Water Baby!

With up to 40 degree temperatures here in Sydney, there really has been nothing worth doing except getting in the water. I have been loving it!! Mum first took me in the pool at my friend from mother's group Charlie's house. Mum wasn't sure if I would like it, but what's not to like? It was like a giant bath, plus all my friends were there. Fantastic! Since then, we have been to the pools at Colloroy and Dee Why nearly every day.

Of course, not all my water experiences have been fun. I was having a wash in the laundry sink a few nights ago (saves Mum and Dad's backs!) when I slipped under the water. Daddy grabbed my arm but it slipped and I was under for about two seconds. Mum said it felt like a lifetime, which seems a little dramatic to me. Anyway, Dad pulled me right out of the water and tipped me upside down while Mum whacked my back. I don't know what they thought they were doing!! I was fine! Cold and dizzy from being upside down of course, but otherwise fine. I got back in the sink, gave them both a reassuring smile and got back to the business of sucking on the flannel. My parents can be very strange sometimes. The next night when I got in the sink there was a rubber mat under my bum. A bit uncomfortable, but hey, as long as there is a flannel to suck on, I don't mind what I have to endure.

To calm nerves and build confidence (Mum and Dad's, not mine!), we started swimming lessons today at the Brooke Withers Swim School. There were lots of kids in the pool, most of them with their daddies. Mum thinks it's nice that it's a 'Dad' thing to do, and I think so too. Our instructor, Rosemary, was very nice and liked to have a cuddle, but she also liked to push me and my new friends under the water! It was a bit bewildering, but I didn't mind it too much. Dad was a bit scared and tried to only pretend to put me under when he thought Rosemary wasn't looking, but she saw him and made him do it properly. He is such a scaredy-cat, but Rosemary and I made him feel brave and we did it a few times. Mum just sat on the side of the pool, taking 106 photos when she wasn't covering her eyes during the scary bits.

I am off for lunch and a nap now. I am exhausted!! All this swimming really takes it out of you.

Happy New Year!!!

Well, there is really no excuse for not writing for so long, except that I have been particularly busy, what with growing and developing this past month. But with a new year upon us, I resolve to blog regularly! I have lots of pictures and videos to share with you, so I hope that makes up for my negligence.

(See? Look how cute I am in this picture. Doesn't that just make you want to forgive me immediately?)

A while ago now, I made the amazing discovery that I can control things! If I kicked my legs in my bassinet (my old bed - I'm in the big cot in my own room now!), I could make my mobile move. If I swipe at my turtle toy hard enough, it sings a song. And if I cough like I am choking, Mum and Dad will pay attention to me. I can forsee lots of fun with that! I am now able to grab things nearby and pull them towards me (like Dad's teacup) and pass objects from one hand to another. Life is becoming so much more interesting!

I have been having lots of fun with Mum and Dad lately. We like to tickle each other and slobber on each others faces. OK, well, they tickle me, and I do the slobbering, but it's all good fun. We lie on the floor and laugh and joke around. I love it! We also do some serious stuff, like rolling. I am very good at rolling from my front to my back. I can get from my back to my front, but somehow manage to get my arm trapped every time. Very frustrating!

Recently, I have learned to sit up on my own. Mum and Dad have to stay close to me, because sometimes I am still a bit unsteady but I am getting pretty good at it. Lucky, too, as Mum bought me a highchair, which is much more comfortable if I am able to sit up! When I am in the highchair, Mum and Dad, and even Grandma, have been giving me some weird stuff which goes in my mouth. They said it's called 'food'. I am not sure what to do with it, but it is not unpleasant. In fact, I quite like it. Mainly I just move it around my mouth and stick my fingers in it. It's messy but fun!

Last week, we went on a plane again, this time to see Aunty Jodie and Uncle Sam in Brisbane. They had a great surprise for me: a cousin!!! She is called Josie and she is much littler than me, but apparently we are the same age and everyone seems very happy about that. I thought she was beautiful, but she didn't do much. She seemed to just sleep all the time. I think maybe she was tired from working a lot, because I heard her mummy say something about long labour. Anyway, I think we will be the best of friends soon.


While we were in Brisbane, we stayed in an apartment with Grandma and Grandad all week. It was great to go for walks with them every morning. One day, we also went to see Mum's aunty and uncle, Chris and Dave. Everyone kept saying 'merry Christmas', and wearing silly hats, I think to keep me entertained. The best thing was I was given lots of pretty paper to grab, tear and chew. It was a fun day.



Hope you are all well. Mum and Dad and I wish you a happy 2009. Keep checking the blog - I promise there will be more regular updates from now on.

Love,
Milly. xxx