Week 8

This week has been a busy one, we collected the cross-stitch that Granny "T" made for Finlay from the framers, and it has pride of place on the wall in his nursery. We have been doing a lot more stretching and playing on the play-mat, and Finlay can support himself on his elbows if he is laid on his front.

We have been doing a little bit of baby massage, but next week Annie & Finlay are going to go to a proper class. Finlay has also started to mimic what you do quite a lot.

Finlay has discovered the joys of staying awake In the greenhouse and watched while we planted lots of vegetables. He particularly likes watching the reflections in the glass, that and lights, and mirrors.

Finlay also likes other babies! We went to see Danny & Donna and their little Dylan who is 4-weeks younger, and Finlay copied Danny when he stuck his tongue out - thanks for that Danny great habit!!

On Sunday we went out for lunch with some friends and Finlay's friend Charley was there! Charley has really grown, and although not properly on solids, liked chocolate sauce!! Finlay had a bottle while we eat and was really good and didn't get to fidgety.

And when we were getting ready to leave Finlay took Nik's bank card, as if he was going to pay for us all!!

Also we finally got around to opening Finlay's Child Trust Fund, the Government's new initiative to encourage children to save!

And last, but not least, thanks for all the messages on the discussion board!

The cross-stitch that Granny "T" made for Finlay

Finlay stretching out on his play mat

Finlay playing in a mini-ball pool

Finlay and Charley out for a meal

Week 7

This week started with Annie's birth-day (a term which has so much more relevance now we have had our own child). Finlay bought Annie some tomato plants and a card which he put a smudged thumb print on (it took Nik ages to get the ink off Finlay's hand!!). After the lovely bank holiday, the weather remained good for most of the week, and this allowed Finlay and Annie to get out in the garden during the day. Finlay even stayed awake some of the time outside - its the fresh air you know!  On Tuesday Annie and Finlay met Nik for lunch in a park near Nik's work and we had a walk, sandwiches and Finlay had a feed. When Nik got home from work we had a little more time in the garden on Tuesday and Thursday evening, getting the greenhouse staging sorted.

This weekend Malcolm came around and brought Finlay a wonderful gift, it's an inflatable ring covered in soft material, with a flower shaped blanket that goes in the middle. There are loads of ways you can use it, but Finlay likes sitting in the middle of the ring and looking around. It also has some cool animals with it, Finlay and Nik particularly like the chicken which clucks when you shake it. Very Cool!

The weather was good, so Annie and Nik finished off the greenhouse staging under Finlay's supervision. We now have tomatoes (from Finlay) and strawberries (from Bríd) all growing fine. Nik also finished the path to the railway line and Annie helped to finished the fencing on the veggie patches (again with Finlay supervising), and we have put some of the weed matting down. We reckon Finlay's first solids will have to be potatoes from the garden!

Finlay weighed in at 4.6kg (10 lb 2 oz) this week, and has continued to straighten his legs and uncurl his hands, also his long range vision is improving. Oh, and last but not least, thanks for the messages on the discussion board.

Finlay says "I'm this tall"

A Birthday Card for Mummy

Week 6

Wow, this has been Finlay's 6th week already - he is now 1½ months old. We had Grandad and Nanna "R" up with us and they both enjoyed helping to give Finlay his one bottle-feed a day.

Finlay has been interacting more and enjoys lying on his play mat, with the bright colours and there is a mirror he can look at. He has also found he can fling his arm out and rattle a mouse which has a rattley foot that his cousins Alistair and Katie gave him.

We were donated a "bumbo" (www.bumbobabyseat.com) by Diane, which is a seat that helps young babies sit upright. He is a little young for it, but sits up okay and can support his head! Finlay was also very lucky to receive a Stieff "Fynn" teddy bear from Great Uncle Keith and Great Auntie Vivian.

Finlay with a bib he got from Steve P and the girls (Kate, Ellie, Gillie)

Nanny "R" giving Finlay a bottle

Finlay having fun and playing on his colourfull mat

Week 5

This week saw more visitors, including Rachel and her little girl Alex, along with Claire and little Lizzie, who were very welcome lunch guests, kindly bringing pizza and chocolate cake with them! As a seasoned mum, Rachel found no problem having cuddles with Finlay, while dishing up and eating!!

Two firsts for this week were: Annie dressing finlay in proper clothes - well trousers, socks and a Granny "T" knitted cardie over a vest; and the first time sleeping in the big cot-bed, which made Finlay look very small.

The health visitor didn't weigh Finlay this week, but he's still getting bigger and certainly not letting up on the feeds. And at the weekend we went on a huge shopping adventure; a walk in the park with Clarie, Dugal and wee Charley; and a trip to the Beach. Needless to say everyone was tired out afterwards.

Rachel and Finlay had great cuddles.

Finlay off on another adventure:
wearing proper trousers and cool "Soggs"