Movie Night

Here is a selection of some recent videos to be used as an exciting 'movie night' of entertainment

First, evidence (and first evidence) of Bluet and Ilona playing together. Bluet actually sat down to join Ilona. Never mind that she then proceeds to try and feed her a leaf and a stone, as this is precisely what Ilona would eat if left to her own devices.

Next, there is a free* water taxi that can take you around the world famous Zurich pond. Here it is at high speed. A great way to entertain the kids.

*included in the tram/bus ticket

Now, here is Ilona standing up on a big rock, testing it for structural integrity. This is a short excerpt of at least 10 minutes expert standing

And finally, here is Ilona in her pram

It's playtime!

And finally, Bluet and Ilona have started playing together. This mainly consisted (the one time it happened) of Bluet spinning round the spinning thing on the jungle gym, whilst Ilona kind of listened and watched. Still, it's a start

Playtime

Ilona has been getting better at this whole eating-sleeping thing, she's even started to incorporate some play into her routine. We've also seen a couple of smiles, but they almost certainly weren't real, intentional ones.

Of course, Bluet did not like all the attention Ilona was getting from the camera, so asked to be photographed sitting in this chair

Bluet's Blocks

In Block news, they are practical AND educational. Plus they make a good noise when banged together.

 

In fever news, she seems to be almost back to normal. She's been waking up around 10ish (probably as the baby pain killers wear off) and then after some comforting, returning to bed and sleeping through to 6 - this morning, she made it through to 7, so that is good).

In teeth news, she still doesn't have any.

In talking news, she is fond of saying ta-ta-ta-ta-ta; it is very sweet. I will try and capture it on audio. In the mean time here are two recordings from a couple of days ago. I like to think I can hear her say 'Dada' (if you listen really, really hard). Now if only she was actually looking at me when she said it.....

Talking at New York, NY by Ben Collins

Sounds from Wednesday morning by Ben Collins

Back Crawl

Well, you could say the preparations for Christmas are in full swing*. We have just 4 full days left before we leave for the Old Country, so our bags are well and truly packed**.

In the last week, Bluet has mainly been trying to crawl. Unfortunately she has not worked out how to go forwards, no matter how hard she tries, or how desirable the object in front of her. Instead, she can push herself backwards with her hands, often for several metres at a time. However, as this is in the wrong direction of travel, she ends up getting frustrated, especially when she winds up stuck under the sofa. This activity tends to wear her out, so she has been sleeping late into the morning***. It also doesn't make for the cutest video because of the frustration. Instead, here she is playing vigorously yesterday in a break from crawling backwards.

*But you'd be wrong. We've seen a tree being lit, that's it. For some reason Emily won't let me have my own tree this year.
**Or, more accurately, we know where our empty bags are
***i.e. 7AM. Unfortunately we still wake up at 6.15AM, in preparedness.

Dance to the music

This week we introduced 'special play time'. For a while now Bluet's playmat has been placed in front of my records, and she's become fascinated with their spines, presumably because of all the pretty colours. So this week, after dinner, whilst Emily was in the shower, I decided to demonstrate the magic of the record. First I showed her that there was a black disc inside every sleeve, then, I showed her how music was magically encoded into the grooves by placing the record on the turntable. She went wild. Clearly, this is special playtime for both me and Bluet, as I get to teach her about some classic records, and she gets to dance. Looks like she has a great sense of rhythm to me. Check it out.

Before, with the tiger from Uncle Nick

And now, the all singing, all dancing video:

Let us know in the comments which song you'd like to see her boogie to next.

Happy America Day!

Elvis Sneer perfected

What better way to celebrate our 50% American baby's first America day than dressing her in the stars and stripes and heading to the hot dog eating contest on Coney Island?

Instead, we are going to relax and read our books this morning (whilst Bluet is considerately sleeping) then we are going to enjoy this National holiday by going for a picnic in the park this afternoon. Maybe we'll catch some fireworks on the way home?

Here are some of the latest videos and pics of Bluet playing for your delectation. Taken yesterday, so almost hot off the press. I think they include footage of smiling and sneezing.

Bluet is already thinking about reading