My little baby is growing up

A lot of things have happened recently that makes me think 'Daniel isn't my little baby anymore'. It's excited that that happening, but it is also a bit sad. At the end of last month Daniwl and I went for an adventure to Forbes footwear to get him some new shoes. He has been walking for around 6 weeks and that's a time when they suggest you get them proper shoes. We got both sandals and enclosed shoes. My oh my, I didn't realise how expensive kids shoes are. I know they are good for support and important to help him walk properly, but still. Daniel's shoes are the most expensive shoes I have ever bought! But he is pretty cute wearing them.

Exploring the outdoors in his sandals (yes, and socks - just to wear them in)

Exercising his enclosed shoes.

 He had some fun with Daddy on the front lawn. It was gorgeous to watch the boys playing together. Daniel just loves his Daddy.

My gorgeous boys

I just love this photo!

At swimming lessons we have been encouraging Daniel to blow bubbles, but he doesn't perform there. Last week he shook his head when Robina asked him to try blowing bubbles but then when we got home and he had his bath, he popped his face into the water and blew numerous bubbles. Such a clever boy. And he was very pleased with himself.

Daniel is loving any form of public transport (which Uncle Awesome would be proud of). When he sees a train, bus, truck, van, etc. he says 'choo choo'. I am trying to teach him that trains are the only one that make the choo choo sound, but that's ok. He is quite excited by them. Often the choo choo is followed by a wave and a kiss. Very friendly bubba.

Waving at a train

We were given Oscar's old bike and Daniel has seen it quite a few times in the study. He has tried to push it out of the room so we finally took him for his first bike ride. He loved it (although didn't show it in the photos) but it was a great time for him. He did really well with holding the handlebars and kicking the pedals (his legs are too little to ride them around). 

Off on his first ride

Back home again and loved it (didn't want to get off it)

I really need to take him out for more riding adventures.

Another sign that our baby boy is growing up is that he is now forward facing in the car. We turned the seat around and he thoroughly enjoys looking at everything through the front window. 

I finally got around to purchasing some crayons for Daniel to use. He has done a few 'drawings' and is quite good with staying on the paper. I look forward to seeing how his drawings develop. 

With Poppy retiring, we now get to see him on Wednesdays with Nana. It's loved to see him hanging out with Daniel (and Mum hanging out with Daniel too). I just love this photo of Poppy and Daniel having a chat.

Last week we had a really hot day. I couldn't be bothered to fill up the paddle pool so instead filled up a bucket of water. We went outside to play with it using cups, spoons, brushes. He absolutely loved it (and got so wet). He stayed at the bucket for about 45mins (the longest he's sat still, besides when with food.

Filling up the cup

And pouring it all out

This is clearly thirsty work

Doing some water painting on the tiles

Fun times

Daniel has continued to love playing peek-a-boo. He will hide behind things and then come out and say 'boo'. He also hides behind his hands to play it.

He had fun playing it with Auntie Jenny too while on an adventure to an engagement party.

Auntie Jenny has also taught Daniel to say 'cheese' for photos. He is pretty cute when doing it.

Daniel has a few toys that are pull toys, designed with short strings (silly) so I managed to add a swans lanyard to them so that Daniel can pull the toys along. He thinks differently. He thinks you should wear it as a lanyard (fair call). So the trains get pulled around on his neck.

He also has taken to my baby cabbage patch doll, Christopher. It is pretty cute to watch him give Christopher cuddles and kisses. I just keep reminding him to be gentle - thinking that when Squeak comes along he will need to be gentle withhim/her.

Cuddles for Christopher

I have also been trying to help Daniel understand the idea that Squeak is growing in my tummy. Jenny had a shirt that has a picture of a baby watching an ipod in the stomach. She has given that shirt to me and I decided to wear it at home sometimes to help him get a bit of an idea that there is a baby in my tummy. I don't know how helpful it is, or how much it helps him understand it but still. It is worth a shot I guess. 

Where is Squeak? There!

The next video was taken first and Daniel was just being so cute and cheeky, wanting to see the camera and the video. I just had to post it. I just love his laugh :-)

The last photos of Daniel are of him putting money into his money box. He is so cute when putting it in. Slotting it in the space, pulling it out. Once it drops in, he does the action of 'where is it?'. It is a good skill for him to have.

Where has it gone?

The last photos are of growing Squeak bump. Still not too big a bump. Lots of people who have just found out have commented that I'm not that big for half way. Hopefully that continues. I like having my mobility and being able to bend down. Hehe.