We are still in Nanjing visiting Uncle Chris, Anne, and Nome and Grandaddy--updates soon...
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year, Everybody!
Happy 2009!
We are still in Nanjing visiting Uncle Chris, Anne, and Nome and Grandaddy--updates soon...
We are still in Nanjing visiting Uncle Chris, Anne, and Nome and Grandaddy--updates soon...
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas, Everybody!
We've had a great day opening presents, eating ham and BBQ food with Granma and Lili!
Tomorrow we leave for Nanjing China to see Chris and Anne and Noname and Grandaddy! Fun times! Merry Christmas!
Tomorrow we leave for Nanjing China to see Chris and Anne and Noname and Grandaddy! Fun times! Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Birthday Updates 2: Daddy
For Daddy's birthday, we had a party at Granma's with dim sum, lychees, cupcakes and other goodies! Granma and Lili even danced and sang to Rolf Harris, who they had seen in Sydney the day prior.
That evening we had drinks and a Vietnamese dinner with some of Daddy and Mama's friends, such as Vicky and James, Angus and Rachel, Nina and Tom, and Amber and Rebecca. Jackson had fun visiting with everyone.
The next morning, we woke up and had blueberry muffins and Daddy opened more presents.
Daddy had a day off work, and Mama drove us out to Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary--separate post about that soon.
That evening we had drinks and a Vietnamese dinner with some of Daddy and Mama's friends, such as Vicky and James, Angus and Rachel, Nina and Tom, and Amber and Rebecca. Jackson had fun visiting with everyone.
The next morning, we woke up and had blueberry muffins and Daddy opened more presents.
Daddy had a day off work, and Mama drove us out to Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary--separate post about that soon.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Birthday Updates 1: Lili
Here are some photos from Lili's birthday party.
Jackson can't believe the numbers--he didn't think Lili was a day over 30!
We had fun!
Jackson can't believe the numbers--he didn't think Lili was a day over 30!
We had fun!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Things Jackson Can Do At 16 Months
Jackson has been learning and growing so fast these last few weeks!
This week we realised he can count to 2, and we are working on 3 (and beyond).
He also uses over 100 words regularly. Mama made a list of the ones she could think of:
FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Mama, Daddy, Jackson, Piper, Granma, Lili, Ben, 'Nome, Grandaddy, Peter, Voula, Roger
ANIMALS AND ANIMAL SOUNDS
miaow, cat, duck, quack, dog, oof oof (dog barking), owl, hoo hoo (owl sounds), baa (sheep), moo (cow), bird, squirrel, goose, fish, chicken, chicks, rooster, pig, turtle, frog, ssssss (snake), emu, devil (as in Tasmanian), cheetah, lion, tiger, monkey, gorilla, brown bear
FOODS AND EATING
apple, banana, strawberry, peach, blueberry, pasta, pizza, chicken, fish, tuna, bread, juice, water, pickle, cheese, snack, fork, bib, bottle, milk
CLOTHES
shoes, t-shirt, jumper, hat, bra, nappy (pronounced "nah-mee"--watch out Noname!)
BODY PARTS
eyes, ears, nose, mouth, teeth, hair, hands, feet, toes, belly/tummy, hair, knees
OTHER THINGS
baby, pram, clock, air (airplane or helicopter), bus, train, car, tram, truck, money, bath, book, ball, ballooon, meter, flower, pen, door, wall, keys, pink, yellow
EXPRESSIONS
hello? (while holding a mobile phone to his ear), bye bye, no, yeah (rarely used!), noah? (where are you?), door! (let's go!), big truck! (or big car, big shoe, etc: look, it's a big...!), poo (when he or someone else is using the toilet/needs a nappy change), teeth (wants to brush his teeth), up up up! (look, it's an airplane or helicopter!), love you (ends with a kiss)
Jackson also understands way more than he can say. If you ask him to retrieve something, he usually understands and responds accordingly: "Go get Mama's comb, please" OR "Where did you hide my keys, Jackson?" OR "Let's put the cat food tins away now".
This week we realised he can count to 2, and we are working on 3 (and beyond).
He also uses over 100 words regularly. Mama made a list of the ones she could think of:
FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Mama, Daddy, Jackson, Piper, Granma, Lili, Ben, 'Nome, Grandaddy, Peter, Voula, Roger
ANIMALS AND ANIMAL SOUNDS
miaow, cat, duck, quack, dog, oof oof (dog barking), owl, hoo hoo (owl sounds), baa (sheep), moo (cow), bird, squirrel, goose, fish, chicken, chicks, rooster, pig, turtle, frog, ssssss (snake), emu, devil (as in Tasmanian), cheetah, lion, tiger, monkey, gorilla, brown bear
FOODS AND EATING
apple, banana, strawberry, peach, blueberry, pasta, pizza, chicken, fish, tuna, bread, juice, water, pickle, cheese, snack, fork, bib, bottle, milk
CLOTHES
shoes, t-shirt, jumper, hat, bra, nappy (pronounced "nah-mee"--watch out Noname!)
BODY PARTS
eyes, ears, nose, mouth, teeth, hair, hands, feet, toes, belly/tummy, hair, knees
OTHER THINGS
baby, pram, clock, air (airplane or helicopter), bus, train, car, tram, truck, money, bath, book, ball, ballooon, meter, flower, pen, door, wall, keys, pink, yellow
EXPRESSIONS
hello? (while holding a mobile phone to his ear), bye bye, no, yeah (rarely used!), noah? (where are you?), door! (let's go!), big truck! (or big car, big shoe, etc: look, it's a big...!), poo (when he or someone else is using the toilet/needs a nappy change), teeth (wants to brush his teeth), up up up! (look, it's an airplane or helicopter!), love you (ends with a kiss)
Jackson also understands way more than he can say. If you ask him to retrieve something, he usually understands and responds accordingly: "Go get Mama's comb, please" OR "Where did you hide my keys, Jackson?" OR "Let's put the cat food tins away now".
Monday, December 15, 2008
Happy Birthday, Daddy!
Today was Daddy's birthday (in Australia--a day earlier than for those of you in the US).
Photos and more updates soon!
Photos and more updates soon!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Happy Birthday Lili!
Yesterday was Lili's birthday! We had a party on Sunday--photos soon!
We love you, Lili!
We love you, Lili!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Happy Belated Thanksgiving!
We haven't been on the internet lately as we move between rented accommdation, Granma's house, and now another rental accommodation.
However, we had a little Thanksgiving celebration at Granma's. We ate turkey and we dressed as Pilgrims (Jackson and Mama) and Natives (Granma and Daddy) instead of pilgrims and Indians.
However, we had a little Thanksgiving celebration at Granma's. We ate turkey and we dressed as Pilgrims (Jackson and Mama) and Natives (Granma and Daddy) instead of pilgrims and Indians.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Melbourne Cup Day
Last week in Melbourne it was Cup Week. Lots of people take off from work, get all dressed up and go to the races. Tuesday was a public holiday, so Mama and Daddy and Jackson invited Granma and Lili around for a BBQ! Granma brought some lovely wine and champagne and Lili made a beautiful pavlova from scratch.
Then we did an old tradition of Lili and Daddy's: we drew horse names for the big race! The winner got our pool of $25, while the loser had to change Jackson's nappy!
Lili's horse won the race, but Granma's horse came in last!
After the race, we all went for a walk on Williamstown seafront and looked at the boats and Melbourne skyline.
Then we did an old tradition of Lili and Daddy's: we drew horse names for the big race! The winner got our pool of $25, while the loser had to change Jackson's nappy!
Lili's horse won the race, but Granma's horse came in last!
After the race, we all went for a walk on Williamstown seafront and looked at the boats and Melbourne skyline.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Yes He Did!
Congratulations to Daddy, who landed a great job Melbourne in no time at all!
From Thursday, he will be the new project manager of the Light in Winter Festival at Federation Square.
From Thursday, he will be the new project manager of the Light in Winter Festival at Federation Square.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Welcome Back Piper!
Piper's quarantine days finally ended a couple of weeks ago.
At first she hid away from everyone.
But after a day or so she was her old self again, and is even more adjusted to having Jackson around.
Jackson loves to give things to Piper, who usually tries to occupy him with her switching tail so she can go about her business.
At first she hid away from everyone.
But after a day or so she was her old self again, and is even more adjusted to having Jackson around.
Jackson loves to give things to Piper, who usually tries to occupy him with her switching tail so she can go about her business.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Collingwood Children's Farm
Last weekend we met Vicky and James at their house and walked to the Collingwood Children's Farm in the centre of Melbourne.
We saw many animals, such as goats and chickens and a peacocks, but Jackson's favourite was probably this cat.
Jackson got to see a cow (a "moo" to him) being milked.
We had a nice lunch and then walked along the banks of the Yarra--it didn't feel like we were even in a city, but out in the bush!
Vicky was extremely adept at pushing Jackson's pram the whole way.
We saw many animals, such as goats and chickens and a peacocks, but Jackson's favourite was probably this cat.
Jackson got to see a cow (a "moo" to him) being milked.
We had a nice lunch and then walked along the banks of the Yarra--it didn't feel like we were even in a city, but out in the bush!
Vicky was extremely adept at pushing Jackson's pram the whole way.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween!
It is already Halloween in Melbourne! Granma gave us a spooky cat and jack-o-lantern candleholder that she brought all the way back from her recent trip to Ireland.
Lili gave us a tasty homemade shepherd's pie with pumpkin, scary spider cake, and a jack-o-lantern.
Mama is making a costume for Jackson to wear to a party for under-8's here in Williamsburg, where we are temporarily residing.
More on that soon...
Lili gave us a tasty homemade shepherd's pie with pumpkin, scary spider cake, and a jack-o-lantern.
Mama is making a costume for Jackson to wear to a party for under-8's here in Williamsburg, where we are temporarily residing.
More on that soon...
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Dog Group!
Jackson loves going to the dog group that meets most days in the park behind Lili's house. Here he is with Tonka and Rosie.
He has really taken up with Simon, Tonka's owner who lives across the street from Liza.
Here he is back with in Ben in Lili's lovely back yard.
He has really taken up with Simon, Tonka's owner who lives across the street from Liza.
Here he is back with in Ben in Lili's lovely back yard.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
At Lili's House
Jackson has been spending time at Lili's while Mama and Daddy get things all set up here in Melbourne.
Next: fun with Lili, Ben, and the dog group...
Next: fun with Lili, Ben, and the dog group...
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Arriving in Melbourne
Jackson and Daddy arrived in Melbourne from Singapore about 2 weeks ago:
Jackson got to see Oscar and Felix again.
But he was SO tired he fell asleep mid-play!
Jackson got to see Oscar and Felix again.
But he was SO tired he fell asleep mid-play!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Jackson: Walking!
Here's a video Lili took of Jackson taking some of his first big steps at her house last week!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
All About Jackson At 14 Months!
Mama made a list all about Jackson for him to take with him to Australia:
SUPPLIES: BASICS TO HAVE ON HAND
• Wipes (eco/unscented/sesnitive are best)
• Nappies (for 22+lb/11+kg active babies)
• Formula (“growing up” milk)
• Sliced meat (chicken, turkey, ham—preferably with no salt or water added)
• Chicken breast for grilling or baking
• White fish
• Cheddar cheese
• Fruit (berries, banana,s apples, peaches, melon)
• Vegetables (broccoli, potatoes, carrots, peas, corn, green beans)
• Pickled gherkins
• Wholewheat bread
• Pita bread
• Pasta shapes (small)
• Pasta sauce (tomato with vegetable or tomato and cheese)
• Rice
• Snack bars
• Vegetable crisps designed for toddlers
• Houmous
• Yogurt (no sugar or sweeteners; plain or fruit)
If possible, food should be organic with only natural flavourings, and no added sugar, salt or water.
Jackson can eat most grown-up foods now; a little sugar, salt and seasoning is fine in this case. He’ll need most things chopped up a bit, but he can feed himself non-liquidy items.
Perhaps if Liza is making lamb and veggies for the dogs she could do extra for him, since he likes things cooked plainly as well.
Frozen pre-chopped vegetables or tinned vegetables (NO sugar or salt added) are the easiest way to stock up on and prepare veggies. It’s also easier to just freeze meat and fish.
SCHEDULE
6 – 7:30am Jackson wakes up, has a bottle (5oz, prepared night before), and gets dressed
8:00 Breakfast :sliced toast with a little butter and sliced fruit (especially berries and peaches)
10:30 Bottle (6 oz) and nap in cot
12:00pm Lunch: use items from supply list, or give what you’re having
3:00 Snack: banana, yogurt, or snack bar
5:00 Hors d’oeuvres: banana, yogurt, or snack bar
6 – 6:30 Dinner: similar options as lunch
7:00 Bath, teeth brushed, hair combed and bottle (8oz)
7:30 – 8:00pm Jackson goes to bed
SOME MEAL SUGGESTIONS
Deli meat and cheese with broccoli and corn
Pasta shapes with sauce
Pita bread with humous and cheese
Grilled chicken breast with steamed carrots and potatoes
Rice with chopped cooked vegetables in pasta sauce
Ham and cheese sandwich with a little mayo and vegetable crisps or pickles
Yogurt or fruit for dessert
Whatever you’re having!
WORDS JACKSON KNOWS (TO PRACTICE)
Mama, Daddy, Piper, Jackson, high-five!, cat, dog, duck, quack, bird, leaf, shoes, socks, hair, eyes, nose, mouth, bath, bottle, snack, cheese, potato, toast, broccoli, strawberry, water, bye-bye, goodnight, hello, kiss, cuddle, hug, nappy, toes, up, down, uh –oh, bus (“beep beep”), owl (“hoo hoo”)
Other words you can work on are names of people and pets, body parts, clothes, food, and animals—anything and everything! Work on one or two a day. Once he hears a word once, it sticks with him!
SOME FAVOURITE BOOKS JACKSON KNOWS BY NAME
Brown Bear, Where’s the Baby?, Janet and John, the Ladybug Book, Boo! (Baby), Goodnight Moon, Mog books, the Kitten Book, the Farm Book, the Zoo Book, Eye to Eye
(Please make sure to read books together each day—he will usually bring them to you to read!)
OTHER WAYS TO HAVE FUN
Colour/draw with crayons
Sort shapes
Go through drawers/boxes (you can make him his own with safe objects)
Play with safe kitchen utensils (let him take them in and out of a box)
Stack and knock down blocks or stacking cups
Swim
Go to playgrounds/parks or walk around the neighbourhood
Look at photographs and talk about the people and animals
Climb up and down stairs
Get to know pet friends
Practice walking
SLEEPING COMFORTABLY
Use the monitor’s temperature to know how to dress Jackson for bed:
21 C and below: woolly footed sleep suit, or long sleep suit with grow bag
22 C – 23 C: long footless sleep suit only
24 C and above: short pajamas
Make sure there are friends like Leopard and Dog waiting in his cot.
Whether he has a bath or not, always brush his teeth and comb his hair last thing and call out goodnight to loved ones. As you go into the darkened room together say something like: “goodnight everyone and goodnight everything; goodnight Jackson”.
SUPPLIES: BASICS TO HAVE ON HAND
• Wipes (eco/unscented/sesnitive are best)
• Nappies (for 22+lb/11+kg active babies)
• Formula (“growing up” milk)
• Sliced meat (chicken, turkey, ham—preferably with no salt or water added)
• Chicken breast for grilling or baking
• White fish
• Cheddar cheese
• Fruit (berries, banana,s apples, peaches, melon)
• Vegetables (broccoli, potatoes, carrots, peas, corn, green beans)
• Pickled gherkins
• Wholewheat bread
• Pita bread
• Pasta shapes (small)
• Pasta sauce (tomato with vegetable or tomato and cheese)
• Rice
• Snack bars
• Vegetable crisps designed for toddlers
• Houmous
• Yogurt (no sugar or sweeteners; plain or fruit)
If possible, food should be organic with only natural flavourings, and no added sugar, salt or water.
Jackson can eat most grown-up foods now; a little sugar, salt and seasoning is fine in this case. He’ll need most things chopped up a bit, but he can feed himself non-liquidy items.
Perhaps if Liza is making lamb and veggies for the dogs she could do extra for him, since he likes things cooked plainly as well.
Frozen pre-chopped vegetables or tinned vegetables (NO sugar or salt added) are the easiest way to stock up on and prepare veggies. It’s also easier to just freeze meat and fish.
SCHEDULE
6 – 7:30am Jackson wakes up, has a bottle (5oz, prepared night before), and gets dressed
8:00 Breakfast :sliced toast with a little butter and sliced fruit (especially berries and peaches)
10:30 Bottle (6 oz) and nap in cot
12:00pm Lunch: use items from supply list, or give what you’re having
3:00 Snack: banana, yogurt, or snack bar
5:00 Hors d’oeuvres: banana, yogurt, or snack bar
6 – 6:30 Dinner: similar options as lunch
7:00 Bath, teeth brushed, hair combed and bottle (8oz)
7:30 – 8:00pm Jackson goes to bed
SOME MEAL SUGGESTIONS
Deli meat and cheese with broccoli and corn
Pasta shapes with sauce
Pita bread with humous and cheese
Grilled chicken breast with steamed carrots and potatoes
Rice with chopped cooked vegetables in pasta sauce
Ham and cheese sandwich with a little mayo and vegetable crisps or pickles
Yogurt or fruit for dessert
Whatever you’re having!
WORDS JACKSON KNOWS (TO PRACTICE)
Mama, Daddy, Piper, Jackson, high-five!, cat, dog, duck, quack, bird, leaf, shoes, socks, hair, eyes, nose, mouth, bath, bottle, snack, cheese, potato, toast, broccoli, strawberry, water, bye-bye, goodnight, hello, kiss, cuddle, hug, nappy, toes, up, down, uh –oh, bus (“beep beep”), owl (“hoo hoo”)
Other words you can work on are names of people and pets, body parts, clothes, food, and animals—anything and everything! Work on one or two a day. Once he hears a word once, it sticks with him!
SOME FAVOURITE BOOKS JACKSON KNOWS BY NAME
Brown Bear, Where’s the Baby?, Janet and John, the Ladybug Book, Boo! (Baby), Goodnight Moon, Mog books, the Kitten Book, the Farm Book, the Zoo Book, Eye to Eye
(Please make sure to read books together each day—he will usually bring them to you to read!)
OTHER WAYS TO HAVE FUN
Colour/draw with crayons
Sort shapes
Go through drawers/boxes (you can make him his own with safe objects)
Play with safe kitchen utensils (let him take them in and out of a box)
Stack and knock down blocks or stacking cups
Swim
Go to playgrounds/parks or walk around the neighbourhood
Look at photographs and talk about the people and animals
Climb up and down stairs
Get to know pet friends
Practice walking
SLEEPING COMFORTABLY
Use the monitor’s temperature to know how to dress Jackson for bed:
21 C and below: woolly footed sleep suit, or long sleep suit with grow bag
22 C – 23 C: long footless sleep suit only
24 C and above: short pajamas
Make sure there are friends like Leopard and Dog waiting in his cot.
Whether he has a bath or not, always brush his teeth and comb his hair last thing and call out goodnight to loved ones. As you go into the darkened room together say something like: “goodnight everyone and goodnight everything; goodnight Jackson”.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Jackson's First Haircut
Jackson was in desperate need of a haircut before he left for Australia!
We went to Mama's hairdressers, but he wasn't in, so his assistant cut Jackson's hair.
She did a great job considering Jackson spent most of the time shaking his head and standing up to dance to the Foo Fighters playing on the stereo!
We went to Mama's hairdressers, but he wasn't in, so his assistant cut Jackson's hair.
She did a great job considering Jackson spent most of the time shaking his head and standing up to dance to the Foo Fighters playing on the stereo!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Bye Bye Brighton
Daddy and Jackson left for our new life in Melbourne last Sunday!
We shipped a lot of boxes to Melbourne
We put the house up for sale (before then deciding to rent it out for awhile instead).
We booked some parking spaces for the movers
We had a going away party that all our friends and neighbours attended, including John (who was dressed exactly like Jackson).
And we said goodbye to Sunshine Nursery, especially Jackson's special carer, Ida.
We shipped a lot of boxes to Melbourne
We put the house up for sale (before then deciding to rent it out for awhile instead).
We booked some parking spaces for the movers
We had a going away party that all our friends and neighbours attended, including John (who was dressed exactly like Jackson).
And we said goodbye to Sunshine Nursery, especially Jackson's special carer, Ida.
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