Copy Cat??? Fake Laugh

Riley has developed a stage laugh. I am not sure who she is copying, but from this video clip I am sure you may recognize a laugh that may be the cause?

Slip n Slide

A few days ago we went to Greg and Melanie for lunch. The Stokes's where also there, so Greg set up his "Foam Machine" with a Slip n Slide for the kids to play on.

Riley has started being brave lately, swimming etc so we decided to give her a go as well.

She really loved the thrill, especially when she went head first.

Water, Water everywhere - but where is it from?

We have an irrigation system that comes on at about 6h00. A few days ago Riley was outside with me and she spotted the water spraying the lawn.

This caused much interest...

Even Angels...

It seems that even angels have their moments. A few days ago I was at home during the day. At lunch time Riley decided to try her luck by refusing to sit in her high chair. She gave Domenica a hard time while she was trying to feed her.

I also tried with the same result.

This video clip is taken about 45 minutes into the exercise. As you can see she is still pushing her boundaries.

After this she fell asleep in the chair, and was much happier when she woke up.

Riley's 1st Birthday Party

Its hard to believe that it is nearly a year since Riley was born. She is now such an active "ball of fire", and has no fear. She walks around the house like no tomorrow, and even takes Grandpa for walks around the garden.

Riley really had a great day today. She loved all the attention and the gifts, especially the plastic balls in the shell.

She was well and truly spoiled receiving many gifts, which she really loves.

The birthday cake also went down a treat. She munched her fair share and got icing everywhere, in her hair, on her clothes etc.

Toddling Engineer

Yesterday Riley was fiddling with the pool cover after seeing me working on the pool. Today, she has worked out how to remove the cover, even though it is being held in place by the net.

You can hear the frustration when it doesn't work, but she does not give up and gets it right.

Fiddle Fingers

Riley seems to take after her cousin Sydni (Fiddle Fingers Parnell). She also gets into everything she can. She also climbs on everything she can.

I was working on the pool last night, and next thing had a helper. As you can see she knows how to open and close the cover. She got a bit frustrated when the cover was too tight, but tried anyway.

One step, two step, plenty more...

In the last week, Riley has come on in leaps and bounds as far as her walking is concerned. She can take many steps, but manages even more if she is holding something in her hands for some reason.

In this video clip you can see her walking, but also hear her favourite word - DOG. It seems that just about everythng is a dog.

The neighbours have a dog, which fascinates her, and that is what she can see.

We decided to post this since Zara asked so nicely in her comment.

One step, two step - no more

Riley is really keen to start walking. As this SHORT clip shows she takes a step or two, but is getting really brave, and trusting...

She is also very aware of the video camera so getting anything on film is quite difficult. She on a few occasions tonight took two steps on command.

First Swim

Taking advantage of the improved weather we decided to let Riley have her first swim. The water was 24 degrees, but I still felt cold.

Riley had no complaints though and really seemed to enjoy the experience.

Monkey Climbing

After nearly two weeks of rain, today was a nice day (for a while).

Riley really loves being outside, so we put her costume on and let her play in the "bird bath" outside. She still loves the water too.

She has also decied that she can climb up things... So we have to be on the lookout all the time. This is just an example of what she can do.

Look ma, no hands

Well, we can stand if we want to. The bin proved to be too much of an attraction and Riley eventually learned how to open it.

She then sttod with no support for a second or two, and has done this outside quite a bit.

She seems to be happier standing on the grass, maybe knowing that the grass is softer than the hard tiled floor.

Almost walking

Riley has now advanced to the "walking trolley". She is quite good at it, but has no idea about steering, so gets caught in corners all the time. She seems to have picked up that she needs to move the trolley, so shoves it around a bit.

She has even taken a few steps on her own since this picture, normally only about two steps though.

Helping Hands

A while ago we bought Riley a swing from the Baby Fair. When we got home and started putting it together she couldn't help but get involved, climbing over and through everything.

She still enjoys the swing, but wants to get out sooner, having better things to do, like investigate around the house.

Stair Master

As you may know, at just over nine months now, Riley is crawling all over the place. Gone are the days of leaving her and coming back a few seconds later. She either follows or takes her own direction.

She has even mastered the stairs - up that is. She quite happily climbs the stairs to the fron door and to Dom's flat. She is not too sure about down but seems to be starting to understand that she needs to turn around to get down.

We even bought her a waling trolley which she is taking to quite well. She moves around the house with it though we still follow around like over protective parents, just till her balance is right and she realises that she cannot walk into the trolley, which she seems to want to do all the time.

Grandpa also had great delight in teaching her to unpack the blocks!

Helping hands make quick dressing

Riley has become quite interactive in the mornings. She has taken to helping me get dressed.

She waits for me to put my clothes on the bed, then takes my socks and waits for me to ask for them.

She then very efficiently "ta's" the to me.

She has also started with the words: ta, tata, ma, da.

101 uses for a Leather Lounge Suite

Riley is now nearly 9 months old (two days to go). Hard to believe how grown up she can be, and how cute and funny. She picks up new tricks almost daily, and is always learning.

Last night while waiting to bath she was on the leather lounge suite, crawling around, when she started blowing "zurbits" on the leather. Don't know where she got the idea from, but it went on for quite a while.

The other cute thing she has done is talk down the pool hoses, and listen to the unusual sound.

Got teeth

Check out the teeth. Two little white dots on the bottom jaw. They are very sharp.

Bath Bubbles

Bath time has always been a treat. But now that Riley sits in a bath ring, she has more freedom and enjoys bath time even more. This bath session was extra fun... we had to empty the bubble bath bottle, so ended up with more bubbles that usual.

The smile says it all.

Sitting on a box

What better use for an old box... Watching TV requires a seat after all. This box caused lots of excitement. She loved having it thrown around the lounge, and finally getting to sit on it.

Christening - 29th July 2007

It has been nearly a month since my last post. And a lot has happened. Riley is as happy as ever. Very active and all smiles.

We had her Christened at St Martins on the 29th July. The picture above is of her god parents - following tradition with two god mothers and one godfather.

Riley had a really nice day, she really seems to enjoy having people around. She was just starting to be clingy - but the week-end of activity seemed to cure her of that.

Two or three days before, she decided it was time to cut her bottom front teeth, so she is not a complete toothless wonder anymore. She actually looks very cute, but does not like to show them off.

Living and Loving Baby of the year finalist 2007

Riley has made it into the finalist for the Living and Loving Baby of the Year competition. SHe is in the 0-6 months age category.

Should you wish to vote for her you can SMS 9 to 34598 (SMS charged at R2.00 each).

The picture above is what we entered, and was taken by Stacie a while back.

New Bath Pose

As you may have noticed, we have been very quite for a few weeks.

Riley spent two days and two night in hospital due to a gastro attack. The gastro lasted nearly 10 days. When we went to the paed, he said the only way to get rid of it was to admit her to hospital so that she could have IV fluids and anti-biotics.

Five days after discharge, we had another scare. Riley started with blood in her stool, so she was again put on antibiotics.

She is now doing very well. Through all this, she was very good, always smiling except when the nappy rash became too painful.

Riley has now stated squirming out of her bath seat, so we have stated using a bath ring. She seems much happier, and this will hopefully get her to enjoy sitting more than she does now.

She is quite able to sit, but seems to want to move too much to sit still.

Riley's favourite TV advert

Strange to think that Riley will be 6 months old tomorrow...

She has now found a TV advert that she really loves. It is the latest MTN advert - called MTN Clap.

She will stop whatever she is doing to watch and listen. This afternoon she was having a bit of a cry and wouldn't calm down. So after quite some time I tried playing the video.

She immediately stopped crying and listened intently...

Coca Cola Kid

Last night while Riley was investigating the house in her new mode of transport - her walking ring, she discovered an empty 2l Coke bottle - which ended up being her favorite toy.

Much like her dad, she also seemed very interested in the contents. She spent the time trying to suck the lid of the bottle.

She has become very good at navigating the house, she does get stuck in the corners etc. When she is not suffering from "selective hearing" she even comes when she is called - long may that last.

Riley Teething

We have for a while now suspected that Riley is teething... She always puts everything straight in her mouth, not matter what.

This video shows the extent of this. She was in the bath, and got hold of one of her toys. The sound effects tell the real story of ho hard she bites down. She then pulls whatever out her mouth, hence the squeak.

Eskimo Riley

As you may know, Durban has gotten pretty chilly over the last few days - still no match for Ficksburg and Johannesburg, but cold by our standards.

Claudia decided to dress Riley for the occasion in an outfit that Melanie got for her when she was born... She looks very cute with he little bunny ears etc.

Riley Sitting

Riley has started sitting. She manages to sit for quite a while till she topples over. She does however prefer to be standing, which is not always possible.

The last part of the video is her being ticklish... Which she is very...

Walking Ring Antics

As I mentioned in my previous post, Riley is quite good in her walking ring. This video show just how good.

She is also able to "obey" commands. Though she does still suffer from selective hearing when it suites her to. When she is engrossed in something, she can totally ignore being called, but as you can see from this video, she does know her name, and can respond when being called.

Baby in the oven

On Monday, Riley went to see Sr Des Meyer for her monthly way in and check up. Everything is fine, and she has caught up nicely in the weight and height stakes. Last month she was a bit under weight and "petit". This month, after eating cereal for the month she has caught up nicely.

She now weighs 6.05kg, and she is 62cm long. The circumference of her head is now 40.5cm. These figures fall nicely on the 25th percentile. So we are really happy with her progress.

T the check up, Des commented on how strong Riley is, and also haw active. She suggested that Riley might benefit from a walking ring, to be able to burn off some of that energy which she has.

Claudia went of the Baby City, and let Riley try out a walking ring, which she loved, so we bought one.

After a very short while at home, she is getting the hang of it and can get around really well. She is also very happy to go where she want.

The picture above is of her fascinated but the oven. As you may recall it has a reflective coating, so she was able to see her reflection in the glass, and was totally fascinated.

The only downside is all the finger prints that she leaves behind as evidence of her interest.

We will obviously have to make sure she cannot get near the oven when it is hot...

Watching Rugby...

This week-end we have had the family in Ballito. Chris and Stacie drove down from Johannesburg, and Grandpa and Grannie Annie from Ficksburg.

Today, after lunch, the TV seemed to be calling the guys to watch the Sharks game. Grandpa was joined by the girls on the couch to watch...

Riley seems more interested than Crystin, not that I am sure either of them really know what is what.

Bath Time - Delicious Terror

On advice from Brett, we have always splashed Riley in the bath, in an attempt to make sure that she is happy in the bath, and does not mind being splashed etc.

This seems to have worked quite well. Riley has been happy in the bath for quite a while now, shen I splash her she has never had a problem with it.

Now, she actually seems to expect it, and enjoys it, she just needs to cath her breath again after.

I am not sure how clear this will be, but the jist of the video is taking a face cloth with water, and letting it run out over Riley's body, moving up and over her face.

Riley first taste of maize poridge

Today, after nearly 4 months, Riley got to taste her first teaspoon of Maize poridge. We expected quite a different reaction than what we got. She just seemed to love the taste and texture.

There was barely a grimace to start and she wolfed down the whole bowl.

I can sit - almost

After installing the new TV (temporarily) this afternoon, Riley, who loves TV, sat on my lap to watch. She is very good at supporting herself, though she can't sit upright, she does like to be supported like this. SHe does also manage on her own for short periods.

Riley's Sleeping Habits

Riley has always had somewhat strange sleeping habits, but this is the strangest.

We put her down to sleep this afternoon with her dog as usual. When I went back a short while later, this was how she had gone to sleep. Bib over the face and dog in hand...

Jolly Jumper is FUN!!!

On Wednesday we bought Riley a "jolly jumper". I rember these from when Melanie was a baby - not that long ago :-).

She was not too sure about it at first, but seems to have taken to the freedom quite nicely.

This video clip shows her in the "jolly jumper" laughing very happily. The video is quite long, so might take some time to download the first time... Sorry about that.

Riley Laughing

This is a video from earlier this evening. Riley has got such a great temperament. She likes to laugh and is really happy.

Bad hair day

Even babies occasionally have bad hair days. On Wednesday night Riley decided to have a very unusual fit when we tried to bath her. She just did not want to be in the bath at all, so after a very short stint, we took her out to calm her.

There was not even time to finish washing her hair and brushing it later just did not help, so Thursday turned out to be a "bad hair day". Even though Riley was quite happy, and actually in very good spirits, her hair was unruly to say the least.

She also has this little curl on the top of her head that does not lie down for anything, even though it gets brushed down after her bath, next morning it stands up again.

Look, I can sit (almost) and read too

Riley is really making good progress towards being able to sit. She is very strong.

She can occasionally support herself to sit for short periods as well. The balance is not always that great and she does tend to topple forward, but people are often amazed at how strong she is.

Child "Abuse"...

The other day, Riley was again not feeling well, she seemed to have a sore throat again, so was battling to feed.

Claudia decided to grab an opportunity to get here a bottle while she was distracted - hence the feed on the breakfast table in the kitchen. Definitely not the most elegant feeding spot but at least she got the bottle down.

Hibiscus Girl

Just a quick pic from last week. We took a walk and borrowed a flower along the way...

'Cause she is cute...

Holding a Bottle

As I mentioned, Riley has found her hands...

She is not very good at it yet, but she can "hold" her own bottle for a short while and drink too.

Young "driver" with eyes shut...

Riley has started to get much better control of her hands. The other night when we were at Dom's for dinner, she decided that she could hold onto the bar of her feeding chair. This was so comfortable that she even fell asleep while holding on.

Flower Girl

Riley still really loves being outside in the garden. On the odd occasion when she gets niggly, taking her outside can really calm her down. She likes all the colours and the wind in her face.

The picture was taken late afternoon, on the steps in the front garden.

Trip to meet Nana

Last week-end Claudia, Riley and I went off to introduce Riley to Nana. At three months old we felt the time was right to make the trip.

Riley was a real star on the plane. She didn't make a sound all the way. Even other passengers on the plane were surprised to find that we had a baby with us when we landed.

On Saturday afternoon we went to Chris and Deon for tea. We had a very nice time and got a chance to catch up and introduce Riley to them as well.

Coincidently Riley was pretty much the same age as Crystin was when we went upt o Pretoria for Nana's 80th birthday. Deon also spent some time with Crystin then, as he did with Riley this time around.

It was also great to get Nana and Riley together, especially now while Riley is so smiley. Riley seemed to take to Riley very well. The only "odd" thing was that Riley really wanted to suck Nana's fingers. She just couldn't work out how to get this right without sucking her own hands at the same time.

The flight back on Kulula was OK. The flight was delayed by about an hour, which kind of messed with our plans a bit... But Riley once again turned out to be a real star. She once again behaved so well. She actually seemed to enjoy the flight.

There was one tiny bit of turbulence, which resulted in a bit of a stomach lurch. This resulted in Riley having a bit of a giggle/smile.

Thanks to Chris and Stacie for putting up with us for the week-end, as usual they went out of their way, and we had agreat time in their new house.

Crystin's Computer Art

We all went o Melanie and Greg's today for lunch. I asked Crystin to draw a picture that I could take with to Nana next week-end. Next thing she wanted to draw on the computer, because she had been playing her Barbie game. So I opened up MS Paint, and showed her how to draw a few circles and squares.

Next thing Melanie called me to show me the Windmill she had drawn, then she wanted to draw a person etc.

The only help I gave was to make sure that the shapes were closed so that she could paint them etc. And even this only when the paint "leaked out" and obliterated the whole thing.

I am still amazed at how well she did.

Bunny at Supper Time

When Claudia and I try and eat supper, we have to put Riley in her "feeding" chair, which can be easily rocked etc. She seems quite happy, especially if she has her Bunny, which she can hug and who's ears are easy to hold onto.

Riley Reading

As you may remember, we bought Riley a "book" for Christmas. She has quite taken to the book. It has little red strings, which she uses to fling it onto her face, she then lies under it and gurgles.

As you can see she also get a grip on the side, and won't let go.

Riley doing Gym

I mentioned once before that Riley now does gym... This is a short video of her work out.

Dish Magazine - March 2007

The other day at work my staff pointed out this picture in the March 2007 Dish Magazine. They thought that it looked like me (obviously with more hair than I have now...). What do you think? You can click on the picture to get a bigger version. Use the comments link below to let us know what you think. Mom seemed quite convinced.

Glorious Summer days in Durban.

This evening was a really cool one after a hot humid day. Riley really like being outside, especially when there is a breeze blowing, so we sat outside for a while.

Security Blanket

Lately when Riley is feeding or dozing, she likes to hold on to something. This afternoon she fell asleep holding on to my fingers. She spat out her dummy, but was not letting go.

Mel and Greg

Melanie and Greg (with he girls) came through for a visit today, which was very nice. Riley has been very alert and smiley, so Melanie had great fun getting her to laugh etc. Riley also seems to enjoy all the attention. The girls also couldn't get enough of her and were always ready to hand toys and entertain.

Youngest Heat reader

This morning while lying in bed, I was paging through Claudia's Heat magazine with Riley lying next to me when I noticed that if I didn't page quickly enough she started to complain. She seemed to enjoy all the brightly coloured pictures etc.

Pilates Baby

Claudia and Riley have been going to weekly "baby gym" classes. AT the session last week, it was suggested that to help with babies who do not like being on their stomaches they be taught to enjoy this with a small exercise ball. As you can see Riley quite enjoys this.

There are also a few other exercises to help with development etc.

Bath Time

Riley has really started to enjoy her bath time. She now only really cries when we take her out to dress her. While in the bath she is really happy. As you can see, the bubbles etc make this a cute picture, and Riley looks like she is on her fathers yacht (which he is still waiting for).

Miles of Smiles

Riley has really started smiling and reacting to people. She smiles and makes noises when you talk to her. As you can see she has a wicked grin.

Supergirl

The picture says it all...

Not feeling too good

Riley has not been feeling too well lately, she has had a rash, which got a lot worse on Wednesday, and she went off her food, so we decided to take her for a visit to Dr D, the friendly paediatrician. He took all the details and before examining her said he thought she probably had a throat infection, which low and behold she did.

She is not on antibiotics and nose drops till Sunday. She is also on panado drops to keep her temperature down... it has been a bit high. The effect of the panado though is to zonk her a bit. She spends most fo the day sleeping. The picture above is teh result of the first dose on Wednesday.

First Pony Tail

Today Mom decided to dress me all in Blue and Green, so to save my admirers from embarassment, we put a pink pony in my hair... It didn't last long but looked cute anyway.

Hey Buster... Wheres my Bottle?

Last night after a bath etc. It was time for Riley to feed. I obviously took too long........

Smiley Riley

The smiles have started... Still not on command, but if you are patient, they can be photographed.

Riley is all smiles, even at the most unexpected times, when she has been demanding food and the bottle appears...

She even enjoyed her bath last night. Unfortunately no pictures, just video, which you will have to wait to see. She spent so much time in the bath that she actually started getting prune skin. Believe it or not she even let me splash water in her face... with NO fuss at all, which is definitely a first.

Will see if Brett will tell me how to post a video? How about it Brett?

Sleep Dog

We have been trying to get Riley used to sleeping with toy, to allow her to sooth herself when needed. We have two of these pink dogs, and she does seem to cuddle up to them when she sleeps. The dog is normally placed so that she can see it while she is going to sleep, but we often find her with her nose touching it.

Also, take a look at the hair. I brushed it up when she had bathed, and it stays that way for the next day... There doesn't seem to be as much hair anymore, but still more that most babies.