Birthday Beanie

Last weekend Max's Nanny and Aunty Bronwyn came down to Brisbane for the 40th anniversary of the Inala church where they used to go. Max and I went along to the celebrations as well to represent Cam since he was working and was unable to make it, much to his disappointment. We had a really good afternoon and Max loved it because there were so many people there to supply him with junk food and toys like balloons and cake servers. Another reaon he enjoyed the day was of course seeing his Nanny and Aunty.

They bought him an early birthday present, which he loves to wear and thinks is hilarious to have on his head.

Unfortunately we didnt catch any of his smiles on camera, but he loves me to put the beanie on his head and then laugh at himself in the mirror.

Hopefully he enjoys his other birthday presents tomorrow as much as this one!

It Seems Like Just A Year Ago....

A year ago yesterday on the 12th of July we were expecting the Peanut. We were all action stations. We had bags packed, cd's chosen, snacks ready to go, a special leaning mat thingy, a massager, togs and towel for me. We were committed to the mission and were ready for the long haul as you can see by the above list. We were ready for most eventualities. We had non gender specific clothing ready for the Peanut to come home in and everything. We did however forget to take newborn nappies as they don't supply them at the hospital.

But the Peanut was comfortable and as we know now the Peanut was not ready for another week. Jo was definitely ready for the arrival and started around this stage to actively encourage the baby into the world by drinking raspberry leaf tea and going on long walks around the suburb and I think was pretty much willing to try anything that would encourage the child into the world. The only thing that seem to end up encouraging the baby into the world was that the day after being born the baby was going to be induced ready or not.

It is amazing to think that the our world has changed so quickly in the last year. I am sure I will continue to reminisce during the week. If you can remember what we were like a year ago waiting for the birth please drop a comment. It will be interesting to see what you remember.

A week at Nanny and Poppy's house

Last week Cam was feeling very rundown and sick and was advised to take the week off work to help him to recover and get back on track. So instead of me looking after two Batkin boys by myself, we decided to spend the week up at Nanny and Poppy's house so that everyone could have a bit of a break.
This worked out really well, since Nanny got to spend lots of time with her littlest grandson. She and Max had a good time going for a walk to get the paper in the mornings, playing with various toys, visiting friends and neighbours and getting wet in the bath (Max loves to splash so everyone ends up getting wet!).


It was also a good opportunity for Max to practice walking from me to Nanny and back again. Max also loved spending time with his Poppy, and by the end of our visit he was always happy to see him around the house and showed it by clapping his hands, smiling and stealing Poppy's beanie.

Nanny and I had lots of fun playing cards and chatting when we weren't busy keeping Max happy. If it was fine we also had fun taknig Max to a couple of different playgrounds near their house, and on rainy days we went driving around the area and took Max out for coffee and playtime at Bunnings while Nanny got some gardening supplies. Daddy stayed at home and caught some much needed rest, so everyone had a good time and enjoyed our break.

Thanks Nanny and Poppy!

Look at me go!

Max is getting more and more mobile these days as he gets braver and starts to let go and step out by himself. I don't know who is more excited by this, Max or his parents! Sometimes Max just gets so excited by being able to walk that he promptly forgets how to do it properly.

On the latest visit from the twin cousins, we tried to take some footage of Max taking some steps to show off on the blog, but it took him a few attempts to get it right. However, these attempts are easily as entertaining as the walking itself, so I thought I'd let you see some of this as well.

(sorry about the sideways video - I couldn't fit in his head and his feet at the same time without turning the camera, and then I don't know how to rotate it later on)

Eventually he did remember how to put one foot in front of the other and make some progress, so here's the proof!

He is improving daily in his walking so we're hoping he can get around a bit more confidently by his birthday, when he can show off this latest skill to (hopefully) many family and friends.

All gone!

It's always cute when little people start to mimic the things they see big people do.

One of the cute things Max has started to do lately is raise his hands and make appropriate noises to copy me when i say 'all gone, Max' and turn my palms upwards. He looks so adorable and the noises even sound like he is saying 'all gone'. Of course I can't help but laugh at him and then he thinks he is very clever and smiles and claps his hands, which makes it even cuter.

Max is enjoying his food a lot at the moment (we think he's having a growth spurt) and this is another reason to enjoy dinner time, so that we can delight in saying 'all gone' together at the end of the meal!

The twins turn 1!

On Saturday Max's twin cousins celebrated their first birthday. It really doesn't seem like a whole year ago since we were telling our peanut that his/her cousins were here! It also means that Max's birthday isn't too far away, another very exciting event.

The twins had their birthday party at a park near their house. Max and I drove up and left Cam here to have a sleep and try to get better from his cold, and Max was very good by deciding to have his afternoon nap in the car on the way there, which meant that he was happy and excited to be at the park for the party. He especially had fun playing with his uncle Cam, who spent ages teaching Max to throw various toys and had him smiling and laughing the whole time.

It was also a good chance for Max to see both his Grandma and his great-grandma. His great-grandma hasn't seen him since he was about 5 months old so she enjoyed watching him play with uncle Cam, show off his walking skills while holding my hands, and having a cuddle.

As you can see, he also enjoyed eating the party food! It was his first introduction to twisties, which he likes very much, and another chance to wolf down some cheerios (tiny sausages, not cereal).

The twins also enjoyed their party and being the centre of attention. I think one of their highlights would be the awesome birthday cakes lovingly made by their mother. They each got to tackle a cake-shaped number 1 while sitting in their high chairs.

Elke (on the left) decided the best way to eat hers was not to bother picking it up, but just planting her face straight into the icing. Gabbie was a bit neater but still evidently enjoyed the icing lots.


All the little ones had a fun party and now we are looking forward to having Max's! (remember to keep the 19th of July free!)

What Makes You Think You Can Do That!!

Last night while Jo was having a shower Max and I were in the lounge room spending some quality son & dad time together. This normally involves the reading of a story putting Max on the walker trolley thing and generally playing.

Last night Max was on the end of our Chaise lounge and was standing there and patting it and smiling when he turned and took a couple of steps towards the couch!! Just as he got to the couch he lost his balanced he face planted the couch. Ouch! But like the trooper he is he barely made a squeak.

When Jo was done we spent some time sitting opposite each other and Max taking a couple of steps between us. He then crawled over Jo and stood up on the walker trolley thing and then turned and took a couple of steps towards the coffee table when he decided to gently land.

Jo and I turned to each other and said do you think he knows he can't walk yet??

We are very excited and scared at the same time as the game has now completely changed that he can walk. We will attempt to catch some footage of this momentous occassion.