Walking and other mischief

It's been a while since I last blogged and much has happen since then. I guess the most significant that Joshua can walk. He's been walking for a while, since I was in Australia. It was funny to watch him on Skype running around the bedroom, where he only been crawling before.
I remember people telling me that when he starts walking that's when you need to run after him more. I've found that it's not so much.

A Long Five Weeks

It's Friday night and Kelly and Joshua went back to Taiwan just three days ago. I am here in Australia. It's not that I am having a bad time, I am enjoying being in Australia, but I am lonely and miss Kelly and Joshua very much. I know it's only 5 weeks until I see them in person again, but it's going to be a long 5 weeks. And it looks like I will be busy for those 5 weeks.

Kelly and Joshua seemed to enjoy being in Australia

A Handful

I now know the meaning of this term. Joshua is very active at the moment. He doesn’t like to stay put for very long and he doesn’t like to play with his toys either. He is often crawling to some place and getting into things he shouldn’t be. Kelly tells me he is able to get off the bed by himself. He just goes to the edge, puts his feet down and grabs onto a sheet to lower himself down. Yesterday afternoon we went out to get a camera. This would please those who think there are not enough photos on this blog. Kelly and I both have devices to capture photos, but they don’t work quite as well as we would like. We picked up the Canon IXUS 115, although I liked the look of the Nikon Coolpix S3300. I didn’t do any research before we went, I didn’t even know we were going to buy a camera, so we just got the Canon. We don’t actually pick it up until today, so no pics yet. This is the four weekend where we have something to do that impinges on our freedom, so next weekend we will go and do something and put some pics up here. Last night we let Joshua lose in the living room. Up until now he had been in the high chair, the play seat and on the sofa, but not down on the floor. I was fun to watch him zoom around. He loves exploring and having four dogs to zoom around made it even more fun. The dogs’ reaction was interesting. Obviously they have interacted with Joshua for 10 months now, but not on the same level. Ting Ting has been in closer contact with him over the last ten months, and she quickly let it be know that she was not comfortable with this little thing that was as big as her. I think she thinks he does not move with the kind of grace and control she would like. Pan Pan kept licking him. I think she wants Joshua to be hers, no other dog can have him. When Joshua became a bit more adventurous and climbed the stairs, Lucky chaperoned him up the stairs, making sure he was OK. He then seem to follow him around to make sure he wasn’t getting into trouble. I don’t worry about Lucky being left alone with Joshua. Lilly just kept out of Joshua’s way. He was way too excited to sleep and kept waking up during the night. We thought he might be hungry, as he didn’t eat his dinner and he didn’t take his bottle before bed. I think he might be teething, but I won’t say for sure until I see those teeth.

Fireworks and Fatigue

Blogging really shouldn't be that difficult, but finding the time to do it is. Last week I was completely knackered, so I didn't post anything. The next month is not looking any better, so I may as well write what I can when I can. Today will be a short post as I was woken at 4.30 when our little angle decided that was the time for him to wake up. I will try to get some rest on the bus before school. I normally take the dogs for a walk at 5.30, so I just took him with me. That way Kelly gets some rest and we spend some time together. I don't always know if this is a good thing because when I put him in his 'baby cage' (his playpen) he started crying. He stopped when Kelly put him on the bed but cried again when I walked out the door. He is very attached to his parents, which I find unusually for a boy who spends a lot of time in the care of others. A note from two days later - It looks like he is just attached to people as he often gives a little cry when he has to say good-bye, I don't know where he gets that from. Joshua had a very exciting weekend. It was the once every three years temple celebration in Kelly's hometown. Lots of family. Lots of fireworks. Lots of noise. He seem to enjoy every minute of it. The fireworks were very loud, but he didn't seem to mind at all. He seem to really enjoy them. He will be held by almost anyone, but seems especially comfortable with young women. Grandma still has the most problems, I still think she tries too hard. I've just had this thought, but maybe an extended period of looking after him will make her more relaxed. He still doesn't have any teeth. Everyone keeps saying, "That's OK," but I am still slightly concerned. He is not walking yet, which is a great relief, but he is very mobile and I am sure that will not be too far away.

Knocks, no scratches

As weekends go it was not the best. I have obviously realized that having a child means your time is not your own, but my darling wife does not always help the situation. I was busy for my birthday so we were going to do something on the weekend. Last weekend was virtually non-existent so it did not need to be anything special, just something more than the ordinary. Last weekend Kelly was in China until late Saturday night and I had to be at school on Sunday. So first thing Friday night Kelly called and said we were going to her mum's house. I had enough time to take Joshua and the dogs for a walk. He is getting more used to his grandma, at first he cried whenever she came near. I think she tries to hard and wants too much. Joshua had a great time. I didn't have time to feed him before we went, but grandma had apples and melon for him. Up until now we have puréed most things for him, but now he wants finger food. Like Maxine said, it's a double whammy. Not only does he get to touch the food and play with it, but he also gets to put it in his mouth, and it taste good. I, on the other hand, was tired, hungry and thirsty, and didn't have nearly as good a time. Getting food and drink at Kelly's mum's is not always easy. I can't just go and get what I want. Kelly and her mum think that I should have what's in the house rather than go get something, and if I do want to get something, her mum can go get it. It's a battle. Saturday night we had to go and help Monica pick out her wedding dresses. Monica lives with us and is our unpaid babysitter. Before you start thinking I have no morals, she wants to look after Joshua and calls herself his aunty. Kelly has great interpersonal skills, which is why she is in sales, and gets people what they want in situations like this. So it was a long night looking at a gazzillion dresses. Joshua was happy and playful as every and spent a lot of time crawling around. He is not interested in his toys and wants to play with things around him. Invariably they end up in his mouth. We went to one room that had a glass wall. Joshua was fascinated by this glass wall and spent a long time checking it out. I was with him the whole time, not surprising when the alternative was looking at dresses. He was checking out the wall by kneeling by the wall and touching it. Every now and again he would check it out using his mouth and his tongue, I guess he just wonders if it tastes as good as it looks. At one point I could tell he wasn't as energetic in his exploration as before and I could tell that he was unsteady. I put my hand on the corner of the wall, but he move his leg and his head hit the wall much lower, and picked up a little bruise on his forehead. Well, he let out a cry and everyone, all five of them looked at him and me with horror on their faces as if his injuries were far worse. That doesn't make me a bad dad. It's a statement, not a question. I think that all that he learned by playing with the glass and bumping his head was worth a little bruise. I have your best interests at heart Joshua.

Cherish the Days

Had a busy day yesterday, not exactly the way I would like to have spent my birthday but I have less and less control over the content of my life. The bus was late so I had to race to get Joshua. Got home and took him and the dogs for a walk. I had forgotten to bring a change of clothes downstairs, so I went out in my work clothes. The walk was nothing unusual, but as we were walking I started singing to Joshua. The songs I like to sing are not the ones he reacts to, so I sang some children's song. He especially likes the ones were I need to jump up and down, so "Roll Over" is a good one. I love the way he laughs out loud when I jump with him. I got home and I only had enough time for a shower before I had to leave to teach my private. Kelly was very late coming home, so I was waiting with Joshua downstairs. When I got home Joshua was already asleep. I only teach my private for two evenings a week, but when I read this entry I think about how it eats my time with him. The sad thing is that the boy I teach came to the open house of our school last Sunday and wants to come. His family had originally come to the open house because of his older brother. ISIS, my school, is one of the best schools in Taiwan, and certainly the best primary school. But the boy I teach will be going into grade six. The other students in his class have had five years experience learning the IB way. It is virtually impossible for him to succeed in our school without assistance. I will probably need to teach him next year as well. I have had people comment about the fact that Kelly and I work so much and he spends his weekdays with a nanny. We cannot afford the luxury of one of us giving up work so a nanny is the best alternative. The thing is that because we do not spend all day with him, we really cherish the time we do spend with him. As he is the only child I do understand that he may become spoilt, but it is such a joy to be with him, and he does love his mum and dad, or at least I think so. He woke up at 2.30 which is unusual for him. Even though I was very tired, it was fun to see him do his routine before he went back to sleep. This morning I tired, as I always do, to leave as quietly as I can to avoid waking them up. However today I had to go back upstairs as Kelly had taken both sets of car keys to the room. With me coming back in a second time and Kelly getting the keys, he woke up. The smile he gives when he sees us is just priceless. 6.30 is a late enough sleep in Kelly.

Moving with Purpose

It was another wonderful night. Nanny Lee took Joshua out for dinner, which was a good thing because the bus was late again. I was home when she brought him around and as I was coming to greet them Joshua started jumping up and down and started squealing he was so happy. Moments like that are special. He did a very similar thing when his mum came home. We often spend time in bed with him before he goes to sleep and he spends that time moving, he doesn't sit still. The scary thing last night was the way he was moving, he was propelling himself with quite a lot of force. Lots of strength and lots of energy. He would try to stand and could balance for increasingly longer periods, he also took a step. He loves moving and this is his play. The nanny said he will probably be walking by the end of the month. SCARY.

One post for 3 Months?

Has it been that long since I first started writing this? It is truly amazing how fast Joshua is growing. He is not quite 7 months now and he has developed so much. Physically he is much stronger. He sits without support, can stand up with support, can grab and rattle things that are quite heavy and he rolled all the way over yesterday. He often turns onto his tummy and tries to lift himself up. He is very aware of what is happening around him. He's nine months old now and he is developing fast. A few weeks ago I was holding him and he was standing, not so unusual. But then he took a step. "Wow!" I thought. I told Kelly. We held him as he took more steps. We went to Kelly's grandmother's where Kelly showed everyone. Joshua got a lot of walking practice. When we got home we thought he would be tired from all the exercise, but no. He seemed to be fascinated by the idea of walking and wouldn't stop. He supported himself with anything tall and started to 'walk', cruising I'm told it is called. He has always been very active, but he seems to be even more active now. He won't go to sleep without lots of crawling and standing. He tries to balance himself and can stand unsupported for over 5 seconds before gravity takes its toll. That is while he is standing on the bed, I wonder if he can stand for longer on a firmer floor. Kelly has been away often due to work, and I wonder how that affects him. He seems to be ok, and when his mum first gets back he is very excited to see her. I guess he will deal with it. He loves to babble, but that's all it is right now. He says, 'Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma' and 'Da, Da, Da, Da' but it doesn't seem to be referring to anything, just sounds he is making. When he does that I think of the Police song, 'De, Do, Do, Do, De, Da, Da, Da' and will sing that to him. I sing to him often and I hope he doesn't become as bad at singing as I am. I'm excited by what will happen next, but scared, very scared that he will be walking soon. 'Honeymoon is over baby, it's never gonna be the same again!'

Christmas Day 2011

Christmas Day 2011, Joshua's first Christmas. The best Christmas Day I have ever had. It was such a joy to see him absolutely enthralled with the Christmas tree, although I don't think he quite understands the present thing, which is a good thing right now. Ringing the family on Skype was priceless. I think mum might just be inclined to install Skype on her computer now.

Joshua growing quickly - 5 months 11 days

It's been a long time since we last put up a post, and there is so much to tell. Well Joshua has grown so much and can do so many things. Yesterday we went for a walk and we bought some bread. Although it wasn't very heavy Joshua grabbed the bag and could hold the weight, for a short time anyway. He loves going out and looking at the world. In fact he just loves looking at things and hates lying down we're nothing new happens. So even though I didn't want him to look at screens before he was two, he sits beside me now looking at the screen, well not so much at this screen, it is boring, but he was very interested in the video we shot yesterday. The weather has been cold and mum worries about him being affected by the weather very much. However Joshua is more affected by being hot and complains when he is uncomfortable. He also hates shoes and socks and seems to be able to remove them quickly.

24 hours is a long time

A lot can change in 24 hours when you have a newborn. This time yesterday I was riding home (I spend most of my time at the mother’s care hospital) thinking what I could write on this blog. Everything was going well. Joshua was eating and sleeping regularly, Kelly was recovering from pregnancy and delivery better than we expected. I was on a high. But during the night things took a dreadful turn for the worst.
I guess it started with Joshua being unsettled. We had some visitors during the day, The Odendaals and Melissa, and that seemed to throw Joshua out of his schedule. It took us some time to get him to go to sleep. But then the pain set in, Kelly started to feel the painful effects of a blocked duct. It was painful to touch and we did not know what to do. We tried massaging the areas, but it didn’t seem to bring any relief. We called the nurses (another good thing about staying in the mother’s care hospital) at about 3am and they said to leave it till the next time we expressed milk and see how it goes. So we get up at 7am for the next time and the pain is worse. The nurse comes up and helps Kelly out. After massaging and expressing milk for 3 hours, the result is that we need to express milk every 2 hours. So adding massage and expressing for an hour out of every two hours onto attending to Joshua makes a very demanding schedule. The lack of sleep frays nerves and decreases patience, but like the dark clouds that have encircled Tainan for the past week or so, the skies cleared in the afternoon and the smiling faces returned.
Joshua has been growing stronger and more alert as the days go by. Now he lies in his bed and does a set of exercises he seems to have been practicing ever since he was in the womb. Left arm, right arm, left leg, right leg. If I didn’t know better, I would say they are Kung Fu exercises. I don’t know whether to be happy or scared.

The Boy Who Rocks My World

Well, it’s the 18th of July and Joshua is 11 days old. It wouldn’t be earth shattering to say that Joshua’s arrival has altered my world. What does surprise me is the way it has altered my world. I’ve heard a lot of dad’s say that the first moment you lay eyes on your off-spring brings a flood of emotions. This didn’t happen for me the way that they said. I’ve been preparing for this moment for 9 months. The greater shock came back then, and since that time I’ve been waiting for this moment with excitement. I’ve experienced other earth shattering events that happened in an instant, this one took 9 months to come along.

The thing that does surprise me about his presence is that the love I have for him grows palpaplibly by the hour. How is it that he seems to grow cuter by the moment? There’s something about his face that is oddly familiar, but I can’t explain exactly what it is. Most Taiwanese say he looks like me, but that’s only because he has white skin and fair brown hair. His eyes were a bright blue soon after his birth, but now they are dark with a slightly blueish tinge.

I remember Damian telling me to disregard the people who say that babies are boring at first because they only sleep and eat. When I watch Joshua trying to move his head or grip something with his hand I must admit that babies are fascinating beings from the get go. I love watching the way his sleeping face contorts into a multitude of expressions.

Another thing that surprises me is the sleep thing. Of course every well meaning parent seriously admonishes you to rest before the birth as everyone becomes sleep deprived. The funny thing is that for the last 2 ½ years I’ve been working studiously and have learned to live with sleep deprivation. But this is something quite different. I can live with 5 hours sleep a night, if they are 5 uninterrupted hours. This is like an hour here, two hours there. Before I could be on auto-pilot a bit, wake up, get dressed, and take the dogs for a walk. Now I’m awoken by a screaming baby. What time is it? When did he last eat? Has he got a dirty nappy? Does Kelly need something?

One last thing, does anyone have any advice about changing nappies? Every time, well almost every time I change his nappy, he pees. And he seems to wait until I have cleaned everywhere, and I’m putting on the clean nappy and then he lets rip with this stream of urine, and it goes everywhere. We are still at the baby hospital, so every couple of hours I come to them with bed sheets, blankets and clothes that are covered in urine. I wonder what they think.

Six Days Old

Joshua is six days old and this is the first post. Shows you how busy we have been. I have learned quite a lot in the past six days. Babies grow and change a lot in the first six days. They become strong. They communicate quite well, they're means of communication are limited, but so are their needs. If it's not food, a dirty nappy or sleep, it must be something else. He is as happy with me as he is with his mum. He does quite well on his own as well. At the moment he is generally very quiet, unless he needs food, sleep or a clean nappy.

The whole breastfeeding thing has come as a bit of a surprise. The baby books make it sound very natural and romantic. Kelly still screams Blue Murder. At first is was because every drop was excruciating. Now it's because she has too much milk. There are ways to turn this problem into a positive, but I worry a little about the weaning process.

Any comments or messages are more than welcome.



Kelly and Joshua together look so right.

Kelly and Joshua's Home for a month

This is where Mum and Baby (and Dad) are staying for about a month. Please feel free to come and see our new bundle of joy, just remember to call first.