Ethan making funny noises

We have already taught Ethan to do the "Indian call" by putting his hand over his mouth as he is blowing out so Adam thought he'd try to get Ethan to make a blub blub blub noise by teaching him to move his finger up and down over the lips as you blow out. This is Ethan's version.

Pics of our family

We usually try to go on walks when the weather is good.. and no I haven't cut my hair- it's just in a messy ponytail. Ethan has been pretty miserable catching cold after cold. Also for the past few days, he's had a sore on his tongue and a sore throat on top of teething. ( He's getting his pointy teeth- incisors that didn't hurt too much but it's the ones beside those two, that is causing him pain because they are bigger. He's been taking liquid ibuprofen for fever, teething gel, and honey n' glucose syrup for his throat. Today, he's much better and much happier. He has also started patting his chest somewhat like a gorilla pounding on its chest but he does a pat pat pat sound which is lighter. Very cute and I am hoping to get it on video. Yesterday morning was amazingly hot. Around 23 degrees C in our house and outside even warmer outside so I took Ethan for a ride in his stroller for an hr and half. We were in shorts! I didn't think that would happen! Then he had a nap and we played while daddy got some much needed work done. In the evening, we went over to Mama and Papa Zee's for a BBQ and to play with doggie Bruno. Adam and I were really excited. Ethan just decided to go for a nap just before we left to go to their place. When we got there, we put him on the couch with lots of pillows around him. Then went into the garden, but just as we were going to sit down and eat, it started getting cold, windy and started to thunder and lightening. So we moved dinner inside, Ethan must have known dinner was ready because he woke up just before we were ready to eat. Dinner was lovely. Ethan ate really well too. I've made him Shee fan ( Rice congee with chicken and egg) He really likes it and it's a relief to see him eating solids again after the last few days. He also has been trying banana but today was the first time he actually ate pieces of it! Yay! As most of you already know, Adam (Daddy) has kidney failure and his transplant is scheduled a week from now on Aug 7th. Mama Zee has been working tirelessly and has found a flat (apartment) in Manchester for Uncle Dan and Josh when they go back to University in the fall but also to act a place for us to stay during the transplant and Adam's and Papa Zee's stay in the hospital. Grandma Mary is also coming down to be with us. So many heartfelt thanks to Mama Zee. We love you!!!

OOOH, what big feet I have.

Here is Ethan and daddy being silly.

All in a day

The afternoon on Sunday was rainy and icky but that didn't stop Adam and Ethan from going on a walk. I cleverly attached an umbrella on the back carrier- but didn't realize that the rain would drip off and go right down the neck of Adam's jacket-- oops. As they got home, the rain stopped and a gorgeous rainbow came out. I was bit slow to get the camera in time and only managed to get half of it.

Then it was bath time. Off came the diaper and into the tub Ethan went. Haha. Look at those chubbier arms and legs!

These were taken on different days and are very short but still very cute.

Ingleton Gala

I have already forgotten which day I took Ethan to Ingleton Playgroup, but the ladies there mentioned a big Gala on Saturday. So Mama Zee and I took Ethan to see his first ever parade. Uncle Robin was it the Batala (pronounced Bat- ah- la ) not Bahtahla as the announcer said it. Its a samba drumming band that perform all over the UK. The weather was rainy on minute, and sunny the next but we had fun and soon , Adam, Papa Zee and Uncle Dan joined us.

Ethan doesn't like the rain cover. I think he feels too enclosed.

Pic 1: The start of the parade. Pic 2: The Batala band Pic 3: Uncle Robin in the middle. Mama Zee watching the parade floats. Papa Zee and Uncle Dan with Ethan. Uncle Robin's Big Performance It must be said that Uncle Robin and the guy to his right had the most difficult job. They drummed non stop for more an hour and a half. Which could account for his serious face. His arms must have been killing him!

Here is a video!

Meat loaf muffin supper to full on yogurt breakfast

Well, over the weekend, we were running low on food and had ground beef (mince meat in the UK) and I decided to make meatloaf for the first time. Smashing up some of Ethan's organic biscuits for crumbs, onion.a couple of eggs and ground beef. Unfortunately, we didn't have a loaf pan so being creative, I smushed the meat mixture into a muffin tin. It worked out pretty well and Adam and Ethan enjoyed their meatloaf muffins. Adam still thinks it weird that meat is in the shape of bread and his brothers and parents are also curious about it so one day, i'll invite them over for some and see what they think. It just tastes like a whole lot of hamburger.

On the left, I made some meatloaf "fingers" for Ethan to try- he ate one and then after each bite pushed the meat out with his tongue so I mashed it up and it seemed like he managed to eat quite a bit on his own.

Then the following morning, Ethan was insistent on trying to eat yogurt by himself so ... we let him as we are trying to encourage him eating at the table and eating independently. This is what happened... notice the hair!

You will notice, I am holding the tub of yogurt. The reason is "the picture you didn't see" of him putting his hand into the tub of yogurt and then happily smearing it all over the table like he was finger painting.