oh dear... time for an update!

Okay, so it is time. Long past time in fact for an update on the goings on in the pickles household.

The Gherkin is turning into a big boy, right in front of our very eyes, with new words popping out each day (he now would have at least 30 words, but probably more - ex-speechie mum is quite proud!). He sings songs - twinkle twinkle and baa baa black sheep, and can ride his push-along bike. And tonight (very exciting!) he said wee-wee and wee-ed on the bathroom floor, then stopped, said it again, wee-ed again. Our baby boy is growing up! He is throwing big tanties, full face down on the floor, trying to jump on the kitchen chairs, and loves rubbing noses (nose kisses) with his mum. And I am convinced he thinks I am his special girlfriend - heaven knows we have had enough kisses involving tongue (his, not mine, obviously!) for him to start to think this might be the case!

Hooray for babies, but hooray hooray hooray for seeing little people becoming themselves.

Poor little gherkin, we have a big long list for him over our three week tourists-in-our-own-town holidays... moving to a big boy bed (well, a mattress on the floor), and toilet training. And even more plans afoot for the doggie-child of the household.... Wish us luck!

xo

[sigh] he is lovely

IMG_99422
Originally uploaded by summer pickles

yep, there's no doubt about it, our boy is delightful!

he is walking, he is talking, he is laughing, he is making us laugh, he is cuddling, kissing, being cheeky... he is just a delight! he loves the wind, loves trams - "ding! ding!" - and loves his dada (he loves his mummy too, he just doesn't know her name yet... still!).

he uses lots of words: more, ta, dadda, nana, ding ding, car, gone, up, tickle, mummy (for dummy), boh-boh (for bottle) mumma (for water). he says moo, snorts like a pig, kisses like a fish, says "whee" when he sees a slippery dip. he can let us know if he feels like a banana or an orange. he understands no (though doesn't always stop what he is doing!), looks for something when you name it, enjoys playing boo, and makes us sing on request by singing little snatched phrases from songs, with their actions - "up above". oh, and he thinks he's hilarious! (which, we think, he really is).

he is delightful. just so lovely. and we get to share him again with family over the next few weeks! can't wait.

chat again soon xo

mmm orange

mmm orange
Originally uploaded by summer pickles

A new favourite food has arrived in the Pickles household... oranges.

We've spent many afternoons and evenings now giggling at the gherkin as he tries to make sure he has every last bit of orange off the peel. He hits the highchair table now as soon as he sees an orange come out of the fridge, and he cries when there is none left.

Mmmmm.... orange.

our tiny baby boy...

Here's our tiny baby boy... asleep next to mr pickles.

He is now weighing 9.94kg (!) and is very rapidly outgrowing his size 0s.

He is babbling (reduplicated): baba, gaga, wawa and... yes... mama (!) and also starting some varied babbling: bawa, gawa, waba, maba etc. He initiates games of "boo!" where he hides his own face and then blows a raspberry when he reveals his face (very funny). He smiles at strangers, sways to music and laughs in the wind.

He bangs two blocks together, brings a spoon (and his much treasured dummy) to his mouth and gives great cuddles.

He is standing against furniture, sitting for extended periods of time, doing pushups and desperately trying to crawl (but only going backwards).

He is lovely. It is all just going way too quickly (I know... you all said it would!). But it is lovely getting to know this little person, who shows us more of himself every day. I must upload that video of his talking in the next couple of days!

Chat soon xo

things the gherkin has taught me this week

sitting on his own
Originally uploaded by summer pickles

* you can learn something really big (like sitting) in just one week

* sometimes you might fight off a cuddle, but actually, sometimes it is exactly what you needed

* there is a reason there is no baby manual... they change every day

* chicken and broccoli in natural yoghurt tastes pretty good

* it's okay (and preferable) to make a complete fool of yourself in public

* wind blowing through trees is really beautiful

* it is really funny to watch the pug chase a discarded spoon around the kitchen floor

* waving is easy, rolling over is hard

* it's always easier (and smarter) to accept help when it's offered

* there is nothing better than just hanging out together

thanks little man...
xo

the very special relationship between a boy and his dog

good boy
Originally uploaded by summer pickles

I will update on our amazing nsw holiday soonish, promise.

But need to take a quick break first to update you on the relationship between the gherkin and james brown the pug.

The Gherkin LOVES The Pug.

At Christmas, the gherkin got a CareFlight bear... who he immediately grinned at and went to grab an ear - we are certain he thought it was the pug!

But now that the boy is onto solids, the relationship has grown even closer. JB has now realised that he gherkin is no longer just a source of semi-digested milk but is now a source of Real Food. Pureed peas, mashed banana, pureed pumpkin, cooked apple, pureed carrots... these are now available to the dog, via the boy. And JB could not be any happier about the arrangement!

And today a new development... the gherkin worked out that if he threw his spoon (which he plays with and chomps on at the end of each solid feed), james brown would chase it. Hilarious! The boy threw the spoon, the dog chased the spoon, the mum chased the dog!!! Sent the gherkin into a fit of giggles.

So you can imagine what happened with the rusk... Think we have a new game at our place.

Chat soon xo

santa photo

Okay so here he is...

... and what a funny photo it is! We weren't getting any smiles, so I did the mum thing... made a total fool out of myself for my kid... squatted down, wiggled my bum (shook the tailfeathers), waved my hands around (like a grandma pickles goodbye wave) and blew the biggest raspberry, which resulted in this gummy grin! Poor little man has been a bit off the air the past few days, grizzly, unhappy, not settling well, not sleeping, and when I look at this photo it reminds me of photos of brother pickles when he was teething... could we be getting teeth soon??? Each day I have a good feel around in that little mouth, but nothing that feels like teeth yet....

Oh, and in case you were wondering, no this is not a miniature santa, but an enormous baby boy!

Video of the little gherkin eating soon to be posted, so stay tuned!
xo