1st Birthday Dinner

On the evening of the 13th, we went out to dinner. It was pretty simple ... just a meal in an "English" Pub, the Sherlock Holmes, which is just a couple of blocks from our house.

We fed Alex before we left home, and got there about 6.45. It was the earliest I've eaten for a long time! Usually I put Alex to bed (which can take until 9pm) before I cook dinner. Of course Duncan and I were there, as well as Aunty Emma and Liz, who hadn't been able to make it to Alex's party on the weekend. I think we headed home about 8.30pm. Poor wee Alex was shattered, he didn't want to be in the pram so Duncan carried him on his shoulders, but he could barely keep his head up.

Birthday Presents

In addition to all the generous gifts that Alex received at his party, we opened a few presents on his birthday. He had a great time and was really spoilt.



Look at this pose! I can see modelling in his future.

Alex's First Birthday Party

Last Saturday 9th August, we held Alex's party. We're lucky to have a little park with "club house" just down the road from our apartment. We booked the club house for the afternoon and crossed out fingers for good weather. Fortunately, everything went to plan, the rain held off and fun was had by all.

Aunty Emma came from Denmark a few days before the party and helped me with preparations. We madly baked and cooked during Alex's naps and on Saturday morning, Duncan had babysitting duties while we did the last minute things.

Our "theme" was balloons. Emma was in charge of icing the cupcakes ... didn't she do a great job?


Here's the food ready and waiting at the club house


Alex was his normal busy self - exploring everything.


Blowing out the candle! And the only pic of the three of us. We must do better on his "real" birthday.


Alex likes cake - he must have the "Bain" sweet tooth

Aunty Emma likes taking "arty" photographs

Playing in the park


Spoilt with presents


PS All pictures by Aunty Emma. Thanks!!

11 Months Old - Walking with Buzzy Bee

Today Alex turned 11 Months. We can't believe that in one month he will be a year old. It really is amazing to look at him and see all that he has learnt to do, but at the same time, he's still our little guy.

Alex seems to have taken great strides in the last month. He really has no trouble walking, most nights he doesn't need to feed and we've even had some nights when he's slept from 8.30pm to 6.30am. Of course I still wake up several times. We seem to have trouble getting him to nap on the weekends, but at Daycare, he apparently sleeps like a log. We obviously don't have the right tricks.

BBQ for Dani's Birthday

Dani and his wife Colet who both work with Charlotte hosted a BBQ on Saturday. Alex had a great time playing with the big kids (20 months to 8 years). Mum and Dad had a great time eating delicious food cooked by Lucien.

Visit from Virginia

In June, Virginia came and stayed for a week. Alex had fun with his new friend, and Mum enjoyed catching up with her old friend. VJ took some great pics of Alex.




We also had fun creating some artwork.

Alex loves his fruit

It doesn't matter what it is, but he has to eat it himself.

Stair Master

Alex has learnt how to climb the stairs. We're going to have to be careful to keep the door to the hall (and stairs) closed!

I love books

I just need to learn to read them and not chew them!

Expert Walker

Alex can walk quite proficiently now. He will even often walk instead of crawl ... a sign of how confident he is.