Bringing up baby: Drunken Master

The warmed beverage is enthusiastically guzzled. Milk is quaffed and splashed in a wide radius; impressive mess as it is a no-spill trainer cup. However child-proof items rarely survive the first encounter.

Guzzle guzzle. He barely comes up for air. When his thirst momentarily abates, he merrily waves his cup about, cheerily inviting the world to join in his happy hour.

He clambers to an uncertain upright position with his grip strongly on his cup. He wants to toddle to the other side of the room but he is off-balanced by his cup.

Bringing up baby: cushions and cuddlies

He enthusiastically throws down the stuffed soft toys perched on top the couch. His cheeky grin, his apple cheeks, the two lower teeth shining testament to his fun.

And when they are all down, why he picks it up off the floor and starts all over again.

His wee butt wriggling and shuffling to no avail as his short legs provide insufficient leverage to climb back on the sofa.

His bright brown eyes see a solution: he flings his arms round my neck, and clambers on my reclining body to reach the sofa seat.

Atilla has terrific problem-solving skills.

Bringing up baby: beach ii

Done. Went to beach - Mission Bay - with Atilla. He was nattily dressed in his UV-protected one-piece with a hat on. Slathered in sunscreen for protective measure. Staying mostly in shade under blooming pohutakawa trees for cooling value.

Picturesque Rangitoto looming in the close horizon, clear waves lapping the sandy beach, adventure playground in direct line of sight. He preferentially picked the fallen brown pohutakawa leaves under the park bench.

He was gently introduced to the waving waters of the Waitemata. His toes curled away.

We had lunch.

I attempted a more inviting approach. Nope.

We sat some more while he explored the park bench. I enjoyed the restful scenario. I wish I could do this more often.

We finished with a session on the funky swings.

Now, what other daydreams do I want to fulfil before my time is up?

Bringing up baby: toilet training

Ok let's work on 2 things:
* asking to wear underwear instead of diapers
* staying dry for at least two hours at a time during the day

This should hopefully be helpful at daycare next year.

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/pottytraining/l/bl_potty_rdy.htm

Your child does show many of the signs of being ready to start potty training, but since he or she isn't yet 18 months old you may want to wait a little longer before thinking about starting to potty train your child.
Most experts recommend against early potty training before a toddler is 18 months old. If you really think your child is ready, be sure to talk to your Pediatrician before getting started.

You said that your child has the following signs of readiness to start potty training:

is in a stable and fairly predictable routine, and not experiencing a big change in his life or usual routine, like the arrival of a new baby, change in daycare, or family move
is having regular bowel movements at about the same time each day
is able to follow simple instructions
is generally cooperative and not in a very negative phase where he says 'no' to everything
is uncomfortable in dirty diapers
is able to sit down quitely for 4-5 minutes at a time
is telling you when he is about to urinate or have a bowel movement
is showing you, either with his facial expressions or his posture, that he is about to urinate or have a bowel movement
is able to walk to the bathroom
is happy to please his parents
is proud when he does something that pleases you
is trying to imitate what other children or family members are doing, especially using the potty

You said that your child has the following signs of not being ready to start potty training:

is not at least 18 months old
is not staying dry for at least two hours at a time during the day
is not staying dry after naps
is not able to say (or sign) simple one-word expressions, like 'poop' and 'potty'
is not asking to use the potty
is not able to help take off his diaper and undress himself
is not asking to wear underwear instead of diapers

28th November 2011: an afternoon at the zoo

Today was a successful outing at Auckland zoo.

Attila was an excellent little boy, excited about climbing onto picnic tables and reaching out to grab and explore leaves and all sorts of new experiences. In many ways he was a real little monkey using all his senses to discover his new environment.

We were lost several times despite the map. If only it had a route recommended for people with wheels.

Next time an outing will include the following paraphernalia: white cloths to reflect heat and absorb sweat on sunny days, sunscreen for sunny days, more snacks/food for everyone. As if a nappy bag were not enough weight and baggage.

story 5.5

Atilla was sad. Nothing was happening. He had waited and waited. But no doing. Life wasn't all grapes and biscuits. Oh well.

He wondered what Cousin Qwerty was doing. He sighed. Leaving Brisbane was hard. Getting to the airport was easy enough. Except for waking up early in the morning. It was the emotional aspect he had a hard time with.

He was already missing Auntie M-, Uncle B-, Cousin Qwerty, Cousin Amy. On the other hand it would be very nice to play with his own toys again. He was sure they missed him.

Atilla didn't think very highly of the airline food. He became glummer. Nothing was happening. There was a very low chance of not returning home.

"Everything is fine," Mum said soothingly. For the second ninth time. He humoured her, and smiled innocently.

Dad backed her up. "See? There's nothing to worry about," he said distractedly.

Atilla re-iterated the hypothesis he concluded last year: Adults are strange.

Bringing up Baby: memories A Lovely Day

We had a lovely day.

Atilla did not cry to sleep for his morning nap. He slept in his cot. He napped for an hour.

I found our picnic mat. We had our first picnic in our garden. Atilla kept his sunhat on. He ventured onto the grass. He played with the bucket-picnic basket. He didn't get bit by ants or mosquitoes.

After that we finished lunch in the house. He kept busy snacking grapes while I did the dishes. Then we played very many. It was lovely and heartwarming. He chortled and giggled and smiled toothily. His fifth and sixth teeth are coming out.

Atilla didn't cry to sleep for his afternoon nap. He napped for an hour. He was in his cot.

He awoke crying, becoming inconsolable as we hunted around the house for person or people not there.

Eventually he allowed me to feed him. This afternoon meal took an hour. We played some more, marking time until Daddy arrived home to take a bath wih Atilla.

Atilla 'knows' silliness. I pretended to drink from his water bottle, and it prompted a wide smile.

Atilla didn't cry to sleep for his evening sleep. He fell asleep in his cot.

We need black-out curtains.