Standing strong, Cruising along and Party times

This month Daniel has continued to enjoy moving around, how ever he can. On the 6th July he started to have a go at standing on his own, without holding anything. He can do it when he is distracted, but as soon as you draw his attention to the fact that he is standing, he sits down or holds onto something.

On a Saturday morning when James let me sleep in while he looked after Daniel, he taught him a new skill - how to blow kisses. It is hit and miss as to when he wants to do it, but he is very cute when he chooses to blow you a kiss. He feels most comfortable doing it to Mummy and Daddy but can do it to others too.

We have spent a week at Kedron and Daniel was a champion during it. He slept pretty well at night - most of the time he went down without a fuss. He enjoyed looking at everyone there, although he was a little bit overwhelmed at times. He ate well and fed well. Lots of people commented on how happy he is which was lovely. It was hard letting him play as there weren't really any places for him to be let loose, without having to stop him getting into things. However, there was a big bench which he enjoyed using the cruise along and he got very good at doing it.

It has also been a time of birthday parties. On the 3rd of July we went around to Auntie Sue's place to surprise Grayma for her birthday. And what a surprise she got. She was very happy to have some lovely cuddles with Daniel and he was very good during it too.

 Then last Sunday we had a combined 1st birthday party for our Mothers' Group bubs. It was a lovely day, just perfect for a picnic in the park. Daniel and I headed from Kedron going the scenic route to extend his nap time to an hour. He then just sat there and watched everyone arrive and play with different toys.

The girls found it funny how he is so happy to sit and watch others. Eventually he started to go and interact with others, looking at their toys. He had no interest in his own toys. He enjoyed looking at Daniel's truck.

And even tried to push Edward along on it (which didn't go too well)

Lunch was his normal meal but he was quite keen to get into his mandarin.

We have also bought him a new waterbottle, one with a straw, because I am a bit concerned that he isn't drinking enough after dropping the morning feed. He is getting better at drinking it.

 After a bit more playing it was time for cake! Charlotte had worked long and hard on this amazing cake which the kids couldn't wait to get into.

We put them all on the ground with the cake and sang them 'happy birthday'.

Fortunately none of them got to it before it was cut, although Ebony tried very hard to get to it. When it was cut, we all understood why it took so long to make. It was an amazing rainbow cake!

Then just before Daniel and I headed back to camp we got a photo with all the mums and their bubs. 

 

 I have been very fortunate to have such a wonderful group of mums and bubs who I have been journeying with over this first year of being a mum. It is such a non-judgmental group, encouraging, supportive, understanding, funny, friendly group of people all from different backgrounds. They are people I gladly call friends and look forward to our bubs growing up and interacting together more.

Back at Kedron we went for an adventure to the city as an activity. The kids had to find answers to clues all around the city. Daniel and I went in to go and sit at the finishing point with James and the other directors. It was a cold and overcast day so I got to dress Daniel in his matching beanie and mittens - so cute!

 He enjoyed crawling around in the gazebo at Observatory Hill and playing with different people. Again, he was very good during the whole camp. It is nice to be home again though!