 years of marriage with James. When we got back Daniel had been a little champion which was lovely to hear. Thanks to Malcolm and Julie for looking after our little man so we could go out.

Whilst we were in Hervey Bay, Daniel changed to being a tummy sleeper. Each time we put him down on his back, he would straight away roll over onto his side or tummy. He is so cute when sleeping!

Being up in Hervey Bay, Daniel got to spend some time with his Granny. As I have said before, it is so lovely that he gets to meet each of his great grandmas! So of course we had to get the 4 generations photo of Daniel with his Daddy, Nana J and Granny.

Centre of attention!

4 generations

He is also so lucky to have Aunties, Uncles and cousins who love him so much. It was really nice to spend so much time again with Jenny and Maddie and to also be able to see Ryan for a bit when he wasn't working.

I'm pretty sure that Daniel will miss his cousin, aunty, uncle, nana, boompa and granny. 

On Saturday morning we headed to Enzo's for our traditional last breakfast in Hervey Bay. It wasn't the best with regard to weather (drizzly, then overcast and warm) but it was nice food and company. Daniel enjoyed his cuddles with everyone and Maddie had fun playing with her train and car.

We then headed to the airport where Julie and Malcolm got in a few more cuddles and then it was onto the plane.

We are looking forward to seeing them again soon for Daniel's dedication and are hoping to head up later in the year. 

For the flight home Daniel was quite grizzly to start with. He fed well during take off and after repeating sides he eventually fell asleep for over and hour. I am so proud of him and how he handles flying. We then met Poppy at the carpark and headed home. It is nice to be back to routine, normal daylight savings time and his normal bed but we do miss seeing everyone in Hervey Bay.