Spring finally arrived, bringing blooming orchards, warmer days, trips to the dunes and the Abel Tasman, water play, and plenty of time outside. At home, he is becoming more and more independent: climbing out of bed, holding his own bottle, experimenting with a push-bike, standing up on his own, and generally taking every opportunity to test just how much he can get away with.
There was plenty of family time too — helping Mum in the garden, watching Dad cook and fix things, playing with his big brother’s toys, visiting the chickens, meeting other babies, and discovering the garden one small adventure at a time. Even a few days of being sick during the school holidays couldn’t slow him down for long.
He is eating well, sleeping well, exploring everything, and getting faster and braver by the day. And with his first birthday now only a month away, it suddenly feels very real: our little baby is almost one.
One of our lemon trees got blown over by the stormBubba is helping with the harvestThe weather is unsteady, alternating winter and summerBuying a new rain jacket ain’t easyCan’t wait for warmer weatherSunny day, grumpy facePeeking up, watching dad cookThe boys going shoppingNapping at the dunesEnjoying the orchard in full bloomGetting carried around in the wagonHelping mommy with the plantsStopping by at the chicken coopBack inside with the rainbow snakeLook who’s got his own shopping cart!Can now elegantly hop out of the bed without fallingAvocado for breakfastFruit puree snackMixed salad for lunchNot always that excitedVeggies and chicken for dinnerSleeping well-fed afterwardsCan you hear the silence in the house?Meeting his baby friendsSmiiiile!Walking hand in hand with mommyIn the hammock swingIt’s spring holidays, and we’re sickThat won’t stop him from playing with the brother’s toysHuge difference in height, 4 years apartHopping around on dad’s tummyFaster!Fun at homeTaking every possible risk there isTrying to master the push-bikeI shall stand on my own!Splashing around at the water park, aka bathroomLook, there is a bunny in the garden!Look, there is dad fixing the robo mower in the garden!Drawing what he just sawThe bunny and the dadThanks, I’ll hold my milk bottle by myself now.Let’s go out, white on whiteThe gloop in the turf trayWeird, sticky stuff.Bubbles!Out with the babies in the Abel Tasman.Just one month to gountil the big party.Eleven months!
