Wednesday 04 May 2005 Dear Family & Friends Hello! And welcome to my 10th Update. Today I am exactly 36 weeks (or 8 months & 9 days) old. You won’t believe what I’ve managed to learn since I last Updated you: As of about a week and a half ago, I can now get myself into a sitting position! I’m ever so proud of myself and am really enjoying being able to reach things at a higher level. It’s also very useful to be able to sit upright AND examine toys, shovel dirt into my mouth, knock Alex’s Lego towers over etc. I’ll attach a photo of me demonstrating my new skill.
Another skill I’m on the verge of acquiring is that of climbing the stairs. Yesterday Alex and Daddy were a few steps up, and I so desperately wanted to join in their fun that I climbed up the first step! I hope my parents are ready because I’m about to become a LOT more active and mobile!
I’m really keen to be up and moving and joining in with Alex’s games. I absolutely dote on my big brother and would love nothing more than to run and jump and tumble and play with him. I watch his every move and my big eyes light up whenever I see him or hear his voice. I try ever so hard to keep up with him, but one can only get so far when one is limited to slithering on one’s tummy. I do try to stand up, but my balance, strength and coordination aren’t all in sync yet. I do like to stand on Mummy’s lap and hold onto her hair and bounce up and down and try to climb over her shoulder!
A couple of weeks ago my car seat was turned around so now I’m facing the front. I was getting a bit annoyed with facing the back of the car, so I’m feeling much more sociable now, although it is a bit harder to sleep when I’m sitting just that bit more upright.
I’ve had a very busy time lately. I’ve done lots of visiting and have had lots of visitors. Grandma & Soss arrived at my house on Saturday morning, and then on Sunday we all went down to Sydney for a picnic in the park with Doffy and the Maidens, but particularly the great-grandchildren/ babies so it was a "Doffy & the Greats" day. There were a squizillion cameras clicking happily away, so all us great-grandbabies felt a bit like royalty in front of the paparazzi, but there were some lovely photos taken to help remember a fantastic day.
I went to my Mothers Group on Tuesday. I have such a nice little group of friends there, and I’m ever so popular not least because I’m one of only three girls.
Today Grandma took me for a drive down to Sydney to see Doffy and we left Mummy at home by herself. Poor Mummy. I bet she was really lonely, what with Alex being at preschool and me being out with Grandma & Doffy. Whose nose would she wipe? Whose nappy would she change? I suspect she had to drink a whole cup of coffee without jumping up, and perhaps even had to go to the toilet all by herself. What a shame… But we all came home hungry and tired, so we soon perked her up again.
Now that I can sit up on my own, my Mummy has started putting me in the highchair for my meals. I’m a really good eater, but – unlike Alex – I don’t like the tinned baby food; I much prefer Mummy’s cooking. I love fork-mashed potato, pumpkin, brocolli, zucchini, carrots, minced chicken, chewing on strips of steak, toast with cream cheese, avocado, stewed apples and pears, soggy weetbix with mashed banana, rusks, rice cakes, rice, mashed pasta, tomato, cheese. Funnily enough, one thing I’m not overly keen on is vegemite. (I’m sure you Canadians can understand that!!)
Next week I’m going back to the Clinic for my Mothers Group so I’ll be weighed and measured then, so I’ll write and let you know how well I’m growing.
Until then…
Lots of love from
Baby Jess xx