What's up Doc?

Happy 10th month birthday Nicolas!


At 9 months and 2 weeks, Oma first noticed a white slit in his gum, about to become his first lower central incisor. The second one's just appeared 2 days ago. They are so sharp! Might come in handy when I need to have some Sello tape cut out. I can't wait for his whole set of teeth to appear so he can eat more exciting stuff, but on the other hand I'm a bit apprehensive about losing this gummy smile of his.

3 days later, he waved bye-bye for the first time. First to Amanda, then to Aunty Babiche, then to Oma, even to a stranger at the supermarket. Categorically refused to wave to Mummy & Daddy though! Well, when I say wave, I meant this arm movement that these Asian lucky cats do.

Our little speed demon has discovered movement and the joys that come with it. Between crawling to Loki's water bowl, standing proudly, rocking back and forth while on the change table, driving his plastic car, cruising around his playpen and riding Daddy's shoulders, he doesn't spend much time lying on his back any more. I hope he doesn't end up a boy racer.




Most of the time he's quite happy just playing around the lounge while I work - sometimes happily munching on my socks. Must remember to introduce him to blue cheese.

I know I said I wasn't going to visit the Milestones webpage again, but I just had to. So here's what Nico can do so far:

• Waves goodbye. To anyone but Mummy and Daddy. Not waving hello yet, though he definitely knows when I'm saying hello to Naliah as he frantically looks around.
  
• Picks things up with pincer grasp (that would be with the finger and thumb). Favourite things to grasp are food and nostrils (mine, that is).
  
• Crawls well. Too well.
  
• Cruises. Cruising refers to walking around while holding onto furniture. Or people. Nico has gotten pretty good at it but still favours crawling as it gets him further faster.
  
• Says "dada" and "mama" to the right parent (is specific). I'm not convinced, but other people think that he does.
  
• Responds to name and understands "no". Yes he responds to his name, and he certainly is not showing any sign whatsoever of understanding 'no'. Maybe he's just ignoring it. Or maybe we just don't use this word.
  
• Indicates wants with gestures. Hmmm... I have managed to decipher the meaning of "Epp", which I think means "More food, now!". Nothing else. I've been trying to teach him NZ sign language (different from baby signing) using a book that Mike gave me, but I guess I need to be more consistent if I want it to sink in.
  
• Drinks from a cup. Sure, only if I want to create a mess!
  
• Stands alone for a couple of seconds

Crouching Tigger, wagging Dalmatian

Nico is 9 months, 1 week and 6 days old today.

I popped him in his Tigger costume and unleashed him on the floor. What a handful, he seems to be attracted to Loki's food and water bowls like a magnet, won't keep away from the pile of DVDs and is on the lookout for Naliah. I've resorted to attaching bells on his wrist so I know where he is at all times.




Random thought - I sure hope Loki didn't fart.

Freeeedom!!!

Tadpole is 9 months and 6 days old today.



The belly slither has become a proper crawl on Wednesday.


Incentive: apple & cinnamon muffins baked by Nic. Forget about Plunket's advice on putting his favourite toys in front of him, this baby is motivated by food! Time to baby-proof the house and put Loki's biscuits out of reach.


Soon I'll have two bums poking out from underneath the curtains (one spotty and wagging a tail), waiting for Daddy to come home.





These two are going to have lots of fun together when Nico grows up. Loki's registration tag already makes a great in-built rattle.

Hopefully that'll be the only prison bars Nico will ever hold.