Solids!

Cooking, blending, pureeing, preparing, decanting and freezing... All the activities that are once again going to become a part of my weekly routine.  I've been both looking forward to and not looking forward to the introduction of solids.  Due to the above mentioned list of verbs (i.e. "doing words"), I could have delayed the inevitable for a little longer, however, I was extremely excited and courious to see how Zac took to the new experience and therefore looking forward to this next milestone as well.

Due to us introducing Lily to solids just after she turned 5 months, I decided to do the same with Zac.  At exactly 5 months and 10 days old, we introduced our little guy to the wonderful world of veggies - gem squash to be exact.  Initially he seemed quite confused by this new tasting substance that was being put into this mouth.  He also wasn't sure whether this new texture required sucking, spitting or biting!  The mouth movements were quite entertaining to watch.

My overall concensus was that Zac neither loved nor hated this new experience.  He ate around 3 small teaspoons of the gem squash and that was that for the first trial.  The second and third day saw him consuming and enjoying it a lot more.  Tomorrow I'm excited to introduce a new veggie - sweet potato.  Who knew that the mere activity of introducing foods to your baby would be such a thrill! Holding thumbs that he enjoys his solids and continues to do so in the future!

Looking a little perplexed!

And he "speaks"!

Just as our little man Zac turned 5 months old, he decided it was time to start "speaking"! The past few days he has been "da da da da da'ing", "na na na na na'ing" and speaking in little baby talk which is truly gorgeous to hear.

He has also been giggling ever so more, especially when I bounce him up and down or say "boo!"  I've also noticed that he has found his little feet and often grabs them, bringing his toes towards his mouth.

He seems to want to put everything in his mouth and often sits contently gumming on my fingers, hand or arm.  I've given him a few teething rings to bite on, but he hasn't quite mastered the art of placing larger objects into his mouth, often missing the target.  He is getting there though!

Our little man is now quite the accomplished "roller over" and upon leaving him on the bed on his tummy, I often return to find him lying on his back. Just the other day (again, after having turned 5 months) I left him on his back and he managed to roll over onto his stomach for the first time! So no more resting assured that where I leave my baby I will find him - got to carefully place him where I know he will remain safe out of harms way as he gets that little bit more mobile.

So many little milestones achieved just as he turned 5 months and as usual, I'm looking forward to the next one!

5 months today

Our little precious guy is a whopping 5 months old today! Still ever so happy and charming, he fills our lives with so much joy. I can't believe how big he is getting and guestimate his weight to be well over 7kg now. Many people have commented in the past that he has incredibly large hands so I'm intrigued to know whether our little guy is going to remain a little guy or whether he is going to be a tall, big boy! I suppose only time will tell...

Zac is still sleeping relatively well with one or two wake up calls at night. He then falls asleep on the boob and goes back down after about 15-20 minutes, allowing mom to happily go back to slumber land post feed. He still fights his day naps when sleep starts taking over - he fights it like something evil is taking over his little body! He pushes himself away from me and cries! Eventually, he succumbs to the extreme tiredness and I can then put him down in his cot.  His sister used to fall asleep by self soothing without being held or rocked, but unfortunately, our little Zac prefers to be held and then once asleep, can the transition into the cot commence.

Zac is ever the charmer and gives everyone big smiles and kisses. He loves being nuzzled in the neck and kissed on the mouth. He responds with giggles and big open mouthed kisses right back (although he obviously isn't aware of the kissing motion - he is merely responding the touch of your lips by opening his mouth). We truly are so blessed with a happy little guy.

Giving granny some love and kisses

We are introducing solids sometime this month and I'm looking forward to seeing how well he responds. Lily took to solids with much enthusiasm and enjoyment so fingers crossed we have the same with our little Zacy Boy :)

Daddy's big catch!

Love looking at daddy's fish!

Lily's 1st haircut

Lily's hair is often a topic of conversation... From strangers admiring her gorgeous curls to mommy's frustration with the morning struggle to get a brush through it!  This mom, with dead straight hair, also frequently comments on how she managed to produce a child with Shirley Temple type ringlets?!  Nevertheless, we have loved watching her hair grow over the months and have been exceptionally reluctant to put a pair of scissors near it.

However, the time had come to give Lily's unruly ends a neat trim and I placed her on the bathroom counter with her iPad so I could try to avoid any protests.  Lily wasn't too happy about me putting the scissors so close to her head and gave a few whimpers before getting lost in her iPad much to my relief.  Unfortunately, I am by no means a professional hairstylist and with Lily facing sideways, I think I may have ended up giving her a lopsided hairdo!  Thankfully her curls hide a multitude of hair cutting sins so no-one is the wiser.

I must admit that it was quite sad cutting away at her baby curls - another reminder that my baby is growing up so quickly and at 28 months it was time for a neatening up.  So here's to the first haircut of many more to follow.

1st night away

Last week we decided to go to Old Mac Daddy in Elgin for our first night away as a family of four.  Of course only going for one night, you'd expect the luggage capacity to be at a minimum... Well, unfortunately not with two babies!  We were packed to the max, with the dogs at the extreme rear of the car of course and my "not so small" bum squished between the two car seats at the back.  Thankfully our destination was only an hour and a half away so the discomfort wasn't endured for too long. 

My wonderful parents joined us on our night away which always adds some more fun to the mix.  We stayed in the three bedroom villa, a few stairs climb on the hill.  With nothing much to do at the venue other than go for long walks and relax, that's exactly what we did.  Zac sat in the Baby Bjorn adding 6kg+ to every step I had to take (yay for the extra calories burnt!) and Lily happily walked alongside us, entertaining us almost every step of the way.  Goodness, we have honestly been blessed with one of the most gorgeous little girls in the world, full of character!

That evening we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the restaurant (lamb shank, pizza, salmon trout and hake) and had a relatively early night's sleep.  With a new bed and a snoring husband, I didn't get a good night's rest and to top it off, Zac woke up at 4:30am and wasn't quite ready to go back to sleep! Luckily at 6:30am he fell into a deep sleep and slept until 8:30am which was nice for mommy to have a little doze.

After a wonderful breakfast back in the barn restaurant, we packed the car and made our way home.  The weather was awfully windy, cold and overall miserable so it was lucky we had the good weather the previous day.  Our drive home was quick and our first night away with our two little treasures went well.  Looking forward to our next little mini adventure!

Looking at the chickens in the play area

Bathing in the kitchen sink!

Ready for our walk!

Happy little guy!