Papa's birthday

I woke up early as usual, and was extra excited today because it is Papa's birthday. I made a card specially for him. But because I did not know how to sign my name, I drew a picture of my hand inside the card. Papa was very pleased, he smiled and gave me a big, big hug. We all went out for lunch, and I played many new games this afternoon. In addition to my usual hiding place, I now have two others. I was so thrilled that Gugu also made me a tent by putting a blanket over my baby-gym.

Gugu also cooked me something special for my meals this week. I enjoyed eating her spicy chicken barley stew, but grandma thinks it's too lumpy for me right now. I now get to hold some of my own food, like rice cakes and pieces of apple, and I enjoy this independence although much ends up on the floor.

I have also a routine in my workout: this is where I stand with my hands on a stool. It slides as I push while walking forward. It is a lot easier to walk with than Gugu's big green ball.

Papa and Grandma took me to the hairdresser's on Friday. This was my third haircut, and I was surrounded by several pretty ladies giving me attention. Not at all like the last time, which was a hairy experience ;-0, through which I cried all the way. This time the man was much nicer, but I was still a little bit afraid when he started to cut my hair. Papa got his haircut first, then sat me on his lap for mine, but I wouldn't sit still when I saw his scissors. In the end, I buried my face in Papa's chest as he was cutting.

I also went swimming once this week. Papa says I swam better than the last time, but still not as good as before. Gugu says that I am growing very curious, and thinks that I've been distracted by the people around me.

My routine

I eat 3 very square meals a day, and I have fresh fruit for afternoon tea. I now weigh 24lbs (12kg) and I am 2ft 6 in (76 cm) tall.

My workout routine has taken an upswing the last few weeks. I have been concentrating on the "land-based" activities, to the extent that Papa says that I have now forgotten how to swim :-(. I still cruise around, and now have some favourite hidey-holes around the house. In getting to these hidey-holes, I found that I needed to have a lower clearance so I learnt to crawl around on my belly like they do in combat training.

I play peek-a-boo and also hide and seek. I also like to throw things on the floor for Papa to pick up. I have some more new tricks: I saw Grandpa drinking his tea, and I want to drink out of my cup just like him; I also now like to squirm out of Grandma's arms when she is holding me. That way, I can escape when I'm tired of being held :-0. It wasn't so funny when I took Grandma by surprise today and bumped my head.

Mummy left for Paris on Thursday night, she was very sad to go. Papa says that he wants us to move permanently to Hong Kong. I think it's cool because now I can have Gugu cook delicious meals for me all the time.

Christmas in Nanjing

This week, Mom and Papa took me on a trip. Now I have some more chops in my passport :-) We spent one whole week in Nanjing, where Mommy grew up. We did some sight-seeing, and I visited a place dedicated to the worship of my direct ascendant Confucius. We stayed in a hotel, where they prepared a very comfortable Teddy-sized bed for me :-) in the same room as Mummy and Papa. Luckily I sleep so soundly, and Papa's snoring didn't bother me very much.

I met my [other] grandparents, who looked after me for quite a lot of the time during our stay. My Grandmother was so pleased to see me for the first time that she picked me up and hugged me like a bear. She also asked me why I said 'baba' so much of the time and 'mum' when I'm hungry. Of course, I forgive her for not understanding baby-talk. In fact, 'ba' is the sound I find easiest to make, and 'mum' means food.....

My grandparents wondered if my skin was yellow in colour because I liked so much to eat pumpkin, carrots and sweet potatoes. They were also surprised that I wore my Huggies, because most babies in China run around without wearing them.

On the night before we left Nanjing, they held a dinner party to celebrate our home-coming, and invited all their relatives. There must have been about thirty people if I could count so far up... All the relatives were fighting for a turn to hold me. I was a real hit, as I smiled all the time whilst being passed from hand to hand. Fortunately, the evening ended early, and I was taken back to the hotel to bed.

We're back in Hong Kong now, and it's good to be home. I've missed not having a room to myself. What's more, it's tiring being on the road, because it's difficult to keep to your routine.

Papa and Mummy are back

Mom and Papa have been here in Hong Kong one week already!

Papa has been impressed with the way I am now cruising all over the place. So fast, so furious;-) I can crawl around, and pull myself up to a standing position with ease every now and then. Occasionally, I catch the adults unawares, and send cups of water tumbling down onto the ground.

I blow raspberries quite a lot. The big people think I'm spitting, but in fact I am trying to see what different sounds of the alphabet I can make. We have a good deal, as I enjoy making sounds, and everybody is amused by the process.

I was so chuffed to receive a card from England from my auntie Helen. I love it firstly because it said "baby's first Christmas card" on it, and secondly because it tasted delicious. Papa laughed loudly when he noticed that I had demolished one of the corners.

Happy Halloween!

As of Tuesday, I have 4 upper teeth; and as of yesterday, I have 4 lower teeth. My poor gums are itching quite a lot, and I just have to sink my teeth into anything I can get my hands on. So far, Rubber Duckie is standing up to the punishment, but I have destroyed 2 books and numerous scraps of paper. Auntie said she thought about getting me a Count Dracula costume.

It's all very topical, as today is Hallow'een. Aggie bought me a pumpkin suit. Papa says that I look like the pumpkin with my eight teeth; I love it because I can dress up and go 'trick or treating'. I'm looking forward to the sweets, and I'm also just dying to put spiders and stink-bombs through people's letter boxes for a trick.

I took a liking to Grandma's watch, so she gave it to me to wear :-) I can now tell the time: breakfast time, lunch time, tea time and dinner time ;-)

Auntie sent me some booties from England so I don't hurt my feet when I start walking. I still crawl around now much quicker than before, and am now quite stable on my two feet when I am holding onto something. I have started to cruise around the place that way hanging onto the furniture.

Goodbye, I have to go trick-or-treating now.