A little man on the move

Another change is in store for us. Owen has started crawling (well sliding/rolling/caterpillaring around) to grab hold of anything that catches his interest (which is everything and anything at the moment). I have already sourced some gates for the stairs and on the weekend Brendon will be on his hands and knees, viewing the world from Owen's level, to get rid of any dangerous/precious items that Owen may feel the need to eat/tug on/break/hide. God really knew what he was doing when he created man. If there was no break in between teeth appearing parents would have a maximum of one child! Owen is showing all the signs of another tooth appearing, only this time we are onto him. Today was the first time in the history of Owen that he did not enjoy his walk in his pram. He yelled, then cried and when I went to sit him up-right he stuck his legs out and was as stiff as a board. Yesterday he dined alfresco in the summer heat (with 100% humidity) and decided he was missing his afternoon nap so stayed up for 5 hours before bedtime. Brendon took him on a cycle ride to distract him and his bath time was a real mission. After being asleep 1 hour he woke up crying and thrashing around in his bed until a paracetamol was administered and then we did not hear a peep for a good few hours. 1 tooth down +/- 19 to go!

Douglas & Lynese's stopover

It was nice to see Douglas & Lynese on-route to the USA. They had so many gifts for us I was sure that there was hardly any space for their clothes & USA gifts too! We spent time catching up and taking Owen to the animal farm (although the crowing roosters made him cry). On Friday Brendon, Owen & I swum at the gym pool whilst Granny and Grandpa waved at Owen from behind the big glass windows. It is good to know that in 3 weeks time they will be resident just across the water in the UK. Owen (and his parents) will enjoy regular visits.

8 months old!


Tomorrow Owen is 8 months old. I cannot believe how time flies. Just the other day he was a helpless little person now he tries to feed himself with his fork and gets it right some of the time. He sits so well now which gives me more freedom to do household tasks. Hence, dad has less tasks to do on the weekend! On the last couple of trips to the shops he sits in the shopping trolley and smiles at all and sundry.
Today Owen & I went to the clinic so he could be weighted and measured. 10.1kg's and 74.5cm's! Brendon commented that he is half of our checked-in airplane baggage allowance. He is such a happy little man, still loves the trees & flowers and basically anything that moves. Owen is now able to take things with both hands now and they don't always have to go via his mouth. I have been trying to get him to switch to formula now as he has become a biter, even at 5am. I have no humour with this new phase. So now I first try formula and then if that does not work he gets expressed milk.

We are all looking forward to seeing Douglas & Lynese on Thursday on-route to America and then UK. They will be amazed at how much their little grandson has changed. He interacts so well now I am sure all will have fun together. As they are going to be just over the channel we look forward to seeing them as often as we can in the time they will be in the UK.

Owen's first ride on a bicycle

This afternoon the weather was better than predicted so Brendon & I decided to seize the moment and take Owen for his first ride on mom's bicycle. It started off a wobbly affair with Owen wanting to look around the side of the windscreen (like a dog sticking his head out of a car window) but this was soon sorted out with a little adjustment of the straps. Yeh! Another activity that mom & Owen can add to their list of fun things to do in the week while dad is at work.


This morning we also had an outing to Dordrecht to meet up with my ex-boss's that came over for the Jazz Festival that is being held in Rotterdam. It was nice to catch up and enjoy some lunch together. Owen was on his best behaviour and did all the right things, smiled at the right time.

The tooth has finally arrived!

Last Thursday Owen's first tooth arrived. A rough little bump has appeared on the bottom gum. What a joy to see the evidence of all previous months signs and symptoms.


Much has been happening these past couple of weeks. Owen & mom are now members of the top gym/sports club here in Breda. Owen will start "teddyzwemmen" twice a week for 30 minutes each session. On other days or evenings mom will try to shift the last of the pregnancy weight by doing some group classes, cardio or spinning. The gym has child care facilities as well which is one of the reasons we joined. Of course this does come at a premium cost. Monday was our first day at the gym. I dropped off Owen at the creche, left some instructions and bolted right off to the bicycle before I waited to see who would cry first. I only did 30 minutes on the cardio machines whilst nervously listening for the intercom to call my name, but that did not happen. Needless to say the eyes were dry on both sides and fun was had by all. When I went to fetch Owen he was winding down in the camp cot waiting for me to put him in the car so he could have a nap. This is the first time he has been left with someone other than a family member. I was very proud of him - no tears & no dummy!


On the weekend we bought Owen his first bicycle helmet & have put in an offer on a second hand bicycle seat and wind protector as we recon he will only use this for a year or so before moving on up to the next seat. He is a big boy. If the weather holds out on Sunday the whole family will be going for a cycle around the block.

Owen visited the doctor again today. He has been given a 2nd course of antibiotics for the infection from his BCG injection. Hopefully this will sort the problem out for good.