Unfortunately this update has been
rather a long time in coming. Richard started a new job at the
start of November 2000 and just simply hasn't found the time to sit
down and make the changes. However, here we are now with a
Mega-Update which includes Robin's first birthday and his second
Christmas.
1st Birthday
On 19th November Robin celebrated his first
birthday and although it ended with Robin picking up a
gastric virus it was a memorable day. Daddy baked a cake and
decorated it with a with a "1" made up of different
coloured smarties. Along with various forms
of transportation, clothes and other toys Robin became the proud owner of
a Bobby Car. Robin's legs are not quite long enough for him to
be able to push himself along so Mum and Dad have the job of
playing Chaueffeur at the moment :). Robin finds the underside
of his Bobby Car particularly interesting and so maybe this is a
sign that he is going to become a car mechanic :)
U6 Examination
In November Robin has his U6 examination and
according to the Doctor has now gone beyond the stage where he
can be called a baby.
Sounds, Words & Understanding
Robin has now begun to start forming words and
make sounds which are clearly recognisable. His current
repetoire is:
Lith
- Licht (Light)
Ha
- Heiss (Hot)
Dudee
- Beauty (our cat)
Gark
- Clark (his Teddy)
Da
- Everything else not listed above :)
Robin
understands when we ask him where his Hands, Ears, Nose, Mouth
and Feet are as he points to them and when we ask him how big he
is he stretches his arms out above his head to show what a big
boy he is. Robin will also clap when he thinks he has done
something good and waves his Daddy goodbye in the morning and
before he goes to bed in the evening.
Crawling, Standing and Walking
Robin was crawling and pulling himself up on
objects back in October 2000 but in December came the time when
he was able to stand freely without any assistance On January
9th came the big day when he took his first unaided steps. He
thought it was highly amusing and since then takes every
opportunity to go on tour with his newly discovered talent.
Robin becomes more and more stable with every day which he
practices. Crawling is now just there for "hunting"
the cat.
The purchase of Robin's first pair of shoes
was a very dramatic event and he didn't think it was
particularly amusing. Having to have his feet measured was not
one of the things which Robin particularly enjoyed and people
must have thought that we were torturing the poor chap. However,
with the aid of a toy Fireengine we managed to coax Robin into
cooperation and purchase him his first pair of "elephant"
shoes. At the start Robin was definately not sure about his new
shoes and wasn't so happy about trying them out but now he has
become used to them and even holds them up when he wants to wear
them. He has once again "found his feet".
Climbing the stairs is also one of Robin's
favourite pastimes and he can now do it without the aid of his
knees. Although coming down poses a bit more of a problem and
takes somewhat longer the technique is the right one.
Breakfast, Lunch & Teatime
As far as eating and drinking is concerned,
Robin has become very adventurous and now wants to try all the
things which Mum and Dad have. Gone are the days of pureed meals
for babys he now enjoys Joguhrts, Bread, Cheese, Zwieback,
Leicht & Cross (Rivita), Tangerines, Pears and has now moved
up to the baby meals which are really exciting (Noodles with
Ham, Chicken & Potatoes etc).
Robin has gone off drinking his powdered milk
and although he went through a phase of drinking fresh milk he
no longer wants this either. Robin will now take his own plastic
cup and drink from it when he is thirsty without the help of Mum
or Dad. His current favourites are Apple Juice mixed with
mineral water and various other fruit juices.
Sleeping
Robin has always been a good sleeper and
nothing has changed here. He regularly goes to bed between 19:30
and 20:00 and doesn't wake up for breakfast until 06:00 - 6:30
the next morning. It will be great for Mum and Dad when Robin
understands the words "Weekend" and "Lie in"
:)
Christmas
Robin's second Christmas was spent with his
Grandma and Grandpa who came over from England to stay with him.
The whole family got together on Christmas Eve and Robin's other
Grandpa prepared the meal (Hare with Dumplings) outside in
freezing temperatures. Robin was able to unpack his presents to
a certain extent on his own and received some very nice gifts
from the whole family and his Godparents. When Robin has become
proficient with his set of drums we will send him round to the
"kind" person who bought them for him :)
Sledging
One of
Robin's Christmas gifts, a sledge, experienced it's maiden
voyage late in January as this was the first occasion where
there was sufficient snow to be able to try it out. From the
"squeaks" of approval which accompanied the whole
journey, RObin seemed to be very satisfied with his new form of
transport.
What's coming ....
At
the end of January Robin will be starting his new playgroup and
will be reunited with some of his old friends from the Pekip
course.
The latest pictures (and there
are quite a few of them) can be found in the Novermber
'00, December
'00 and January
'01 sections.
