5 September

We have begun to settle into a new routine, now that Max is on three meals a day. We are trying to also anticipate when he is tired, in order to make the daytime sleeping a bit easier. Mostly, it is working. He's having five feeds a day, and since we reduced the calorie level of the formula, he's actually drinking more. He's eating pretty much anything we throw at him (peas this morning), up to 6 tablespoons of food each meal. We only tried avocado the once as he screwed up his face enormously! We will try it again at some point. The fruit this week has been Pawpaw, which I tried as it was listed in one of my baby food books. Max seems to eat it fine, but I must say it smells and tastes revolting to me.

Father's Day was fun - Max & I visited Tato at work to give him his present - see photo!

We've been going to the movies most weeks, to the 'Babes In Arms' sessions (full of babies, prams and parents walking up & down aisles!). Actually very good fun, and it makes us get out as a family more - even if it is only for a few hours.

The last day or so has seen Max have a bit of a snuffly nose - other than a bit of noise at night it doesn't seem to worry him, but we are our usual paranoid selves. He's currently wrapped up very warmly! Hopefully it's only a touch of a cold and will pass.

His last physio appointment went rather well. He was in a foul mood - I think he was too hot - but he did all that was asked of him, and did the things he normally does at home. He's almost rolling, but this isn't consistent at all. His 'tummy time' is much better, and his upper body is getting stronger. Wendy (physio) gave me a couple of ways to help encourage him to hold his head up when he's sitting. He can't sit on his own, but loves to sit or 'stand' on our laps when we hold him.

He has had a bit of a 'lazy eye' recently, where he goes cross-eyed occasionally. I have been told it's a developmental thing and mostly this kind of symptom passes as the child grows, but the opthamologist has asked to see him earlier than scheduled - November instead of December. Hopefully by then it will have resolved itself. If not, he may need a patch on the 'good' eye to encourage the 'bad' eye to work and to ensure the messages to the vison centre of the brain are being received equally from both eyes. He may be long-sighted, so glasses may be the solution. Whatever.

It's the last 'formal' week of our Mothers' Group this week. I am hoping that the members will be keen to continue meeting together. They really are a good group - I'm lucky. They are almost all girls, (only one other boy), but the mums all seem to be around my age - no one very much older or younger.We are planning the big move - Max into his own room. We were going to do it this week, but now that he's a little sick (well, with a bit of a runny nose), I'm not putting him anywhere. Maybe next week.

(Other photos 1-at a friend's 21st - the theme was "Gangsters & Flappers" / 2- my current favourite photo!)