Rolling Training...Rocky Style!

We took Oliver to a physio session last Monday - it was through the Parents as Teachers programme Oliver has been going at the local very funky primary school - they have their own kitchen garden very trendy!


At the physio session Oliver learnt a heap of different exercises to encourage his physical development and they were all easy enough to incorporate into his little play sessions through the day...it was great fun especially since Oliver was actually awake for the entire session!




Today he rolled over!



The photographs are pretty fuzzy as it is the actual first roll - okay Mum might have got very excited and dropped the camera and then scared the child with the excited YAY...but that is a whole different story!













Oliver is pretty excited with himself and he is of course a genius child and very advanced for his age..as you all know already:)

Enjoy the dodgy photography and be amazed by the stunning physical feats Oliver performs for you next time you meet!

Of course when Dad came home from work and Oliver was placed on his tummy to demonstrate new skill - nothing happened....so mum had to demonstrate what Dad missed - not quite the same!

Reading Reading Reading!

One of the first things we did when we knew Oliver was on the way - was to book him into the library for dads and bubs reading group.

Oliver has been to a couple of sessions at the library so far - but this week he went to the books and babies with Dad on Monday and another session on Tuesday with Mum!

It is so exciting these days as Oliver is actually awake through the activities that we go to.

He is also so responsive that it is great fun for Oliver, and Mum and Dad!

Of course whilst in Melbourne we visited a great bookshop and stocked up on a few new favourites!

I am so much fun.....

Oliver is 18 weeks -

and so much fun to have around....

as the photo demonstrates he is mid way through telling us just how much fun he is!

Oliver has really got the hang of grabbing things this week....

his mobile, our fingers and his newly discovered toy -

the wooden balls....

of course everything he grabs is on a fast track into his mouth - except his milk which he still seems to think is not a good idea to drink!

My First Family Holiday

We took Oliver on his first holiday to meet his Melbourne family, celebrate three birthdays and meet the newest little cousin! If you look closely you can see his boarding pass says Latte McGrath - his name before he became Oliver.

The was some grieving at the airport as we realised we would never again travel light - how much stuff can one little fellow need.....all of the bags except the small one were Oliver's!!!

The first birthday was cousin Victoria turning one....it was a lovely party and Oliver met his aunty Cath with bump (who became Benjamin) and his three great aunts Shirley, Val and Audrey.

This is a photo of the gorgeous birthday girl with her family.



On Monday we took Oliver to our favourite cafe in the State Library in the city and also a wander around ACMI...




Oliver enjoyed the coffee as much as his mum and dad and charmed the wait staff as usual!



The rest of the week had a few more cafe visits and impromptu feeding sessions in the sunshine between visits with family and friends.


We even squeezed in a visit to our favourite park - Fitzroy Gardens!




The best part of the holiday was catching up with family and friends and seeing Oliver getting to know his family and especially his Grandma.


Oliver got to celebrate his Grandma's birthday, meet cousin Benjamin (in the photo below) when he was born and spend time with Benjamin's big brothers Ashley and Lachlan.


The third celebration was Lachlan's second birthday. It was great timing to get so many wonderful occasions in one week.


We are now safely home and Oliver is tucked up in his own little cot and sleeping peacefully (we hope!)

The Prince and his Minions

Oliver's head and neck control has come along so well in the last week or so, which means we can now sit him up....

with the aid of several pillows which keeps him entertained and is great for the morning rush hour!

Oliver thinks this is great as he is Lord and Master of everything he can see (okay just over Wormy!) and his minions are at his beck and call....

Perhaps he should have a chat to Aggie as she thinks she is the Queen of the house and is used to her minions granting her every wish....quite a couple!

Oliver loves sitting up to play with his gym and demonstrates fantastic concentration...

until those pesky toes show up in his line of vision....

then he has to investigate what those toes are doing...

which often results in a tumble - oopsie daisie lucky the pillows are soft!

Never too young to become an activist

We hope that Oliver grows up with a strong social conscience and lives an active and ethical life.....and obviously his aunt thinks so too!



Margi has sent Oliver this fantastic little suit which is organic and educational....he wore it for our beach walk in the hope that any whales passing the Newcastle coast would surface for a chat...alas no luck this week!

New PJ's

"There is nothing quite like getting new pyjamas to lift one's spirits.. soft and comfy and hey look I can't wiggle through!!"

We have invested in some lovely new pyjamas after Oliver's tricks last week. He seems to be very happy and has not escaped so far......

Oliver loves playing in his cot when he wakes up and on some days will happily chat to himself and Miffy for quite some time...allowing Mum and Dad to make the much needed coffee!!!

We are trying to encourage tummy time and first thing in the morning seems to be a great hit.....

Today was Oliver's immunisation - a little early so that he can go to Melbourne.... he was a brave little fellow cried a little and then went to sleep... Mum and Dad cried a little and wanted to go to sleep!

Sleeping through the night...or maybe not......

Oliver has been sleeping through the night for the last two weeks - he is doing really well except for one little glitch....

Last Monday night he let out a blood curdling scream at about 5am....racing in thinking the worst Oliver was found in just his nappy at the opposite end of the cot to where he was lovingly tucked in....

Mummy not operating on full strength (remember it is 5am) yells out to Daddy who is still asleep - "What on earth are you thinking, not dressing Oliver and just leaving him in the cot without wrapping!!"

Hmmm.... on closer inspection it appeared that Oliver was giggling!

Further inspection of the child by both parents at this stage reveals that Oliver has wriggled out of his clothes, his tight wrap, his outside wrap and his blanket..... which are exactly where they should be... at the other end of the cot!

Some loving words were exchanged between the parents (okay there was an awful lot of laughing) and some cuddles for Oliver and thanks to God that at least his nappy was still on!

Everyone went back to bed....until Tuesday morning 5am.....yep cue giggling from Oliver......he thought this was a great trick!

Caught in the act!

No Sleep & first mobile blog post

Normally, I'd have a sleep between 9-11am, but so far today, I haven't slept at all! SURPRISE!!!

That's me in the photo, under a blanket in my baby capsule. The cafe is pretty noisy, but I'm able to sleep through noise - as I got used to it in ICU in my first two weeks.


Today... Dad's writing my blog on location while mum talks to our friend Megan. Dad's using his EEEPC 700, which has just come back from the 77th repair. I don't know what "that blasted thing" means, but it has something to do with his baby computer. Anyway, since dad is doing my blog from the cafe, the wireless internet must be working... and I haven't heard him say that funny phrase this time.

Anyway, must doze now.
Don't forget to leave me a comment! O.

Sunshine, coffee and toes....

The weather is fantastic in Newcastle and Oliver is enjoying his sleep at the beach....this is a corner of the Newcastle Baths - it is very iconic and features in many local wedding photos.....hopefully a long time before Oliver is standing here in wedding photos!


We had the obligatory coffee...good for the soul and increases the ability of mummy to function on limited sleep....



Oliver has discovered his toes this week...

he especially loves the car seat as the angle is just right to observe those things that wiggle....


amazing they seem to wiggle when I move my feet...hey wait a minute are they attached to me?






Please note the lovely fish trousers the only thing to wear for a walk on the beach...