Video Post #30: If you're happy and you know it...

If you'd like to see a comparison with his early days, click here.

Teddy Bears Picnic

We had a lovely time this week with the Gabalfa Mums and Tots group with a teddy bears picnic at Maitland Park. It was a lovely sunny day and each child had brought along their teddy! Zachary brought a rabbit, as it was the closest we had to a cuddly bear.

Zachary has had Floppy the rabbit since he was born

Zachary enjoyed watching the bigger children run up and down with their teddies as they ran some teddy races.

Zachary wonders what it's like to run

He sat down with the other children for some teddy related songs, rhymes and a story...

Zachary wonders if he can get away with stealing the bigger girl's teddy

Then it was time for the yummy picnic...

Picnicking is thirsty work!

Zachary had a wonderful time after lunch on the slide and see-saw:

Yee-haw!

Video Post #29: Strawberry Surprise!

Moving On Up

Zachary loves to grab anything he can get his hands on. He's most interested if it's any of the following: 

a) Out of his reach - grabbing for glasses on the coffee table
b) Not a toy - he likes to chew on wires, shoelaces and hair
c) Something Mummy and Daddy use - TV remotes are his favourite
d) Something he shouldn't eat - after he's been sick, he likes nothing better than trying to pick up and eat the small chunks of food from the pool of vomit!
e) Inside a bag or box - he loves emptying the contents of his changing bag and trying to eat nappy bags

Zachary finds a sock for his breakfast

Zachary has become a lot more agile in the past week and now is a confident crawler. He also likes to pull himself up while holding onto the coffee table, but can only manage to get onto his knees. He leans on the coffee table but forgets that he needs to keep hold of the table and often topples over, banging his head on the table; he now has an array of marks on his forehead.

Zachary prepares to head-butt the table.

Zachary wants Daddy's tasty fruit and nut porridge instead of his own plain porridge

After failing to acquire Daddy's porridge, Zachary decides to eat the table

As you can see, Zachary loves to move around and grab things, but no matter where he goes and what he grabs, Dribble Pony remains close to his heart...

Mangy and drenched in slobber, but it's great to keep him happy when we're out

Video Post #28: Wednesday Workout

A Wonderful Weekend in North Wales

We headed to North Wales last weekend for a family gathering with the Dobsons: 9 of us in total. We stayed in a fantastic cottage in a small village called Llansannan and made the most of the lovely bank holiday weather by lots of trips to the surrounding area; Zachary once again had a great time playing with his relatives. Here are the highlights:

Our spacious cottage, with games room, huge lounge, dining room and trampoline (Zachary's favourite)!

Zachary has a bounce

We journeyed on a windy but beautiful route into Snowdonia; Zachary wasn't too fussed...

Zachary fast asleep, sporting his favourite hairstyle

Stunning views of Snowdonia

After a short but steep walk, we reached Dolbadarn Castle - a great lookout point over the mountains. 

Zachary is always happy in his baby rucksack, unless it's windy; fortunately, it wasn't too bad

Wandering around the castle with Uncle Bar and Daddy

Grandad Harry hides behind Zachary to avoid being in the photo

We drove on to the island of Anglesey and couldn't resist stopping to show Zachary the boats.

Uncle Bar shows Zachary the boats and the view of the mainland from Anglesey

Beaumaris castle on Anglesey has its own moat and we were able to walk along the top edge of the ruin for more great views.

The castle and the mainland

Uncle Bar and Daddy show Zachary around

Uncle Humphrey and Auntie Amanda like moats

The following day (we won't mention the BBQ disaster of the previous evening), we headed to a local church and then later to a nearby reservoir for an archaeological walk; unfortunately, it was a little chilly.

Pushing the buggy along a stony path

Zachary got a little angry at the wind so had his own wind break

Not quite as warm as it looks

On the Bank Holiday Monday, we packed everything up to leave and Zachary said his last goodbyes to the lovely house with the help of Grandad Harry...

One last go on the baby trampoline (there was also an adult one, but he preferred the small one)

Climbing the stairs with Grandad

We travelled into Denbigh on our final day in North Wales and enjoyed a visit to Denbigh Castle (my personal favourite, as it had lots of interesting nooks and crannies). It was extremely sunny and warm: how unusual for a Bank Holiday!

Amazing views from the top of the ruin

The Dobsons gather for a photo

We hadn't come prepared for such unusual weather in Wales, so Zachary had a makeshift muslin hat

Uncle Humphrey, Auntie Amanda and Auntie Marilla enjoy exploring the ruin

Enjoying the ride around the castle

After a tasty picnic on the grass and a quick stop at a coffee shop, it was time to say our goodbyes. Thanks to Grandma Jeanette and Grandad Harry for organising such a brilliant holiday!

Video Post #27: Bouncy Baby!

Crawling!

Zachary has been very keen to move around over the past few weeks, beginning by lifting his bottom and pushing himself backwards, covering the whole room in a few minutes. This week he made his first few steps crawling forwards and has begun trying to stand up while pushing against an object. Time to fully baby-proof the house!

Look away for just a moment and he'll be on the other side of the room

Zachary is still as violent as ever, pinching, scratching and pulling hair at every opportunity, but isn't too happy when other babies do the same to him! Mummy is the target of Zachary's most violent attacks, as he searches for milk.

Looking innocent

Mealtimes are still going well: Zachary is always keen to feed himself, grabbing the spoon at every opportunity and attempting to feed himself, always with very messy consequences!

Sweet potato is his friend

If Zachary is a little grumpy, the best tactic is to put him in an unusual place, allowing him to explore the new and interesting surroundings. Here he is helping Mummy with the washing:

Zachary prepares for his first bath in the washing machine