baby wayne

books...

As strange as it seems, given that he can't really understand what he's looking at or what you're saying to him, Otis loves being read to. Perhaps he likes the colours, or maybe the tone in your voice, or maybe he's just advanced for his age?

We read storybooks to him when he's awake and happy to sit up and look; his favourites are Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy and Dr. Seuss' Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!

Sometimes I read to him when he's nodding off to sleep, usually whatever I'm reading at the time - articles in the New Yorker, or Who magazine - he's very interested in what's happening with Brad and Angelina. We just finished Blueback, a Tim Winton story.

the great outdoors...

Otis is so interested in everything now; he loves looking at leaves blowing in the wind, and hearing birds chirping. Yuki and I try to take him out in the pram at least once a day. He loves going out, but is starting to be frustrated by lying on his back in the pram bassinet - today we attached the seat so tomorrow he can sit up and see the world.

bath time...

Otis lets out the most gorgeous squeals and squawks when he's in the bath. Even at his grumpiest he is quickly placated by the warm water and lavender bath oil - of course, the grumpy pout returns once you take him out! When he's not grumpy, he loves being wrapped up in the towel afterwards, and getting a relaxing massage with some sorbolene.

gymini and his zoo mobile...

The gymini is a little rug with arches attached, and cute animal toys dangling down. He's quite taken with the purple elephant, reaching out and swatting it with his hands.

He can lay in bed for ages, chatting away happily to the brightly coloured animals swirling above his head.

love to you all,
kimberley xxx

test avi file upload...by downloading it
if you can't play it - get a player for windows or for macs

After a number of visits to our local shopping centre - a small and tired affair called Northcote Plaza (or the Plaza for a more familiar feel) - Otis recently graduated to a grander scale of mall. A daytime shopping trip to Northland.

Northland was populated by groups of older people taking advantage of the relative warmth and shelter, at least one third of local school students and people with babies and prams. Fortunately, we managed to escape the clutches of a thousand shops that appear essentially the same with only a few new items for Otis' wardrobe. A wardrobe that expands to keep up with his expanding tummy.

One of the notable features of the mall experience is the eating. Whilst we had already discovered the joys of Michel's Patisserie when Otis was four days old and we ventured to the Plaza, it is fair to say that the increase in size of the centre only increases the range of bad choices. Eccentric millionaire and Chairman of the Gourment Academy, Takeshi Kaga, would not be inviting anyone from Northland to visit his Kitchen Stadium. And nor should he. The people's acclaim is not theirs.

We also visited a large toy store which was the scene of some mild entertainment as Otis waited patiently for mum and dad to try on silly wigs.

Of course, we were relieved to discover that the following item was for sale:

Unfortunately, it is a little too big for Otis at this stage but we can rest assured that in a couple of months he will be equipped and ready to quash any civil disturbance in the neighbourhood.

Yesterday Otis and I went to our first crying session at the movies. It was lovely to get out and see a film, my first since Otis was born, if a little strange sitting in a dimly lit cinema with lots of other women all wheeling prams up and down the aisles. He fell asleep in the car on the way there, and I was hopeful that he would stay blissfully asleep for the duration of the film. Of course, he woke up the minute we walked in the door, but happily sat on my lap for the first half, briefly wanting to be walked around before nodding off again.

A fun time was had by all

I am pleased to report that I have started to enjoy mothers group, and am actually almost looking forward to going tomorrow. All of the women are quite friendly, but at first I didn't feel like we had all that much to talk about, besides having very small babies. Last week we did a session on baby massage - Otis and I didn't get to participate in the class because he slept through the whole thing, but it was enough to watch everybody else doing it. We chatted to a couple of really lovely women who I would quite like to see outside of the group once it ends, so that's promising.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon,
love Kimberley

Otis had his 2 month immunisations on Monday. He was immunised against Diptheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio, Hepatitis B, Pneumococcal and Hib (the bacteria can cause meningitis and pneumonia). The whole episode was pretty traumatic for baby and parents both. He cried a bit whilst having the injections, but it was afterwards at home that he got really hysterical about the whole thing. He developed a bit of a temperature, and was generally pretty miserable, screaming for hours and being completely inconsolable. He was still a bit grizzly and sooky yesterday, but was well enough in the afternoon for a coffee with aunty vicki.

Otis and Aunty Vicki

I really believe in immunisation, but question the necessity of giving so many to babies so young, and its so difficult to find balanced information about it. We were always planning to have him immunised, and had thought that we might wait until he was a bit older, but the absence of detailed information about it meant that we decided to comply with the recommended schedule in the end. I was really surprised by how nervous the whole thing made me. In abstract, the small risks of severe adverse reactions seem perfectly acceptable, but when its your child, somehow the small risks turn into high probability in your mind, and more than one panicky moment was had on that first night.

Enjoying his gymini on a happier day

Otis also enjoyed his first bottle feed this week. I have been slowly building up a supply of milk in the freezer for a time when I might be away for more than 3 hours, and finally that time came! I attended the beautiful wedding of my dear friends Andrea and Cameron on Saturday. We had a gorgeous meal at Mrs Jones, and a fantastic time was had by all. The newlyweds are heading off to Canada in a week, and it was a lovely way to say goodbye.

A goodbye snuggle for Aunty Anj

Stay tuned for more exciting Otis adventures,
love Kimberley and Otis xxx

Otis was barely 15 hours old when he joined in the chorus for the very first time. June 12 will be remebered as Otis' birthday but it also heralded as the coming of the chosen one - the victory baby.

Of course, by this I mean that since Otis' birth his football team - the North Melbourne Football Club - has won six out of a possible eight games. Otis has now been to five games and seen three victories and has been the catalyst for two last quarter comebacks that have fallen narrowly short of victory. Last Sunday Otis inspired a 5 goals-in-7-minutes last quarter revival that saw North Melbourne steal an unlikely and undeserved victory. Players were heard to comment after the match that they had been "doing it for Otis" and that it was time "to repay Otis' faith in us as a group." After kicking his matchwinning goal Nathan Thompson paid tribute to Otis and said that the thought of Otis is what steadied his nerves.

It is quite clear that Otis really likes the football and despite his concerns over the price of 'food' and the substandard baby change facilities on level 3 at Telstra Dome that a lifetime of successful North Melbourne barracking will ensue.

Although most of the rest of Otis' activities appear to be well photographed there are no football photos. Instead, there is an image of Otis' first hero on television - a replay of a game that he did attend.

Glenn Archer

Whilst Glenn is an early role model to Otis it is unlikely that Otis will ever recall the joys of watching Glenn play or the salty tears of sadness that tinged Glenn's inevitable retirement. So the question becomes: what number should adorn the back of Otis' first North Melbourne jumper and which player is worthy of the lofty accolade? Nominations are sought and an inital shortlist is provided below...

Leigh Brown

The "Boggler" has been dubbed by some as a Gippsland bogan but this probably is more an expression of self-loathing than a reason to doubt the fun-loving full-back who is a favourite with the kids.

Chad Jones

Unfortunately named Chad and posessing a slightly hunched running style this big West Australian has plenty of talent and has been touted as the next Corey McKernan - this will mean different things to different people

Jesse Smith

Son of former best clubman, Ross, and deemed worthy of inheriting number 10 from Anthony Stevens, young Jess has played a number of games this year. Slightly gangly and googly-eyed but looks, as they say, a likely type.

David Trotter

One of three players on the list with reputably curly hair. Has recently played his first game and looks like he could be a player of the future. Bears a passing resemblance to Minnie Driver.

Your votes, comments and suggestions are encouraged and appreciated. For a full list of candidates

The weekend before last we went on a little family holiday to Walkerville. Ili came down from Sydney, and Otis was excited to finally meet his aunt. We spent most of our days lounging around admiring the gorgeous views, and taking gentle strolls along the beach.

Otis and Aunty Ili

Otis and I went to our first mothers group meeting last week, but since it was neither thrilling nor terrible I won't write anything about it here. The one thing I did discover at mothers group is that Otis is a big baby. He is bigger than most of the other babies there, including those who are 6 and 7 weeks older than him.

He's becoming so much more alert and aware of the world. Over the last week or so he has really started to enjoy going out for walks and looking around. He loves looking at the leaves, and sitting under the clothesline in his chair watching the washing blowing around. He's also doing a lot more smiling.

See you soon,

love Kimberley and Otis xxx