the big scream

Picture this (you’ll get the pun in a second), a smallish theatre, narrow and cramped. 200 sold out seats. Sold out to 200 mom’s with babies under one year of age. Now picture the lobby with at least 150 prams. Now picture the mom’s and babies coming and going. Don’t forget to add sound to this picture. Seem like a nice way to spend a morning and see a movie? That’s what I did yesterday, and it wasn’t too bad. A cinema in Clapham holds The Big Scream every Thursday and shows prime movies. For £6, you get a movie for you and your baby and a cup of coffee and a croissant for you. I joined three of my friends from my prenatal classes to see Sex and the City. I’ll have to rent it because I couldn’t hear half of it for all of the screaming, but what I saw was good. I meant to take a photo, but I got there with only minutes to spare thanks to the road works that took up half the parking spots on the street, and I had to rush out to get to the car before I got a £100 fine. You’ll have make do with this photo.



Tim still loves his book although he spends more time wearing it than he does reading it.

swinging

Tara and John had a barbecue/braii last Sunday, and we jumped at the chance to spend some time in their garden. The weather wasn't perfect, but the cold and rain held off long enough for Tim to try out their swing. My parents were here for a week and went with us.

climbing the bubble wrap mountain

Not only does Tim look like his father, but he seems to like the same kind of activities, namely climbing. We're particularly proud of Tim summiting the bubble wrap mountain. The moving company delivered this huge roll of bubble wrap along with some boxes last week. Paul was sitting on the couch next to it, holding Tim in his arms. Tim didn't exactly crawl onto the roll but leaned with intent until he could reach it. You can see him getting a good grip and pushing with his legs. We're not sure if the effort wore him out of if he's hugging the roll in delight. Either way, he's happy.

having a fit

It sounds like Tim is crying and that we are making him suffer, but that's not the case. He's started a new habit of getting sleepy and hungry but refusing to eat or sleep until he's had a little fit. There are no tears and he often stops and smiles and laughs in the middle of his fit. It seems to help him with his motor skills as these videos show.

more bath time

Tim still loves his bath. While we were in Leeds, he took a bath after James in their regular tub. He had so much fun that we have put our portable tub away and put him in our bath at home where we took this video.



I always expect him to cry when he gets out of the tub, but he's always very cheerful and a bit contemplative.

starting to sit

Tim's still a long way from sitting on his own, but he's started to take some interest in this position - probably because it gives him a different angle of attack on his toes.

friends

We traveled north to Leeds last weekend so that Paul could play a couple of days of golf with his South African friends before we leave the UK for a while, probably a long while. Tim and I hung out with Laura and her son James who is a month older than Tim. Kate also came over with her daughter Lucy, about six months older than the boys.


Tim in his car seat. He travels very well.



Kate with Lucy and the boys. A picture of controlled chaos.



The boys hung out in their car seats while Stuart made breakfast the next morning.

While we were there we had to have a braai (South African for barbecue). The weather didn't cooperate so we moved the grill into the garage.


Stuart, James' father, Jason, Lucy's father, and James.



Tim is wearing a Springbok sweater that his Gran made for him. It's a little big. He's also enjoying a beer in the true braai tradition.


Kirsten and Budge, as yet, don't have children, but we're told that will change with the new year.


Laura and James.


Timothy and James or mini Paul and mini Stuart.

tasty toes

Tim loves his tasty toes.

sleeping

If it seems that there is a theme here it's because Tim is awake now more than he is asleep. This is great because it means he's alert, curious and growing. It also means that we appreciate his naps.



Tummy time is exhausting! I put the pacifier (dummy) on his back so that I can see his breathing from the other room. We were inundated with warnings, information, and public service notices about never leaving a baby unattended on its tummy.




His boppy is moving from nursing pillow to prop and play pillow. He loves the pattern on this cover and intently stares at it, which is also exhausting work.



I agree with you Tracy, cutting nails is a necessary evil.