Thank you, Grandma and Grandad for my Easter present!

Grandma and Grandad sent James an early Easter present yesterday and it was a big hit. The little bunny vibrates when you pull his tail and it really made him giggle. Thank you, Grandma and Grandad!!

And of course, the obligatory taste test!

He also got this telephone rattle. This is a noisy one ... he loves all the ring tones and the flashing lights. His face lit up when I showed him how to push the buttons.

I love this photo. He's just chewing down so hard and his fingers were so tense that he was pushing ALL the buttons at the same time, and not letting go ... so we had a "melody" of all the noises the different buttons make that just went on, and on, and on ... (and there's no "off" switch on this toy...) But I love how much it makes him smile.

Yep, both toys were definitely a hit. Look at that concentration!

We've booked our flights home!

We finally booked our flights home today. We fly on May 18th (landing on the 19th) and then come back on June 2nd. We're all really looking forward to seeing everyone!!! Even though James is an American citizen too he does at least know SOME of the words to Rule Britania ...

James was waving the Union Jack flag so vigorously that he toppled over ... Here he is mid topple ... He looks a bit like he's standing to attention!

Wearing his "World X-Plorer Little Pilot" top in honour of booking flights home!

No more photos, please.

Vital Statistics

James had his 6 month check-up today. He's doing really well and seems to be right on track. We can't believe he can be 6 months old already. He's now 29 1/4" tall and weighs 21lbs 2oz. He had four more shots and did his usual angry squawk and then got over it. He didn't even notice when I took the plasters/band aids off. Today he really enjoyed playing with the crinkly paper on the bed and kept grabbing for Doctor Tipnis' stethoscope and all her other gadgets. Oh, and he now has 2 teeth coming through on the bottom! (... of his mouth ... not teeth coming out of his bottom ... just re-read that and it sounded a bit odd ... just thought I better clarify!!!!)

James and Renee

Our friend Renee came over on Saturday night and so James had great fun playing with her and showing off all his toys! Thanks for playing with me, Renee!!!

James is going to be able to see really well in the dark!

James' favourite food appears to be carrots at the moment. The past few times we've given them to him he's got REALLY excited and he smacks his lips in delight - he can't seem to get enough of them. Let's hope this lasts!!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

We went to Kelli Joel's 2nd Birthday party on Saturday. It was at San Francisco zoo and so James got to enjoy another trip to the zoo. We had a great day - thank you so much, Joel family!!

Kelli blowing her 2 candles out with a little help from her Mommy and Daddy.

Kelli certainly enjoyed eating her birthday cake - it was very yummy!

For some reason James was in a more serious mood when we looked around the zoo before the party. It was a bit chilly so maybe that was why, or maybe (like Mummy) he was remembering coming to the zoo with Aunty Sarah and Uncle Tris a couple of weeks ago and really missing them...

Daddy and James comparing Gregory The Giraffe with the real life giraffes ...

The meercats were fun to watch.

James seemed to enjoy the Children's Farmyard most... and Daddy really enjoyed feeding the animals!

Here's smiley, happy, chuckling James!
(we were actually sitting on a saddle in this picture ... well, somehow Mummy managed to clamber on to it ... thank goodness, there are no photos of that ...)

James loved driving the tractor (just like Aunty Catherine!)

Such concentration ...

A trip to the zoo AND a birthday party can really take it out of a little one, you know.

First tooth!

James has his first tooth coming through! You can't quite see it yet but you definitely can feel it, and you can see the skin has broken. James can obviously feel something different too as he keeps poking his tongue out and blowing rasberrries!

Grandad G - I bet these photos make you proud!!! You've been trying to teach me to poke out my tongue from day 1!!

Playing in the park

Yesterday we met Devon, Aiden and Keagan at the park. The boys all had fun and James got his first go on a swing !!

James looking a bit worried ... to start with he kept slumping forward.

James and Keagan swinging!

He seemed to enjoy the swing once he got the hang of it!

James didn't go down the slide but he sat at the bottom for a while. He loves all the face expressions Devon makes!

The boys playing at the bottom of the slide. Aiden made a friend at the park and was happy to share his race cars with her.

We had trouble getting the boys to look at the camera at the same time today, although Devon worked really hard to get them smiling! There were just too many distractions in the park. James was wearing another Grandma creation. It's been too hot to wear this hooded jacket but sitting in the shade of the tree meant he was getting a bit chilly and provided the perfect opportunity.

I love Keagan's face expression in this one ... how cute are these boys??

Aiden way up high - shooting his racing cars off the top. He was much braver than I would have been at his age (or even NOW come to think of it ...)

James must've been waving his arms around as it came out a bit blurry but you can see Grandma's handy-work quite well on this one. It looked really good and fits him really well.

All that playing can be realllllllly tiring you know ...

Sitting up in the bath

Now that James can sit up so well we decided to get rid of the bath recliner part so he can sit up in the bath. He really seemed to enjoy playing withe bubbles and some of his bathtime toys. We just need to figure out a better way of washing all that hair while he's in this position!

He definitely seemed more interested in playing with the bubbles while he was sitting up.

Duck a la bubbles ... always a bath time favourite!

Poorly little boy

For those that don't know, James has been a sick little boy for the last week. It started with a cough and turned into a nasty cold. It's been a rough week but we saw the doctor this morning who confirmed that it wasn't anything more serious and the poor little guy just has to ride it out. These couple of photos were taken on Monday and after a rough night last night he seems to be doing better today (see later photos).

I want to stand on my own 2 feet ...

I'm not concerned about balancing right now ... you'll always be there to hold my hands, right, Mum?

We think James likes to do the twist ... look at that big smile!

Congratulations, Aunty Caroline on passing your driving test!!! These photos are for you ...

Aunty Caroline passed her driving test on Monday - we're really proud of you! She's going car shopping at the weekend and so since James was feeling a bit better today we decided to go outside in the garden for some fresh air, and to give some tips on how to pick the right car ...

Cool sunglasses are a good place to start ... Then pick at least 2 cars to compare. We thought we'd start with a silver jaguar and a sporty looking convertible ... but flashy cars obviously aren't the only option. COLOUR is very important too!!

I always find a quick nibble on each car gives you a great sense of which car might be the better fit for you...

But don't rule out other features, such as a convertible just because they don't taste as good.

A personalised number plate always looks very swish ... Thanks Aunty Sarah and Uncle Tris for my californian licence plate for my pushchair/stroller!

Then you need to work on your cool, one arm resting on the open window pose ... but remember, always be safe!

I know I'm biased but ...

our little boy is just soooooooo sweet! And I could take photos all day long! Today he is wearing another Aunty Caroline outfit that looks really cute on him. The poor little guy has got a bit of a cough today but after a bit of a rough night and a sleepy morning he was ready for a play ...

Here he is playing with the shape sorter Auntie Linda and Uncle Rick gave him before he was even born. We just got it out to play with yesterday and he seems to love chewing on the shapes and smiles everytime they make a noise as they go in the right hole.