CathMe

What is This??

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:19:00 +0000

We tried new things lately: cutting with scissors, potty training, giving bigger pieces of bread. His clothes are getting much smaller, and Thierry bangs often against chairs and tables like if he is suddendly taller. He also falls often like if he doesn't lift up his feet that much anymore or he is off balance.

Thierry speaks still in telegraphic style: Thierry drives car Papa. Hmmm, he AGAIN wants to drive Papa's car!! It is funny how he still can manage telling you what he did the day before or what he liked doing that day. It is a guessing and asking game, but there really is a dialogue. So cool. However, after we had to punish him (in the corner or on the naughty chair), we ask him if he knows why he was punished, he would say that he did what he was asked to do. But he did not and he was punished for it. Is he trying to change the past?

We are teaching good manners (thanks to Erika as well): Saying thanks and pardon when he burps.

But the major news is the continuous question: WHAT IS THIS? WHAT IS DAT?
To everything he sees. I so enjoy telling him what the world is and what there is to see. Don't take anything for granted, little man! The worse is yet still to come: in a few years time it's going to be: WHY? WHY?? WHY??? hehehe

Mayo - Ketchup

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:21:00 +0000

Yep, Thierry loves mayonaise and ketchup. With tosti, with french fries, and today he wanted to have it with a quiche! No, there are limits!!

It is really cute how Thierry speaks, we still need to help him pronounce words better so that everybody can understand him. Like Coni - Macaroni or Caval - Carnaval. Try to understand a 2 and a half year old kid saying: Squash! S and SH are still difficult at this age. So cute to hear tho.
I also have to quit baby talking. I would say: Mama is going to finish this and then we will do that. I want to go back to normal talking with You and I and Me and You. It is such a bad habit I took, but I think all mothers do that. We are still exercising the Yours and Mine, Thierry doesn't get it all the time. Of course, what is Mine makes his Yours. More complicated than repeating!

He starts imitating dancing steps or gestures he sees on TV. If Marco reads a French text out loud for his prononciation, you hear Thierry in the background telling a few of the words.

At the swimming pool last Sunday Thierry had the time of his life! In the 40cm bath we were holding him so that he would not drown. But all he wanted was to let go of him, walk and play with water on his own. It took us 10 minutes to feel more confident, he might not been aware of the danger. Anyway, he played with other kids and their balls, greeted all other parents, laid on the swimming float. At a certain point, we saw him bending his knees and diving in the water until his head was under water! The last 10 minutes after that I put him on the side of the pool land asked him to jump in my arms while I still was in the water. He had so much fun! We will definitely not wait 6 months again to back to a swimming pool!

Girl toys - Boys toys

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:20:00 +0000

Our holiday week in Geneva was rough. Thierry was ill and he ate very little: delicious fresh bread and Swiss cheese are so different to what we eat in Holland. That was a turn off! I go to Geneva to eat all sort of food we don't find here and Thierry was miserable only looking at it!! Fortunately, we had lasagna in a restaurant, then it was all ok again. But later meals were also not exactly like at home, even the soup, so it was slowly or painfully going in his mouth. He lost some weight... Also he was in the "No!" mode. Everything was no. No! No! Don't want this, don't want that! No! As soon as we said: "say bye-bye to Geneva" in the plane, he was al exited. At Schiphol, Opa picked us up and Thierry was all happy, smily, and telling all what happend in Geneva. That was what I call: home sick! Well, we definitely need to broader his food type.

Thierry tries to sing. He often asks me to sing for the last 3 weeks. Now he starts singing but it still sounds like talking weird, hahaha

He is also very interested in the time/clock. I explained him each hand how fast it turns and how many minutes it is. We stayed once 15 minutes studying it while we were waiting for Vida to come. How many minutes it passed already and how many minutes still need to come. It was very intense learning! Every time he plays with an alarm clock he manages to set the alarm. And a few hours later (mostely at night of course!!) it goes off. The weatherstation, the runningwatch, his own alarm clock, they all ring once he has played with them. And we always forget to check if the alarm is off after he played with it :-P

Thierry likes touching make up stuff in the shops, he likes playing with dolls and prams, cleaning with his broom and making tea with his tea set. Fortunately, he loves playing with his cars. Finally he can play on his own!!! That was not too soon, I am telling you! Why we didn't give him that garage before?? What I also enjoy a lot is having a conversation with friends while Thierry can play on his own. This is heaven!! Keeping an eye on him, and still chatting with friends. I am living again!

Sinterklaas

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:11:00 +0000

This is the time when Sinterklaas is in a lot of conversations. Thierry can put his shoe in front of the fireplace (and get chocolate or maspain), music CDs playing in shops and at school, chocolate and stories. It is a very well running tradition in this country. One day we told Thierry that he could ask Sinterklaas for a broom of his own in stead of stealing ours. The next day he told me while looking at my ring: "Sinterklaas Give Ring". That is clear, he got the message that he can get presents from Sinterklaas "Mr-Presents-Man"!

Thierry got his first vaccin H1N1 and will get the second half december. We all have been ill with flue and cold, who knows maybe we got that swine flue already...

Lunch and dinner are times when Thierry tells stories. What he saw on TV or what he liked earlier that day or what we are going to do later. Of course it is "words put together" discussion, without any grammar so it makes it not very clear to understand right away. For example: Windmills swim sea, or Pretty teddybear sing wheel. Yep, it takes also a whole conversation to get what is playing in his little head.

Thierry is busy understanding "you" and "me" (toi, moi). Yep, when I say it, it is reverse than what he says, pretty confusing, he! Also very busy "writing" he loves me to write some letters, and he tries to write them too... Not easy! Thierry starts counting as well, 2,4,5,18 :-)

Independent (Thielly Doen!)

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:13:00 +0000

Thielly doen! Yes, he wants to do a lot himself. We cannot encourage him enough!! He fills his bath with water, he cleans the table after eating and he vacuum cleans. Now I understand how big families work. The olders do the cleaning, the youngest the tidying up and the parents the management. hehe

Mr Monkey: he imitates you all the time. You cannot hide!! You're eating? he wants to eat the same thing. What you're drinking looks very tasty: give it to me too! Your shoes: they are MINE! You are scratching your feet? I feel like scratching my feet too. You are playing with that toy? I want to play exactly with that toy right now. He hears "again, again" in a song? He is singing it too. He overhears in your conversation the word "respect"? He makes the sign "respect".

More and more 2 words sentences. That makes him clearer in what he is saying. Funny to realise soon it will not be necessary to complete or guess what he means... Sometimes he asks me something in French and if he doesn't get the answer he wants he turns to his father and asks the same but in Dutch. Here we go, he gets it, yeeehaaaa!

So difficult to take pictures or movies: he only wants to see the pictures taken. But we even haven't had time to take any that he is crying he wants to see the pictures. What a nightmare!
Other painful moments: the last quiet moment time before going to bed, a DVD. He wants Mimi (Maisy Mouse) and 2 minutes later he wants Oui-Oui! (Noody) or vice-versa of course! Make up your mind and hup go bed!

Thielly

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:44:00 +0000

Yes, he says his name, how cute! Rs and Ss are not masterized yet, but he's doing his best. Thierry speaks more and more words. He uses almost no signs anymore, and the baby words he invented are little by little replaced by their real words. For example, moto was kiim, xylophone was koukass, windmill was goula, bird is still goh, vacuum cleaner is also go, a tractor was go as well, dadou-dadou is still truck, gramina is still not clear to us! And chocolat is still koolaa. We eat often chocolate at home, actually all our deserts are chocolate vla or pudding. And at breakfast we have hagelslag :-)

Thierry is the kind to touch everything. Bit annoying while shopping, but at least he is interested in what is around him. The other day a little girl his age was also waiting in line at the bakker, he went to her and hugged her! Now that was a first! I prefer this than when sometimes he doesn't want to play and pushes a little boy away.

What he likes these last weeks is to put on our shoes and walk with them. Is he that in a hurry to grow up? hehe

He starts making the difference between French words to mama and Dutch words to Papa. The best way to realise that is to ask him: "and how does papa say?" "and mama says?" Then he uses the correct language. We often hear the same word in both languages when he communicates, so he definitely knows they both mean the same thing. His vocabulary is exploding. He still loves books with items drawned and we tell him what they are called or ask him how they are called.

I finally found a recipe to keep Thierry quiet while brushing his teeth: I sing him a song with improved text on the melody of Noddy's adventures. After a lot of experiments and strenght and despair I can now get Thierry's teeth cleaned without hassle :-) It was about time!!

Thierry is now more found of Oui-Oui (Noddy) than Mimi (Maisy Mouse). It is also more elaborate in drawings and dialogues. There are still so many cartoons to discover, little fellow!

I want chocolate!

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 13:46:00 +0000

Where does that come from? A 2-year old begging for chocolate at 7:45 AM?? And yesterday afternoon, and yesterday before lunch... he comes to the kitchen asking for "koolaa". Do we eat so much chocolate with him? I did not realise that.

Thierry's got a cold again. Wow that was a long time, maybe 3-4 months ago? We did not miss it! I remember I was told kids have never ending colds until 2 year old, or from 2 to 4 years old. I hope the next one will be at 4 years old! *fingers crossed*

It was difficult going to bed before his cold this week. He would even ask to have his diaper changed or to drink something. I make it as uncomfortable possible so that he doesn't enjoy the time his bedtime is postponed.

Some words are not easy to understand: fiets (bike), schoen (shoe). In fact you understand it when he says it and points it with his little finger!! haha

Some words he says both in Dutch and French, for example: running or flowers. He would say them one after the other, or use one language at random. Mostly he would repeat in the language you would say back to him at that moment. So he still does not make specifically the difference French to Mama, Dutch to Papa.

We are facing a problem: how can we make him stop shouting, or run in shops? He would run to the far other end of the shop and play with the curtains in fitting rooms?? Any tips, advices, experiences are welcome. Thanks!

Praising and Rewards

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 09:24:00 +0000

We are still amazed how much Thierry has changed since he is born. Okay it is now 2 years ago and we should get over it, but still! We were used to carry him so often, and now: almost not anymore! He even goes up and down the stairs (I hold his hand and focus on him). He used to ask for his pacifier while shopping or in the car, and now: barely! He even names it: " 'peen " He speaks so many words. You hear him repeat your swearing! Oh this is so embarrassing in shops! He sometimes say: " Oh no " or " Oh yes " so cute!

He really is a good boy. He doesn't fight or argue. He even asks you if something is allowed before he would do it (" mag? "). Should he say no when you ask him to do something, without insisting but firmly confirming he needs to do it and just waiting for a minute, he comes and do it anyway. I am sure patience is the key to lots of hassle at this age. Oh yeah, with a lot of praising too. I so deeply hope it stays that easy!

He helps taking clothes out of the wasching machine or hanging them, or he would put chairs back to their place. But his toys? Naaaa, they are left in the middle of the living room, or better: in our small kitchen. And it is not easy to get him put all his lego back in their box. Unless you tell him that once his toys are tidy up we'll go to the Kermis or to the Beach... you see him speeding like mad!

We started putting Thierry on the potty. He has one that plays music when he pees. Very rewarding! But no success yet. I guess it is too early, he doesn't go the stairs standing on his own anyway.

Happy Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:57:00 +0000

What a language explosion: everyday Thierry says new words! Unbelievable how fast it goes. When Thierry really doesn't want something and "nee" still doesn't make you understand, he will throw a loud: "non!" Marco learns some French words from Thierry, yep son's already outpasted his father!

Bad times falling, lots of cries. Thierry bit his lip bad several times already. And it bleeds a lot!! Everytime I am in total panic because I don't know what to do. Is there anything to do beside wet cold cloth on it?? After a few minutes I calmed down I comfort him by saying: "I know it is very painful, but soon it will not hurt anymore". Poor kiddo!

Thierry loves making music: for his birthday he got lots of instruments: a drum, maracas, harmonica, tambourin.

We were very surprised to see Thierry removing his trousers on his own. Of course we helped with his zip and button. Now we are working on the putting trousers mode.

Another year gone by

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:51:00 +0000

A second year went by and we enjoyed every minute! What a better year than the first one. Not only because we sleep better at night, but Thierry is so much more active, responsive and happy. Actually, these weeks/months are the best ever! As we were told, it only gets better. I must say it is much better than I could ever imagine.

At this age, we sometimes let Thierry choose what he wants on his bread, or if he prefers his jeans over what I wanted him to wear he gets that too. He loves potato chips but can eat them only at parties.

He often repeats some words you've just say, so sweet! He often says the last syllable of words, for example "tunnel" is "nel". Such a lazy attitude, he? :-) Because of me he says Dutch words with a French accent, for example "emmer" (a la French: emmeuuur!) I am so ashamed!

Thierry starts looking to you from under (hereby picture). He is not even doing anything bad, he is just playing and want to make you laugh. We are having lots of laughs in da house! Much less when he spills his drink on the floor, why does it make him laugh so much when we have to clean his mess??

Do all kids love reading books? Thierry loves it and often sits down looking at the pictures quietly on his own. Some other times he would take the book to you to read it together. He's got lots of books and also want to read while I change his diaper. Wanna be a writer or a book critic when you grow up?

Knowing his ABC...

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Sat, 23 May 2009 20:26:00 +0000

After a lot of practice we managed to get Thierry open his lips to brush his outside front teeth. What a patience, we deserve a medal! Really! In the serie kids loves playing with everyday's items: stairs!! His favorite game for about 2 months now... He even climbs them 2 by 2 (while I hold his hands, of course). Okay there is another thing he loves even MORE: look at his pictures or movies. What a narcissist! He loves looking at pictures when he was a few days/months old. It is more and more difficult to take pictures or film him as he wants to look at the camera right away.

On the bilingual side, Thierry says more and more words in both languages. But he chooses one word per thing. I explain him that Mama calls it so and Papa calls it different but both words mean the same thing. What I find inconvenient is that I seem to be the only one to understand him completely. He speaks a few words in French and at this age he still doesn't pronounce words correctly. Maybe it is for every kid the same, mothers understand their child the best even in one language families?

We are so surprised at seeing Thierry learning letters. His toys are on a foam puzzle letter mat and he started with the X. He came to us asking what it was. And then with the A, etc. We showed him the T "for Thierry, Tea, Tractor, Train..." Look here at the movie knowing the alphabet. He recognises letters everywhere now, in shops, on advertisement boards, magazines. It is so amazing, we have never planned this. Kids really learn so quick and unexpectedly. Like words they say, you have no influence on what they will choose to pronounce and use. It is so cute to hear for the first time a word you said so often, and just out of the blue he says it too!

Preferred activities

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:27:00 +0000

The funniest experience is going shopping with Thierry. To him: huge playgrounds! Try to get him come back to you, ask him to stay close or have him put what he took back on the shelves: GOOD LUCK! Like other activities the best hint is take your time, no rush or it ends in tears.

Luckily with sunny weather is playing with sand in the garden a must. Guess what you find in Marco's shoes coming back from the garden? Yes, sand, or a stone, or one of his little shovels...

Playing with water is also Thierry's big hobby. Not only in bath, nooooo also when eating! Taking water from one glas and pouring it into his plastic glas which always spills on the floor!

The other day he made the sound of "cold" I asked him if he wanted a jacket he says "ja!" Amazing and practical! Thierry likes to do his hair, he uses the brush and the comb. Also likes when we put gel in his hair... Thierry sleeps well and falls as sleep easily, our routine is working perfectly.

Getting by?

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:19:00 +0000

Amazing how tough kids are. Especially their head! After so many falls, Thierry's brains seem still working fine! 2-3 weeks ago it was every 3 days a big fall and cries. Fortunately it almost does not happen anymore.

Do you also notice how kids do not liked to be rushed? Thierry likes to take time to play with that stick in the mud, to look at that stone and how it falls again and again. You better not be in a hurry or you would just miss countrish discoveries along the way. Same when it is time to go to bed or go back home Thierry hides under table and chairs. After work picking him up at Erika's, he still wants to show me all the toys he plays with and tickle with the boys. My favorite attitude to make him follow me is to say: Mama is leaving, if Thierry wants to stay alone it is okay. It is magic, here he comes! Hmmm, I hope I am not going to traumatise him...

It is so cute to see him walking... a bit Charlie Chaplin with legs wide apart and feet pointing outside. It is even cuter to see him walking and shouting: Mama, Mama, Mama!
And what about seeing this little piece of you copying every move or caugh you do. It makes you REALLY aware of what you are doing and saying. Beware!

Say Cheese!

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:58:00 +0000

As a half Dutch and half Swiss citizen, Thierry had to love cheese. Okay we did not expect it would love it that much!!! Also one of the few words he says: kaaaaaaas!! Funny he chooses to say the easier version of a word in Dutch or French.

Thierry gives lots of kisses, sometimes with noise, most of the time without. Aaaaaah so cute!!!!! Very talkative kid, always sounds coming out of his mouth, in a real conversation with someone. Very social, making contact. The other day, walking at the mall, he stopped at the window of a tea-room and knocked at the window to let the people know he was there and gave a smile. Adorable no?

We sleep all night through! I can enjoy life again! it is now 2 full months he sleeps well, finally!!! Not yet walking but lots of 3 steps, almost there!! Thierry says yes the whole time, and 90% of it really means it. For example, he took my hand to walk to the stairs going up. I asked: Wanna go to bed? "ja" and a nod of his head - he was happy going to bed and felt asleep in no time. He really meant it! Sweet little Darling...

Blow

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:14:00 +0000

Thierry loves blowing all he sees: water, food, dust and crumbles. But what he prefers is to wristle and see soap bubbles (totally addicted to soap bubbles!). I am amazed how Thierry lets us already know when he has done Nr1 in his diaper! Is it the age already? We could already work on the "warn us before not after, please!" but I think that would be too pushing, no? He makes us laugh when he points his diaper with his finger and shouts: "Ba!" Yes, it is bah, and it stings horribly too!!

Thierrry has been ill again. We are desperate. Can he catch so many colds? Like once a month minimum, is that normal???? The doctor said that kids contaminate each other so easily. It happends either between 0 and 2 or between 2 and 4. I hope he is right and that at age of 2 Thierry will be more imuned and stronger. The other day Thierry woke up with his eyes glued together with thick yellow pus, argh! Thierry was also often awake at night. We suspect his teething. He got 3 new teeth in January!

On the verbal side, Thierry repeats often one word we say. Like "pap" or "gant" (glove). He says "Pa" (daddy) but it is not very clear. He walks 3 steps distances more often. It could be because we have too big spaces at home. It is too far for him to hop from one point to the other. Even if he doesn't say too many words, he is not silent: he pops just on your nose shouting asking you to pay attention to what he is doing and mumbling!!

Get me right!

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:15:00 +0000

Amazing how much Thierry understands!! He understands when you're saying that first he finishes his plate then he can play, that it is soon time to go to bed, that it is bath time, please tidy up your toys, let's put your shoes we are going out, shall we dance? etc. Just a word: Cheers, and he slams his mug against yours with a huge smile!

At bed time we read Thierry one of his books, he knows them all by heart and points out the right object you ask him where it is. Of course that works if he is not too tired. Same thing on the family photos board, he knows every member and can point them out easily.

He walked 5 steps from Marco to the TV. What a spectacle! He did it a few times until he felt against the tv furniture... That was not very ensuring, hmmm. So now he is even more careful. When will he finally walk? Or is he not going to walk but straight going to run??

Thierry seems to say Mammy, and Daddy is: Pa. Some other words are: K3 (Dutch speaking band for kids), ballon. Sometimes we teach him not only the name but also a sound and gesture with it. For example a moto: "broom-broom" and move both your wrists giving gas. So if you say "moto" without a picture/book, then Thierry would do the sound "broom-broom" and move his little hands, very funny and soooooo cute!!

Growing up

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:51:00 +0000

Ah still not walking! And yes, still carrying Mr Lazy around! I thought I became much more patient since Thierry is born, but definitely still not enough! On the language side we also face lazyness. But some words definitely come out loud and clear: Bain (bath), Train (rin), Mimi (mice cartoon), Boo (kikeboo), Ba (banaan). Even said a "dolph" just after I told him "dolphin"! Thierry eats better on his own. Still not at ease with getting food on his spoon, but the travel from the plate to his mouth is mastered already for some time. First days drinking on his own (Thanks Betty and Berengere!). Thierry helps removing his shoes, socks and helps putting his hand in the sleeve to dress on. That is so rewarding for all of us! On the imitation side, Thierry would rub his hands over when he sees me putting cream on my hands. When teeth are coming out, Thierry is grumpy, has fever and is a dummy (photo) addicted!! To cure a cold we give Thierry: Luuf (Vicks Baby Balsam), Sambucol for Kids (fruit extracts), nose salt spray, paracetamol in case of fever, extra-more love and tons of patience. It is a time for stunts, more risks and discoveries, watch out little man :-)

No-No!!

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:24:00 +0000

Nee-Nee! Now that Thierry learnt saying no, we hear it all the time. Thanks Betty in Italy! He knows very well what he is not allowed to do, and says right away: Nee Nee (in Dutch). For example he sees a glas on the table, and would like to grab it: Nee Nee. Or when he wants to touch the plant, the telephone, the tv remote: Nee Nee. He raises his finger and waves it in the air. Anyway, even if he says Nee Nee, most of the times he still goes for it and grabs it if you do not stop him first. When are you going to say: Ja Ja??? (yes)

Sometimes I find difficult to remain serious when asking Thierry not to do something because he gives me this so cute look. But I have to focus and show him it is not a joke. If he gets it is a joke, he will do it thousands of times to make you laugh, he loves laughing. Aaaah kids!!

More interaction

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:56:00 +0000

I get handy in eating together with Thierry. Thierry gets his food from my right hand, and I eat with my left hand. Finally I have discovered the trick to eat warm and feed him at the same time. Thierry is interested in normal objects, I mean not his toys, but stuff that we use everyday, or cupboards, stuff on the table, in the kitchen. Not so much interested in his toys lately.
After our bed ritual of reading a book, waving good night at the window and playing the music box, Thierry is always eager to go in his bed. I hardly can steal one last kiss before he lays down. I hope he will keep this attitude for a VERY LONG time!
Thierry is the happiest among other kids. Highly social, he crawls behind them, makes contact with a large smiling and making high exited sounds!
Thierry is sad, tired and you get nothing out of him? Just play music, you will see his mouth turning to a bright smile and dancing on the music.... If that even doesn't work? It is time for bed then! Too tired to do anything.

Being a parent

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:34:00 +0000

What surprises me all the time is how slow we get used to a routine, and as soon as we master it, it is time to change it already! It applies for everything, food, sleep. Other domains it is the total opposite, I would like Thierry to hurry up. Like walking, c'mon Thierry, two steps please! I would not need to carry you so often. And also to eat on your own, take that spoon, fill it with food and hop in your mouth please! What is also funny is how often your role as a parent needs to be adapted to the kid's age. At the early age you help a boy to discover everything around him, and a few months later you teach him to stop touching everything because some stuff are not for him. Soon you will teach him how to ask question and the next thing will be to ask him to shut the hell up because you are too tired for "all those questions"! Ah la la....

Happy first birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:08:00 +0000

Just one year old! Wow, we made it so far!! It seems not so long ago Thierry is born, however so much has happened. It makes me so happy to see him happy. And he makes me laugh so much when he is doing the clown. Oh yeah he gets me so tired when he wants to watch tv in stead of going to bed. He does not talk but he knows how to make himself understood. A pointed finger, "aha-aha" and puppy eyes... very explicit!

Thierry does not need the dummy so much. Only in bed and the ritual bit just before. It was about time!

For the last year, I still cannot get confident about food (how much he eats) and sleep (does he sleep enough) and get dressed (is he dressed too warm). It does not seem to get better, maybe these are the topics I will always doubt???

The holiday was great, although Thierry hated it: 10 hours in the car. But it was worth our holiday in Geneva!

Developping fast

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:15:00 +0000

Soon 1 year old! Wow so many changes since Thierry is born! He now follows the book I'm reading him and looks at the pictures and stays concentrated through the 6 pages. He now imitates us really: make same sounds "ball" "jajaja" "mama", uses the second spoon during lunch time, unhandy but very concentrated, all what you do he wants to do too. What a social little boy! We cannot stand without been noticed, he calls people around, gives huge smiles and chats up! Thierry loves making tong noises, Joyce taught him that, and he is quiet good at it now. Thierry loves music, every music: for kids, pop, trance, he moves on the rhythm.
He's been one month ill, chicken-pox (waterpokken, varicelle) and ear infections (oor onstekingen, otites) one after the other. He ate less and slept a lot, total opposite of his nature!
He begins making baby signs, what a shock when I saw him making the "milk" sign! I am now introducing a few more words at a time.

Personalizing...

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Thu, 29 May 2008 09:12:00 +0000

Yep, not only Thierry is getting taller and heavier, he also gets his own personality. He wants to touch and know everything, and patience is not an option! He knows how to push all lights switches and finds it interesting to turn them on and off and on and off and... He points his little finger to wherever he wants to go or touch. He laughs when the spoon full of food falls down. He loves putting his spoon into your mouth as well. Or puts his dummy (speen, sucette) into our mouth or into the pretty lady's mouth on the magazine cover. He discovers volumes, puts blocks in the big box and then passes a block through one of the thick rings. Even tries to put his big monkey in the not-so-big-box-after-all. He throws the ball and if you throw it back to him he giggles. He seems to say the word ball, but as he says it all day long, we are not sure he really means it. For his 10 months anniversary he got the chicken-pox (waterpokken, varicelle) together with a cold and ears infection. Fortunately it was discovered and cured. Now Thierry is fully recovered and eats, drinks and laughs as normal again. He still crawls backwards, and seems not to have enough strength in his arms to tiger his way forwards. What he prefers are social contacts, far more over a book. He would then call you with a ba sound and smile and claps in his hands when you talk to him. And if you come to him and tickle him he would giggle asking for more.

Having a great time

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 07:45:00 +0000

We are now in a rather settled routine with some kind of a predictable rhythm, which is heavenly appreciable. Thierry can sleep the whole night through (although not every night), he finally manages to find his pacifier and puts it in his mouth (it was about time!). Thierry eats more and more various food, and this without chocking. He plays longer and longer on his floor mat independently giving me enough time to vacate to my duties. In short, we are having a more pleasant period than ever before.

If there is an advice I could give about kids: get yourself a beautiful house - because you will stay home a lot! Get yourself a partner you are proud of and have fun with - because a kid will test your patience and creativity, you'll need to support each other and have fun together - at home! Go visit the world and get out a lot because once kids are there, it is all about planning, babysitting and moving bags containing 2000 items your baby needs outside of the house.

Now Thierry loves to play peek-a-boo on his own (by covering his eyes with a toy or jumper) and finds special noises and particularly animal sounds super funny. We love to see him laughing out loud! He touches everything, interested in all what he sees. Will you be an explorer when you're grown up??

Messing Around...

noreply@blogger.com (CathMe) — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 19:57:00 +0000

Not only Thierry eats, but also all his clothes, even his socks! Oh yeah and don't forget my clothes as well, because from Thierry's mouth flies mashed vegetables with meat everywhere! It is really an art to manage feeding him the cleanest possible: have him open the mouth when the spoon is presented, have him keep his head still and facing the spoon, having him not clapping his hand on the spoon (this one is sooo dangerous), having him not suck his socks when his mouth is full of food. Well I give up on the tidy lunches!
Thierry discovers now shouting. It is funny how happy he is when he makes loud and high tones. He loves standing on his feet and holds his legs stretched, he can't wait to walk!!