Up and About!

I am walking and on the move. Its so cool been able to get every so quickly, and making Mum and Dad chase after me. I also like trying to climb on everything, especially the couches.

Weve been going to the beach lots lately and I love eating all the sand and going for a swim in the waves with Dad. If we are at home, Mum turns on the sprinkler for me and I have heaps of fun playing and walking underneath it.

Yeah 5 more sleeps until Santa comes and 9 more sleeps before we got to Rarotonga. I cant wait!!

Ho Ho Ho!

My first photo with Santa. He was a little scary at first, I cried and didnt want to sit on Santas knee by myself, so mum had to sit down beside me. Only 20 sleeps until he comes to drop of presents with his reindeer. I think my christmas present for mum and dad will be walking, to keep them extra busy this summer.

On My Bike

Lately it has been so sunny and hot we have been playing outside lots. I love going for rides on my new bike that I got for my birthday from Aunty Rosie. I tried my first lemonade popsicle, but didnt like it that much because it was too cold.

Im still practising my walking and can only take a few steps before I get wobbly and go back to crawling.

My 1st Birthday

Me pulling my 'fish face' Porpor had to take this photo quickly because mum was stressing out!
Yummy chocolate cake Blowing out my candle
Everyone is singing and looking at me
The next day playing with all my cool new presents

Finally my mum has put my birthday photos on - (shes been busy?!) I had an awesome day with all my whanau and friends. Luckily the sun was shining, so everyone could sit outside on the grass, eat lots of yummy food and listen to my dads band playing.

My Aunty Maxine made my delectable chocolate Fish cake. Mum and Dad had to help me blow out my candle cause I got stage fright in front of everyone. But it was really cool because I got two songs, after my Happy Birthday song Dad got everyone to sing my favourite 'twinkle, twinkle' so I could do the star actions with my hands.

I tried to open my presents but it was too tricky, especially the big boxes, so mum and my cousins helped me I just liked ripping the wrapping paper. I was sooo spoilt and got lots and lots of awesome presents - toys, clothes, books, cards, bike, even an art easel. Thank you soo much!!

That night it was guy fawkes so we had a bon fire and crackers (yes I was still awake)

It was such a fun day, Mum and Dad cant believe Im already one - what an awesome year it has been!

Spring Time

Yeah spring is here and its getting a little bit warmer, so I have been playing outside more. At first I didnt like the grass and wouldnt crawl or move around. But now that Im used to it I like picking and eating it, especially the daisies. Mum even tried to get me to sniff the flowers in the Cherry Trees, but I didnt really like it. I do like holding onto the fence and patting River, our pet sheep .

I have started swimming lessons again with all my friends from coffee group. I'm a lot more confident this time and mum likes to making me swim under the water.

Im still not walking, but I like pulling up and walking along all the furniture.

Uncle Terrys 30th

On Saturday it was Uncle Terrys 30th Birthday. We went to Gengys restaurant to celebrate and ate lots of yummy food. It was so cool seeing all my Uncles and Aunties. Especially dressing up in 'island' theme, everyone looked so colourful in their shirts. I tried to stay up really late, but got too tired and fell asleep in dads arms.

Toothy Pegs!

I now have five toothey pegs, three at the top, two on the bottom and a couple on the way! Every night in the bath I brush them with my little toothbrush its very ticklish.

Aunty Rochelle

A few weeks ago I got to meet my Aunty Rochelle, she came home for a holiday from London. (my forgetful mum lost the camera for a few weeks). We had a great time playing, relaxing and reading stories at my place.

We then went and spent the day down at her farm in Te Aroha. I had so much fun looking at the baby pigs, calves, cows and playing at her house. She taught me and my mum lots about Dairy farms and when Im a big boy I will be drinking cows milk, I cant wait to go back again!

Me & Dada

Now that Mum has gone back to work for 2 days a week, I get to hang out with my dad more.

He looks after me one day and Porpor on the other day. We do lots of fun things, but I really like when he sings and plays the guitar because I get to play with the strings. Porpor likes taking me out, visiting people and shopping.

I also say dadadada lots, but mum keeps trying to teach me to say mum - one day soon hopefully. I also have four teeth now, 2 at the top and bottom they help me chew and bite. Everyone says I am a good eater because I love food, especially raisins, brocolli and cruskits with marmite.

Bon Voyage Aunty Becca!

Last Saturday I went to the airport to say goodbye to my Aunty Becca, shes gone on a big plane to London to do her OE. Now me and mum dont have anyone to annoy and we miss her heaps already. I dont know when she'll be back, but hopefully its not too long.

Kai Kai Time!

I love food! Especially now that I can pick up small pieces and chew.

I like all fruit and vegetables, but biting and sucking on bones is delectable. Porpor always gives me the biggest bones because they are my favourite.

Although I still dont have any teeth yet, hopefully they will be coming through soon.

I have also stopped doing my own caterpillar crawl and move around quickly crawling like other babies. My new trick is trying to pull myself up onto things. I'm still a bit wobbly but Dad keeps telling me I have strong Jonah legs and he has been helping me stand up.

Crawling Caterpillar

I am now 'on the move.' But I have my own crawling technique - the caterpillar, I can move quickly to get places but my tummy goes on the floor in between the up and down movements. Mum and Dad have been busy moving all the fun things to play with and making the house 'baby safe.' Its easier crawling with no nappies and pants on, although Mum and Dad have also had to clean up a few mistakes on the carpet.

I really like chasing after our cat Billy and dog Joey, although they both dont like hanging around me much. I think its because I like pulling their fur and tales. Mum is trying to teach me to pat nice but its not as fun.

I had my last swimming lesson today, and got my first ribbon for passing the - Aqua Totz class. Im going to have a break next term because I have had a few colds and a runny nose so Mum said I can start back in the summer.

Playing

Everyone always asks my mum what we do everyday. We are always very busy and the day goes fast. So when mum is busy cleaning up after me and my dad, or cooking our tea I like to play with all my different toys, here are some of my favourites. Everything I pick up or hold in my hands I like to taste and so it goes straight into my mouth - yum yum.

I still dont have any teeth to bite on anything but mum says my gums are very strong.

I can move quickly around the kitchen in my walky and like looking in all the cupboards. I also have lots of energy now, because I have 3 meals a day and like eating fruit snacks and rusks in between.

Me and Teddy

After a busy morning of sleeping, swimming and eating I was having some mat time with my cool All Blacks bear. Uncle Teuihau brought this for me when I was only 1 week old, but now that I am a big boy I like playing with him (grabbing and chewing.) Mum thinks my first teeth will be coming soon, because I like biting on everything and have been dribbling lots.

At swimming lessons this morning, I put my head right under the water, I liked it and didnt cry so dad helped me do it a few times.

Swimming Lesson

I have just started going to swimming lessons, every Tuesday at the Pukekohe Rec centre . My dad takes me and it is so much fun, especially because he is the only dad and he likes making lots of jokes, sing the loudest and make all the mums laugh. I havent put my head under yet, but my teacher says that I am very good and so relaxed so we will start doing that next week. My favourite game is when we sing "I'm a little starfish" and we have to swim and pick up all the floating toys.

Jumping Jolly

I love bouncing in my jumping jolly, here I am in mid air trying to touch the sky. I am getting very good and bounce really high. I have also just started eating solid foods, although not very much, I like kumara and baby rice the most.

Bluff

This is me at the bottom of the South Island with my crazy Aunties. We had just spent an awesome few days with the Lambourne family at my cousin Catherines wedding at Monowai in the Fiordlands. It was my very first plane ride down to Queenstown and I was very good, my ears didnt hurt and I had lots of chinese tourists to look at and entertain me.

Bed Time!

I am now 4 and 1/2 months old, and very clever because I can now roll from my back onto my stomach. I dont like to keep still and like to wriggle and move lots now, mum says I will be crawling soon. Here I am in my pyjamas, lying in my cot getting ready for bed, Goodnight!

Splish Splash!

I am having my first swim in my togs at Omaru Bay. Me, Dad, Mum and Popor had a great time at the beach because it was so sunny and hot and the water was warm.

Even though my togs are for a 6mth baby they are a little tight on me, because Im growing like a mushroom and I wont be able to fit them for much longer.

Meeting Mama Teokotai

Here I am meeting Mama Teokotai for the very first time. And beside me is my cousin Munokoa who loves giving me lots of cuddles. My dad was very happy I got to meet his Nana who raised him, because she is only here for a while until she goes back to Rakahanga.

My Chair

Here I am in my little chair, while I wait for my bath to run. Now that I am starting to roll, I cant be left up high anymore. I am just getting better now from my chest infection, I had a really bad cough (mum said it was like a tractor in my chest) so I have been staying indoors and not doing much. Im so glad I dont have to take the yucky medicine anymore. I have also started sticking my tongue out, holding my hands together and nearly sleeping through the whole night.

Tummy Time!

Mum makes me practice my tummy time everyday so my neck muscles get stronger. Here I am practising lying on my dad, he makes it funny because he makes me laugh with his funny faces.
I am smiling and giggling more now that I am 11 weeks old. I have also discovered sucking my thumb and fingers, but mum hopes this habit doesnt stay, but I like it.

Day at the Beach!

Kia Orana! this is me having my first little swim at Whiritoa Beach Estuary. We went on day trip to visit the Walkers. The day was really hot, but the water was a bit cold so mum only let me dip my toes in. It was fun, I liked looking at all the water, especially when Porpor was making it splash.

Aunty Pipi

My Aunty Pipi gave me and my mum a nice suprise visit from London before xmas. It was so cool meeting her, she is really funny and loved giving me lots of cuddles. I had heaps of fun at her house especially doing my favourite 'kick time' with no nappies on. Mum and I loved hanging out with her again and we are sad that she has already gone back because next time she sees me I will be a big boy.

Day Trips!

This is me with all my goregous Aunties, celebrating Aunty Anna and Uncle Sams engagment in Hamilton. We had a great day and it was fun meeting Aunty Anna and her family.
Ive also been spending time with Aunty Kelly and Uncle Angus who also came home for a holiday. Me, Mum and Dad had an awesome day with them at their place in Sandspit. It was my first big day trip away. It was funny trying to watch dad snorkel at Goat Island, while me mum and Aunty Kelly sunbathed on the beach.
Now all my overseas Aunties have gone back, butI cant wait until they come and visit again because I will be able to walk and talk!