Week 13

This is actually the 3 month milestone for Finlay, not last week, I had been working on 4 week months. Oh well.

So Finlay, and more to the point, WE, have survived 13 weeks, representing Finlay's first 3 months. He has now had two sets of jabs, and he has been pretty good about them, without too serious a reaction. More importantly this means that Annie can now take Finlay swimming!!

That's if our local council hasn't closed all the pools before we get there! Don't even get Annie started on that one!

Monday involved a visit to see Claire and Charley, so the lads could kick about together. On Tuesday Annie didn't manage to get to yoga, but Finlay and Annie had a yoga session at home instead. Then there was the jabs - oh and mid- week we got our first two strawberries from the greenhouse!! Wow, they tasted good - obviously Annie and Nik had to quality check them - Finlay will have to get onto solids soon or there will be none left!

This weekend we had a big family outing to the Portsoy Boat Festival. There were lots of old sailing boats and traditional music, and we met up with Ruth (Finlay's "Fairy" God-Mother) and Steve there. Ruth was made up by the fairy wand than Finlay had helped make for her (picture next time). We all enjoyed listening to the music and Nik danced with Finlay in the sling.

While pushing Finlay around in the pram, Annie inadvertantly ran the pram into, and over the foot of, none other than... Alex Samond!! What was even more shocking, was that Scotland's First Minister didn't take this as an opportunity to kiss a cute baby in public!!

This week we also heard back from Rene who has accepted to be Finlay's "not-so-godly" godparent, or "earth-parent" or "moral guardian" as atheists term it. Rene's kids offered the following words of encouragement:

Chris said without hesitation,
"you're funny and crazy"
(both apparently positive character traits in Chris's book)

Suzan in a reflective mood said,
"well, you're not much use if Finlay will be into computer games, but you could do loads of nature and outdoory stuff with him"

Finaly this week, Annie has been sorting out Finlay's passport application, don't get Nik started on the fact that it costs £46 for 5 years, but have you ever tried to photograph a 3 month old child!! Try telling them that they are not allowed to smile, must face front, look at the camera, and keep their eyes open!! It was like the hamlet cigar advert (available on YouTube) but with more hair!!

It isn't perspective that is a very small RouteMaster bus

Nik and Finlay dancing to the music at the boat festival .

Passport photo fun! "look this way Finlay", "don't smile", "open your eyes"...

The Hamlet advert
(Note: smoking is bad for you, and very silly)

Week 12

The end of Finlay's first 3 months. He is ¼-years old!!. They seem to have gone quite quickly, but we have packed a fair few things in too!

This week it became official - we are the "Basil Fawlty" household of our area. On Tuesday a man came to measure up the window in the lounge for patio doors - Finlay took this as his queue to wake up and demand Annie's attention. The window-man went outside to do some measurements, and while doing so, let Daisy-cat in with a bird she had just caught (bad cat!). So Annie then had a crying Finlay, a bird to rescue from Daisy, and then a rather upset Daisy, having had her prey taken away from her. Annie was in hysterics (laughing) at all this and luckily the window-man saw the funny side too, with Daisy and Finlay both wailing whilst Annie tried to rescue the poor bird.

We had another session of Yoga this week, but Finlay missed most of it, because he was being grumpy... later Annie discovered why...

Annie opened Finlay's mouth to discover 2 top teeth coming through, another two at the bottom were making an appearance also, and one of the pads at the back has started to emerge - "aaarghhh" - someone doesn't want to be a baby for very long, and at this rate Annie will soon be getting fed up with feeding too!

But no-one has told Finlay that this is a little early to start teething, all the various chewable devices and soothers are designed for 4 months plus, and don't even fit in poor little Finlay's mouth. Luckily a finger seems to do the job for a short while. So the teething will account for the lovely rosy cheeks that Finlay has been displaying of late.

Nik was away on work for 3 days this week, and Annie & Finlay had to survive on their own, then on Saturday night, Nik took Finlay and let Annie have a night off in the back bedroom. Everything seemed to go smoothly, so father and son might get to stay home alone more often.

This weekend Ruth (Finlay's Godmother) came around to to show her photos from her Nepal trekking holiday. Imogen and Ken came around too and we all enjoyed seeing the mountains and the scenery and hearing how Ruth rode an elephant and saw rhinoceroses.

Ken that's not how you play with the Octotunes!

Finlay in his first dungarees

Ruth - Finlay's "Fairy" God-Mother.

The Family - 3 months in!!

Daddy puts a folded real-nappy on Finlay.

Week 11

This week Finlay went to baby yoga which he really enjoyed, particularly the singing while ringing bells. No baby massage class this week, but plenty of massaging anyway. He is really getting into his kicking, so much so that the yoga teacher asked whether he was usually this active, when Annie said yes, she reckoned that was why he is so hungry - burning up all those calories.

On Wednesday Nik had to go down to the cadets where he helps out, so Finlay and Annie came along too and got lots of hugs from Esther, who thinks he's adorable. Then on Friday there was a beer festival in town and Finlay and Mummy stayed at home, while Nik had a late-night pass.

Thursday we all went late-night shopping in John Lewis (which has excellent baby changing facilities). Annie was missing having a laptop (she had to give her work one back when she finished last week), which allowed her to be able to keep in touch with everyone whilst feeding, rocking Finlay, etc. So Finlay bought Mummy a new laptop with Daddy's credit card. Nik knew that Finlay getting a hold of his card was a bad idea (see Week 8).

In return Daddy looked after Finlay all Saturday morning whilst Annie had her hair cut. Nik & Finlay worked in the garden during the morning, trying to get the veggie patches finished. Then we all worked in the garden in the afternoon. Finlay is not too sure about Annie's new haircut - she looks different!

Sunday we had a trip to the beach, and then finally got the veggie patches finished. We also had Rene & Anke around to see us, which was really nice, and they brought Finlay some shoes for when he is a little older.

Finlay kick...kick...kicking!

The veggie patch, with potatoes, radishes & spring onions.

Week 10

On Monday two of Finlay's girlfriends came around, Ellen and Christina. The mums and wee ones all went for a walk along the railway line and did about a 3 km round-trip. When they got back they all enjoyed kicking and playing on the floor together (the babies that is, the mums just had tea!), and for a while they all held hands.

On Wednesday another of Finlay's girlfriends came around, when Emily and little Khaya came over along with Imogen. More tea and this time popcorn too.

This week also saw Finlay's second baby massage session. He really enjoy this, and we practice at home too. They say the massage can reduce crying, help relieve colic and wind, encourage better sleeping, and may boost the immune system. It also increases the bond between you and your baby. All we know is he loves it!

We all went for a pub lunch on Friday for Annie's last day of work. There were about 20 people there and a fair few babies and toddlers. Finlay got lots of cuddles from all of Annie's colleagues. After 10 years working for the oganisation, it was the end of a chapter, but Finlay has certainly started a new one for us.

At the weekend we had a barbeque with Nik's work colleagues coming over. Dougal & Claire came with little Charley who gave us lots of cheeky grins. Finlay was very good, and enjoyed the first party he has been to.

On Sunday, Finlay was very good and didn't wake up too early; not that Daddy had a big hangover, but it was nice to have a little lie in. After tidying up we all went for a cycle along the railway line. Nik carried Finlay in the sling; Finlay enjoyed seeing where he was going, but fell asleep on the way back. After such an exciting day or two, Finlay and the cats decided it had all been too much and crashed out.

Finaly, the other bit of news this week is we have started experimenting with real eco-friendly nappies. The local council run a scheme where you borrow a bucket of all different types to try them out. The technology has advanced, and you now get fitted ones as well as the old flat terries towels. You also get these waterproof covers that go on the outside. So we have tried a couple of types, and are remaining open minded about the whole concept - even after a "Code 4" nappy event!! We will try the terry towel just to compare, but maybe later in the week. We'll update you all next Sunday!

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Finlay and two of his girlfriends, Ellen & Christina
(they were all holding hands!)

Finlay and Khaya, another girlfrined!

Finlay goes for his first bike ride on the railway line

Finlay & Charley; what a pair of rascals they are going to be

Week 9

Wow, the start of month three! Where did the time go to? (note to self - Read the blog, then you'll know! That's why you're writing it!!).

Finlay had his first baby massage class with the anti-natal group this week. In true Finlay style, he decided he wanted a big feed just before the class, so much for no feeding within 30 mins of massage! He was quite happy smiling away, lying naked with a huge belly, and only started crying 30 mins later when Annie put his clothes back on - we think he is more of a naturist than a naturalist.

We all went to the doctors for the developmental check, and the doctor was very happy and said he was fine - although he was lazy and didn't lift his head as well for the doctor as he does for us at home. But then he showed off, by looking left and right, and all around the room - the doctor was very impressed!

Finlay also had his first set of immunisations at the same doctors visit (that's why daddy went along too). This involved a jab in each leg, for Polio, Whooping Cough, Tetanus, Hep B, Diphtheria and Pneumococcal infection. Finlay was very brave and didn't cry during the injections. Not until we got home. This was followed by a tricky 48 hours where he had a raised temperature so Annie was back to the doctors 24 hours later because he was reacting badly to the jabs. He seems to have got over them now (Sunday evening) with only a slightly elevated temperature remaining.

On Saturday we managed to spend 5 hours shopping - mad, considering neither of us like shopping much. But, Lidl, Aldi, Asda, B&Q, Mothercare and Tesco later, we finally got home. Finlay was quite happy having his feeds in Aldi and B&Q carparks. A few passersby got more than they bargained for seeing Annie & Finlay mid feed though!

Sunday saw a trip to the garden centre so that Annie could treat Nik to lots of yummy cakes for helping Finlay get his jabs. There were lots of people and bright colours and new things to see. Finlay is particularly fascinated by other babies and just faces in general. It seems that as long as there is lots going on, Finlay is happy to stay awake quite a bit of the day. This however can then mean he gets tired and teasy at nighttime (just like Annie really!).

Finlay has also got to grips with grasping things!! He has a bouncy chair with things to pull on it, and this weekend he pulled the rattle and made the bird spin. He then got quite frustrated because he couldn't manage to do it again for quite some time. He also enjoyed stroking Rolo and Rolo was happy getting any attention - watch out when he grabs your ears Rolo.

What indignity - being changed on a table! outside! in public!

Finlay is quite happy sitting in the bean bag and likes the noise it makes

Finlay got a new sun hat too, a little big but he'll grow into it (and out of it) soon enough

Nik & Finlay saw this great chair at the garden center, it even has a drink holder