jamie loves the bath

Last night I took this video of Jamie in the bath. It all started because he was trying to drink the water from the cup and I told him it was yucky, but it just turned into a game...

oh dear!

Jamie is talking more and more everyday. He hasn't said much that is funny yet as mostly he just says one word at a time, sometimes two. We haven't filmed him much (or at all yet) talking but we captured this tonight which was just too cute. If you can't tell what's going on, the cover to the iPad has come off...

a little green thumb

Christine (Paul's mum) came over today to have a massive pruning/tidy of our garden (backyard). We got a substantial amount cut back during Jamie's 2 hour nap--we easily have 2-3 carloads that need to go to the green recycling. When Jamie did wake up, we found we had ourselves quite the little helper. He obviously has his Nanna's green thumb. (Let's hope so!)

big boy in the woods

Yesterday I took Jamie to a local park where we like to walk Remmy. Lately we've been going through the woods to visit the horse fields. Jamie loves seeing the horses. Unfortunately, they were on the far side of the field and didn't come visit, so I just let him down to run around. He loved running up and down this empty creek bed. As I watched him, I was struck by what a little boy he has become--something about they way he was dressed and how he could climb the steep incline. Here is a video I shot of him playing:

And here are some photos of him playing and also some of the horses he likes (taken on a different day):

 Besties:

Jamie is fond of the horses:

This horse is fond of our buggy:

Remmy thinks they are big playmates.



What have you done to my room?

We are getting new carpet in Jamie's room this week and have had to strip everything out. Here is his reaction on seeing the empty room the first time.



You can also view this video here: http://youtu.be/NCkX4Nn8diE

current calming techniques

Jamie has become very tech-savvy. He knows how to turn on iphones/ipads and scroll through photos. He stops and videos he wants to watch. They are an excellent distraction when he is very cranky. Especially on VERY long plane rides to the US. Episodes of Thomas and Friends was also a big hit, even without sound.  Here is one of Jamie's current favorite videos of him and his best friend Remmy:

the BIG slide

We've just gotten back from a fantastic vacation in Italy, but Paul's gone down to Eastbourne for the week with all the photos, so you'll have to wait until next week for those. We're trying to keep busy at home and went to the park this morning with some friends. There is a very long slide which I took Jamie down today, and he couldn't get enough. Have a look...(warning, you need sound for full effect).

It can also be seen here: http://youtu.be/LvAkVP7NS5E.

I can stand up!

Even though Jamie has been able to walk for about a month, he hasn't been using it as his main mode of transportation. Crawling is just quicker and also, he hasn't been able to stand up by himself when he falls down. He can very easily pull himself up with even just a tiny amount of assistance, but has shown absolutely no attempt to just stand up on his own...until today that is... I took Jamie and Remmy to the park and let Jamie out of the buggy to have a little walking time and after about 10 steps, he fell in the grass and then just stood himself back up and kept going. I was shocked. I took a video which shows his many attempts to get his balance, but I swear the first time he did it, he just got straight up. Clever little man...

You can also see the video here: http://youtu.be/UVdLz9M3OH4

i can do it myself!

Jamie has decided that it's much better if he feeds himself, despite the fact that it takes twice as long and is twice as messy.

our little Frankenstein

Still sorting through the birthday photos, but in the meantime, here's a video we shot of Jamie walking today. He's up to about 10 steps or so now. He still chooses to crawl for transport, but I'm sure it won't be long now...

You can view it on youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKlY1a_5vn8

and we're standing!

Over the last few weeks Jamie has been caught standing but it's only ever been for a few seconds and when he's accidentally let go of something. This weekend though he's really made some progress. He's going for longer and longer. Doubt he'll be walking before he's one, but we're once (stance) closer:

It can also be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/user/st4cyw#p/a/u/0/LQbiBlXdPXQ

this one is for you kimmy!

Auntie Kimmy bought Jamie his first car for Christmas (hoping she'll buy his first actual car at 16-hint, hint!) and I think he's getting the hang of it. He must be learning from his mommy who passed her UK driving test earlier this month:

The video can also be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_Aryh3HsFc

clap-clap, bang-bang

Jamie (finally) started clapping on Monday this week. The 'books' say clapping can begin between 6-8 months. Guess he's been too busy motoring around to be bothered to clap. But now that he's got it, he's definitely got it. I can't stop him, he's so pleased with himself. He also has learned go bang-bang too, though this has been going on for a while now. Here's a video to show you his new tricks:



You can also view it here: http://www.youtube.com/embed/wC-eOuAgC1o

one step closer

Jamie is getting around like a bullet these days, on all fours and on his two legs...with help. Here's some proof:



Also viewable here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiIsu4W1v3Y

And...


Also viewable here: http://www.youtube.com/embed/1BUrVG2ebiY

scoot scoot scoot

Jamie got a Little Tikes scooter for Christmas from Nanna and Granddad, which he was a little bit too short to actually ride on. Thus far, he's enjoyed pulling himself up on it, but today he was on it properly and it appears he's grown and is just working out how to make it move. He is very near his bedtime in this video, so forgive his crankiness:



You can also view it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxEYtWz2o20

nom...nom...nom...

Jamie can be a particularly noisy eater. He was cracking me up this morning. I don't think he'll be doing any fine dining any time soon:



You can also view it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmzly_VJlHE

besties...

Recently, Jamie has begun playing with Remmy, often laughing when he does. It's so cute. I took this video the other day at the end. It's not the greatest viewpoint, but it gives you the idea:



The video can also be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-XagHhW_x4

quick trip to Eastbourne

The three of us went up to Scotland for the weekend for Paul's work Christmas party (post to follow), but Friday night we drove down to Eastbourne to drop off Remmy for the weekend and it was Jamie's first trip to his grandparents' house. Jamie had his first piano lesson from Grandad. See below to see how it went--it will melt your heart! We will definitely be going down a lot more next year! He loved it and can't wait for Grandad to give him an organ lesson next time!



Video can be seen here too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdO93wRg9kw

what to do with snow days...

I nearly forgot! Jamie wasn't really up for playing in the snow so here's something he learned on one of the snow days:



It can be viewed here too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK4jJC7_Wss

everybody jump..jump...

Jamie has figured out a new trick in his exersaucer this week:



If you can't see the video here, try this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO_t9AhxSsg.