Poor Jack has a nasty cold. He was a bit snuffly on Thursday and became much worse Thursday night. Today (Friday) he was miserable. He cried everytime he coughed. I hope after a big sleep tonight he feels better.
We had a quiet day at home so he could have a good rest.
Amy wanted me to take her photo this morning while she was eating a pancake. She was very happy about it!
Today we went to putt putt golf with Nanna, Ben and Ethan. Amy loved it! She had so much fun hitting the ball and trying to get it in the hole.
Ethan and Ben did really well and enjoyed exploring all the different holes. There was interesting characters and obstacles to overcome.
Jack stayed close to me and had a sleep in the carrier. He then had some cuddles with Nanna. He had very red cheeks today but they seem better tonight.
We had fun at the park on the weekend for a birthday party. Jack had a swing (he had never liked it before, he only liked his one at home). He was all smiles and enjoyed himself.
Amy liked going down the slide, head first, on her tummy.
We sang happy birthday and Amy enjoyed a cupcake. It was lovely to see friends and enjoy the day.
On Sunday, Michael put up a shade cloth outside. We had been brainstorming ideas for how to get more shade in our courtyard so we could spend more time out there. We had been using umbrellas but they weren't a very safe option as even a light wind could tip them over. We looked into more permanent solutions but they were far too expensive.
Shade cloth too the rescue! We initially dismissed the idea as we thought it might look strange being attached to the fence. We also thought that it might be too low at that point.
We are very happy with how it looks, and the shade it provides.
We also put up the baby gate in the kitchen again. Little Jack is moving faster and faster all the time.
Jack is 10 months old and loves to roll from back to belly.
Click here to see the video.
Today Amy and Jack enjoyed playing at home. We spent some time outside this morning, and the weather was beautiful. Amy and I made a 'wiggles beach party'. We added sand to a large tray and poured water up one end. Amy has some small wiggles figurines that we lay on the sand under some tiny umbrellas (that you use in cocktails). Amy made the wiggles swim and had fun with them. She washed them with her in the bath tonight.
I made Amy some 'chips' this afternoon. It's just flat bread (mountain bread brand), that I cut into triangles and put in the oven for 5 minutes until they went crispy. She loved them!
Jack has been moving all over the place. He is getting even faster. I have to watch him more closely now. He was able to get onto his hands and knees today a few times. He liked looking at himself in the mirror while he was playing in his activity centre.
Jack had fun playing with a nappy box today. First, I sat him inside it and pushed him around the room. He thought that was pretty good. Then he sat next to the box and played with it, banging it with his hands. We put some toys inside and he was amused for quite a while!
He moved his way over to the back door and sat there with his hands on the glass, laughing. Funny little guy!
He was moving even faster today. He was also trying to pull himself up on things.
Amy did very well using the toilet at day care. She didn't have any accidents and her teachers said she was very independent. Yay!
Suddenly we have a girl who is using the toilet (not just the potty) and a baby boy who wants to move everywhere! These kids are growing up fast!
I look Amy to swimming lessons this morning while Michael stayed home with Jack. She does really well, and we love her instructor, Martina. Amy is the only one in the class, so she gets one-on-one attention. Martina told me today that she has been doing a lot of things they do in the 3 year old class as she felt Amy was ready for it. It's great having a private lesson every week!
While we were there, Amy was happy to use the toilet. She also played in the baby/toddler pool and had so much fun running under the water jets.
She had a great day with the toilet training. She used both the toilet and the potty and didn't have any accidents. She completed her sticker chart, and received her prize! A little kitchen mixer and a light up bouncy ball. She loved them both and was very excited. She has started a new chart now.
Jack spend the day sliding around the living room on his tummy. He was very quiet and busy, exploring interesting corners, turning over plastic chairs, and chasing after toys. Amy liked watching him move towards toys that she placed out of his reach.
Amy and Michael did some craft. Amy loves using the glue so they made a sheep. Amy said that "Nanna/Nana will like it". I'm not sure which Nanna/Nana she meant.
Day 3 and success! Amy has almost competed her sticker chart. When she does, she will get a prize. She is very excited about it. It's been a very positive experience so far. Here is a photo of her sticker chart, as well as the book we have been reading with her.
Amy was drawing on her chalkboard today. She drew what looked like a face. I asked her what it was and she said it was Nanna Puppies. She then gave Nanna some hair and went on to draw "Daddy with a crazy face!".
Nanna is the drawing on the left/top.
Day 2 of toilet training went very well. Amy has requested nappies back a few times, but we keep saying how proud we are of her, and that nappies are just for sleeping. I think she is missing the security of the nappies, and getting used to the feeling of undies.
The sticker rewards are working very well, and she is smiling so much. She is very proud of herself.
Amy wore undies all day today! She did really well, and Michael and I are very proud of her.
We have been talking a lot about the potty and giving up nappies for many months. Yesterday Michael found a great toilet training book for Amy to read with us. It talks about how big girls wear undies and use the toilet. She responded to it very well. It comes with a sticker reward system, which has been very positive.
She has loved all the extra attention today, and is beaming with pride.
We hope she is as keen tomorrow to continue wearing undies. We are spending a few days at home to practice lots before going out again.
Jack loves the new play area outside.
He moves more and more every day. He gets stuck in interesting places now. I'm hoping he will crawl in the next month, before he starts day care. This will give him a lot more independece which is great in a group setting.
He was holding his bottle all by himself today. Growing up! He loves getting Lego (duplo) out of the storage container as it makes a great noise. He made a big mess while I was bathing Amy tonight.
Tonight we were all having dinner together. We always talk, laugh and sing while we eat. This keeps dinner time nice and relaxed and enjoyable. I was singing a Wiggles song to Amy and she interrupted me:
Amy: "Mummy, stop singing. We don't sing songs at dinner time."
Jack was enjoying corn on the cob. His top teeth have been bothering him a bit. The right one has just cut through and the left one is starting to as well.
Amy wanted me to take her photo "with purple puppy" last night. Her hair is getting so long but she said she doesn't want to have a hair cut.
She loves this new puzzle I bought for her. It looks like tetris. She likes putting the pieces together and also grouping them into colours. She has also been drawing with stencils and was proud when she wrote the number '3'.
Jack loves this toy train. It moves by itself when the button is pressed.
He moves even more on his bottom now. He managed to get to the TV unit and started playing with the x box.
