Dearest Oscar,
You'll have to forgive your Mamma; your 1/2 birthday has come and gone and we can't get over the fact that you are already a 0.5yrs old. If we'd the internet at home Mamma would've posted this 14 days ago. One day I will teach you how to count to fourteen and add on another thirty nine, because that's how many days Mamma and Daddy have been off-line, without any internet connectivity to speak of. Our signal was as absent as a chickens fart (I knew that would make you laugh).
Now, what have you been up to since we last recorded a milestone of yours?...
You've moved countries. Much to my horror. Your Daddy has taken being back in South Africa like a duck to water. Mamma on the other hand has taken to it like a cat to water. Not well at all. I miss my friends. I miss our little tiny flat. I miss your Aunty Kerry and Uncle Mornay and Max the Cat. You on the other hand don't seem to realise this change at all. Just like your Daddy - you are a duck.
You've started coming into your own a little more. Like your Daddy your save your laughter for things you find truly funny. I've caught you laughing at things when you thought you were alone. Your favourite funny thing is pulling on the mirror on your play gym and laughing at your own reflection.
You've started what we adults call weening. This is a very stressful phase for Mamma, because I fear you might be allergic to something (you've had eczema since you were 3 weeks old). You've pretty much gotten bored with baby rice so we've moved onto butternut. You're not sure about butternut. Prunes do the trick. Which is a good thing as you are quite often, literally, full of s**t. Sweet potatoes and apples (pureed together) make you gag. You like HIP organic baby food (Mamma fed you this out of desperation after you got bored with the butternut!). You adore gnawing on raw cucumber and carrots. You have two little bottom teeth coming through nicely.
You've spent time, quality time, with each of your Godparents. Uncle Jimmy & Aunty Ang loved baby sitting you before we moved from London. Aunty Kerry spoils you rotten and always thinks of fun things you might need (Uncle Mornay always wants to make sure you are safe and comfortable) and Uncle Richard made a special trip from Australia to PE just to meet you last week. And he brought with him the entire Winter line from Cotton On Kids! You are a very very lucky and blessed boy. And when you struggle to sleep Mamma whispers in your ear the names of all the people who love you - it's a little like counting sheep but a lot more reaffirming and you are often out before I reach the end of a very long list.
You pay attention more. You had Daddy and I in stitches today; with you in my arms I was explaining to Daddy where I think we could put some useful shelves above the tumble dryer underneath the stairs, you looked at me as I spoke and then to Daddy for his rebuttal - hilarious!
Today was the first warm, breathless day in weeks (certainly since we've been in our new home), so I sat you outside on the deck and let you play eye-spy on your own. You saw and noticed your first plane in flight and were amazed. The highlight were the flapping pigeons overhead. The look on your face was priceless.
You don't roll - yet. You're almost sitting unaided. And you love watching videos of yourself or looking at photographs in which you are the focal point, this seems to calm you down when you cry. Daddy hasn't cottoned on to the fact that the digital photo frame you gave him for his birthday is actually for you. You also like it when Mamma reads to you, as long as the stories are short.
Your face lights up at almost anyone who pays you attention. You've been sick twice since your arrival and both times you've handled it like a trooper. You put up with Mamma when she wants to play "Eat your Toes" and your can balance on these two things beneath your tummy (one day you'll discover that they're called 'legs'). You don't sleep through the night anymore, you choose to wake at 3 or 4am for a little bit of juice (if Daddy is on call) or water (if I am) and a nappy change - the doctor told us you need to drink at least 1,200ml a day given your current weight (8.3kg).
You are strong. You are healthy. And you are kind.
You are more than either of us imagined.
You still adore Duddley and Theodore and choose to cuddle them in equal measure when you fall asleep at night.
The days with you fly by. I love every second of every day that I get to spend with you.
We love you. Always. And greatly, Mamma and Daddy.
PS I + I = III
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| Thank-You for the great pics Uncle Richard |
