My First Picnic

We went on our first picnic with Oliver on Sunday - this was a transplanted Father's Day picnic as well. We had always talked about having a little one when we went on picnics together so it was completely wonderful to experience our imaginings!




Oliver is completely relaxed eating lunch wherever he is! He experienced the grass between his toes - it must be spring!

Twelve Weeks Old

Oliver is twelve weeks old today - it seems both so long ago that we found out that Oliver - or Latte as he was known then was coming into our lives and only yesterday that he actually arrived.



The last twelve weeks have been all the adjectives that every new parent uses to describe the life changing event. The things we thought we would struggle with turned out to be easier and the strangest things bring us to our knees.



Nothing quite compares to the gummy dribbly grin we get when we wake Oliver in the morning - or the smile that slowly emerges when he recognises one of us.....of course we could do with his instruction manual - which we have misplaced - so if you see it floating around please send it through!





Oliver is a great joy in our lives although there is some adjustment going on as we have been by ourselves living away from family for fourteen years and to have someone else in our lives on a daily basis is both exciting and exhausting.






We have started the blog as a memory for Oliver and a way for his family and friends to keep up to date with his adventures.





The photos from the top are:
1. Oliver 9 weeks old at his Welcome Party
2. Oliver 2 days old in NICU
3. Oliver 2 weeks old first day at home
4. Oliver 10 weeks old with Maisie and his floor mat
5. Oliver with Mum and Dad in NICU
6. Oliver being blessed by Jigme

Another Present

This time from Trish and Paul - it completes the set of wooden rattles that Mum and Dad had already bought when Oliver was Latte.

Oliver is demonstrating his fantastic grip of the rattle (ok so Mum might have put it in his hand!)- a few seconds later he bopped himself in the nose after swinging the rattle around his head. Although we think Oliver is gifted and advanced for his age - his movements are still quite reflex based and his idea of comedy is developing!

Oliver's New Car

Oliver received another fantastic present from his London cousin Giulia - a new car! It is lovely and squishy and has a rattle built in - when Oliver is old enough to watch Pixar films - we will be showing him this cool short - about someone else with a new car!

Giulia also sent Oliver his change time toy - which his Perth granny christened Maisie! Oliver has long chats to Maisie telling her all about his hopes and dreams! He smiles his gummy smile and chats away!

Tummy Time

A few weeks ago at the parenting group that Oliver goes to - they suggested placing something underneath his chest so that he is raised and not completely flat - he now loves tummy time.

His neck control has come so far in the last few weeks - he is almost able to hold his head without lolling side to side......he is also starting to look around alot more when on his tummy......

He is still a very very happy fellow and has started to smile respond more and more. This morning both of us were greeted with a smile and loads of kicking and stretching at the early morning wake up call!

First Swing

Oliver had his first swing - assisted by Dad.....he seemed to really love the movement and was happy in the lovely breeze and dappled sunlight.

It finished a very busy Sunday - which started with coffee by the beach - maybe that was more for Mum and Dad!

It was time to give you your first bath at home. Dad set up your baby bath on top of the washing machine. (And made sure it was turned off - otherwise the spin cycle may have turned your bath into a spa - and given you a big surprise!)

Meanwhile, Grandma Marlene got you ready, and brought you to the laundry...

Now, it was time for dad to put you in the bath... and you LOVED it. You looked around and made gurgly sounds...

And dad kept you entertained while he made sure you were all clean and shiny. You looked so little in your baby bath...

...but you seemed quite happy in the warm water.

Dad even stopped being as nervous about bathtime....

And once we'd dried you off, it was time to wrap you up again, and have a cuddle in the window seat. Of course, you and mum weren't the only ones enjoying the window seat.

Hmm, what's that fluffy thing there......?

Lets hear it for the grannies!

For the first few weeks we had you home Oliver, mum and dad were still very tired from the hospital, and we were learning how to look after you. Luckily, we had two lovely mums of our own that were staying with us, and they kept offering to look after you at night!

Yes - grandma Florinda and grandma Marlene would send your mum and dad to bed as soon as we'd given you your 10pm feed! How lovely! What super grannies you have!

Electric Dreams

Mum & dad grew up in the 1980's, at opposite ends of Australia. Mum was in Perth (the far left of the map) and dad was in Melbourne (the far right of the map). Even though they didn't meet until years later, then both liked the same film when they were 13.

Electric Dreams.

Here's the trailer...



Now, we're going to show you the film one day Oliver, so we won't tell you what happens. OK, maybe we'll just tell you about one part. Something sad happens to a boy and girl. They decide they don't want to be sad anymore, so they get in a car and drive somewhere that's nicer. As they drive, this song plays on the radio...



As we'd been in the hospital for SUCH a long time (over a week!) we were a bit sad and tired. But then... on Friday night, they said we could take you home! So Dad got the car ready, and once mum put you in the car, dad pressed play on his mp3 player, so a special song could play...

My, what a lovely birthday present!

Mum's birthday is 5 days before your, Oliver. And dad's - is 5 days after. Aren't we clever?

Anyway, Dad's special day is July 2nd, and this year, his present was the fact that you could come back to our room with us. Hooray!

This meant that instead of waking up and walking to ICU at 8.30 in the morning (& staying there till 10pm) we could have you in OUR room! You'd be there when we woke up - and there when we went to bed! This was very, very lovely. (Even if mum was noticing that sometimes she'd wake up early in the morning and hear TWO lots of snuffles coming from different parts of the room!)

The photo above shows you demonstrating your sleeping skills Oliver, and mum enjoying your enhanced portability, due to being very small.

Then, the next day, we got even better news...