Road trip

We were looking for a quick outing in between Christmas and New Year, to make the best use of mommy and daddy's long vacation. Mommy put together a trip to Port Stephens - which was perfect. Two and half hour drive from Sydney, we headed off for Salamander Bay on Sunday morning - my first road trip. I was pretty good all the way through - got a bit edgy at times - who likes sitting for more than 60 minutes? But swapping between front and back seat gave me the change I needed to settle down.

We arrived at our hotel past noon - the sun was shining. We wasted no time and dived into the water. Oh wait - of course mommy had to get me ready first. Slip, slop, slap - lots of sunscreen so I don't burn my young skin. Added protection of my swimming do - and I was ready. Daddy meanwhile burst his lungs inflating my float. With all the gears ready and camera rolling, the fun began.

It's been a while since I last went to a swimming pool. On top of it, this time it was a open, cold water pool. My first reaction was a little shiver. That was it. In no time, I was on the float by myself, kicking happily the water around me. I was having so much fun!

It also appeared that I was the youngest one around in the revolving pool. I was getting lot of attention as swimmers passed around us.

It was a while before they could convince me to get out of the water. I had a sneeze or two - which meant mommy and daddy was getting worried that I might catch cold. Still daddy had to keep me on the poolside so I didn't cry and had to put up with my excitement as I saw other kids pass by.


It was a fun day out. Rest of the day we spent in the hotel room while the adults caught up with recapping couple of old movies. Next day was quite gloomy with rains in between. You think that would stop me from going to swim? As soon as the sun peeped through the cloud (for 2 minutes), I was in the pool again. We wanted to go to the beach, but daddy thought the water would be too cold. Same routine in the pool but I had double the fun.

Following day, the sun was smiling bright and hot. Finally our wish to visit the beach came true. So we packed our bags and headed to the One Mile Beach. It was beautiful weather - perfect for beach for someone little like me! Mommy made sure I am safe from the sun before I stepped out. Before going into the water, I took a quick nap and lunch. I was ready to meet the ocean for the first time. Daddy took me up close and slowly introduced me to the waves. I didn't quite like what was going on at first. It was noisy and the waves were big. As daddy tried to dip my feet into the water, I made him well aware I wasn't liking it - it was cold for me. Mommy then joined us and took me for a play in the water. She knew the trick - unlike daddy who was only trying to get me wet, mommy went into the water with me. I caught the vibe. Hey, ocean became my friend. We all played 'dodge the wave' for a while; as mommy made sure I got totally wet in the salty water. After I had enough dipping, I went back to lola while mommy, daddy and tita stayed in the water for another couple of hours.

After a long day in the beach, we all set off for our trip back home. After a couple of days away from home, I was looking forward to my good old bed and familiar playground. It was great to be back home. And everyone was relieved that I came out perfectly fine after few days of fun in the water.

Eight months

Two third of the way through the first year of my life - yahoo! Worth celebrating, you betcha! We happen to be on a short road trip - but that would not stop the celebration. Mommy made sure she had some yummy muffins to mark the eighth month. And unlike the past months, this time I was happy to dip into my own muffins. After all, I do have two big teeth two work on them.

Magic moments: Christmas

Mommy, can I open this gift now?

How about this one then?

He he, I'd open this up anyway ...

It's Christmas day and I will wear the Christmas smile

Here comes the holiday season

Mommy and daddy has started their Christmas leave - hurray! I have been getting their company all day long, as well as the nights. I have been a very happy baby. It's been easy dealing with me at night too. I am sleeping through most of the night these days - sometimes well into late morning. Although I am starting to show my disliking for milk, I am making it up with plenty of solids. I love my desserts too - a fruity yogurt or custard does magic. And of course, you must have heard of my fascination for beef pie. Mommy is watching it closely though - since it has lots of salt in it.

My growing up has been having some real impact around me. Daddy had to already adjust my pram to allow more room and my cot has been lowered since I can reach up the sides. There's also a second teeth on the lower incisor. Daddy got bitten couple of times trying to clean my tongue - they are real sharp too. I love saying "daddy" - makes my daddy real happy. Mommy is trying to make me say the magic word - "mommy" that is. I like playing with her a little bit.

Chrissie season means quite a few friendly visits and I am meeting a few of my friends as a result. We caught up with Ron the other day - he is less than an year older than I am. We made good friends. Then we went to visit Chloe - who is 2 months older. Chloe was very nice as she lets me play with her toys.

But the best part of the holiday is ... lots of gift awaits for me to rip through in couple of day's time. I already had a sneak peak into a few but mommy diligently wrapped them up for me to open up on Christmas day. Can't wait for lola and tita to come back from church.

This would be my first new year celebration too. The last time round, I was in mommy's tummy. Plenty to look forward to this year end. I know some of you guys are heading home for Christmas or busily shopping around. Whatever you are up to, take it easy and have a safe and enjoyable holiday. Lots of love!

I love a good pie

One of daddy's favorite food is beef pie. So when he's in the mall taking a break from mommy's shopping, he'd order a beef pie. Now that I happen to be with him during these coffee-breaks, I am developing a good taste for beef pie too. First it was a bit here and bit there on the finger tip, and now it's a few spoonful in between my main meal. I think I am starting to prefer beef pie than my main meal (Oh! I shouldn't say that, mommy will be sad). Check out the video, do you hear me demanding another spoonful from my daddy?

My motor skills

I have been enjoying my walker quite a bit lately - and that shows in the skills I have picked up in recent time. I can run; I can reverse; turn around and follow my mommy; I can even slide (walker style) when I pick up speed. Check this out!

Magic moments: Christmas cheers

Mommy, daddy, me and the Christmas tree

Dressed to head to Santa's factory

Santa's factory inspection

Christmas tree climb

Moni and bhaiya

This week was very eventful. For the first time, moni (my dad's sister and I'd call her moni) and bhaiya (her son and my only cousin for now) came to visit us. Moni has been following my life through this blog but she couldn't wait to carry me. She was looking forward to this trip for a while and finally on Friday last week she got onto the plane and landed in Sydney. When she arrived home in the evening, I woke up to greet her. Well, as you know I have been a bit moody lately and can take a while to get acquainted with people, it did take me some time to feel comfortable for her to carry me. But I kept staring at her inquisitively.

It wasn't till the third day I happily allowed her to take me around. But moni was happy seeing me anyway and she didn't mind it at all.

With bhaiya it was a different story altogether. Apart from the fact he was a loving little brother I was waiting to spend time with, I was keen to play or share my toys with him. He was more than happy to sing or dance around to entertain me while I had my food. This 5-year old was also very keen to prove he was indeed my elder cousin-brother and cuddled and carried me just like an adult. I was so pampered. Moni obviously brought me lots of gifts along with those from bubu and khalamoni and buchi. I was the center of attraction for more than the usual lot for the entire week.

Towards the end of the week I was all too comfortable with them around. We took them to the city for a tour where bhaiya even took turn to share my pram! I suppose he's still not too grown up after all - there's a little baby in him. He was indeed the little baby nephew for daddy and uncle. We all had a good family time together. And oh, moni spent most of the time cooking local delicacies which my parents missed a lot. I could see they were enjoying every mouthful.

It was a shame they could only stay for the week. It was soon time for a long journey home. Moni was visibly sad to leave for home - the feeling of not seeing me for a while was breaking her heart. But I think we all smiled with the prospect that they could be back in few months time. I hope it would be for my birthday or for a winter trip to the skis. Either way, I am looking forward to see them again. Thank you moni and bhaiya for all your love and gifts - and making this long trip just to see me. Love you so much.

Crawl my way to the toothbrush

Nothing moves me, literally, like the attraction of a toothbrush. Sounds hard to believe? Check out the video. I love my toothbrush. You take it away from me, I cry. So when lola had the first hint of the fact that I have learned to make my way around the room, she put my favorite toothbrush to the best use. I can sprint to it in no time - only to grab it and put it into my mouth. And the fact that I can crawl now - is of lesser importance... to me. Wait, I saw my toothbrush! I'll go and grab it first. Speak later.

Poll result

This poll was about what my birthday theme would be. Either you have spoken to my mom about this or you know my mom all too well. What else would be the theme but Elmo!


I got to give you guys credit for know me so well. The last two polls about my teeth and sitting was spot on! Well done guys, keep voting.

Daddy Diary: the d-word

There are a few moments every dad possibly can wait their whole life to hear and once they have heard it, they replay that in their mind for the rest of their life. That moment came to me on Tuesday. Ayesha was in her port-a-cot playing and I walked into the room. She could peep through the net of the port-a-cot. I smiled at her and there she was, looking at me through the net smiling, and the word blurted our of her mouth ... daaa-diii. Oh yeah! That moment was made. Am I a happy dad or what?

PS: Since then she has been saying daaa-diii quite regularly but not with the meaning I felt at that moment. But I can swear, SHE DID CALL ME!

Troubles with my teeth

As exciting as it is, my teeth comes with it's own set of troubles. Here's how I deal with it. First, I rub my face on the shoulder of whoever carries me. Second, I rub my face on the bed. Third, I let mommy apply Bonjela on my teeth and finally, I sing song on my teether. Check this out.