Silly Games with Dad

Alex would like to make an announcement


Baby Dunning Too is due 14th February 2009.

So behind!

There are all sorts of things that I was going to post about but never got around to. Here are some photos of our holiday in Malta in May!!

I was lucky enough to go to a conference, so we took a couple of days leave before hand to have a family holiday. The idea was to go to a little island called Comino (with only one hotel) so that Duncan could do lots of diving. Of course it didn't turn out happening that way ... we went to the island but the weather gods conspired against us. Fortunately Duncan managed one dive, so all was not lost. He was cursing though because the diving was cancelled because of poor visibility. When he did get his dive in it was still "bad". Only about 12 metres! He told the divemaster about diving in The Netherlands and holding his compass to his mask in order to read it. 12 meters!

Goodbye rainy Holland


Hello Sunny Malta! Our boat to and from Comino.


The "resort"


The "Blue lagoon" which the island is famous for. It looks stunning in the postcards ... ok in real life.


and from the water


Island architecture



See Daddy did get in the water!



and Alex had his first swim too.


It's cold!


Alex also showed us that he knew what to do with an apple!



After our "relaxing" time on Comino we headed to the Hilton on the main island. The venue of the conference. It was the most relaxing time ever. Our room was great, the food was excellent and even the conference was ok. Duncan and Alex spent most of their days hanging out by the pool ... every break I would come and feed Alex. It was a tough time for Duncan sitting in the sun and drinking beer. All that pool lazing and the fact that we ate in the hotel every night (the Thai restaurant was the best) resulted in the largest "food and drink" bill we've ever had. It was worth it though.

My pool boys

The water was just a couple of degrees warmer than on Comino.


and on the way to the plane at the airport. Alex had to hold on just like his Dad.

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.