Happy 1st Birthday Thomas

Today we made a special journey to Sunningdale in Berkshire to see Thomas on his 1st birthday. Thomas was born very early when his mummy, Cass, went into labour in the 27th week of her pregnancy. The first few months of Thomas' life were a very worrying and anxious time for Cass and Chris. They endured many setbacks with his health, but Thomas battled on and I can report that he is now absolutely blossoming!

Thomas with his daddy, Chris

Getting to know Coby

Thomas opens more presents

Father & son prepare to cut the cake!

Capturing Happy Memories

This photo sums up the happy afternoons I've come to relish since Coby's birth. Me and my girls are like sisters now and the babies love each other just as much. Auntie Roxann (over on the footstool) met all the other babies for the first time today and was smitten.

Jaffa Cake Discovery

Mmmmm a soft chocolaty melt in the mouth sensation
followed by a delightful burst of orange zest!

COBY TODDLES!

BIG NEWS! Coby is now officially walking. He's been toying with the idea for just over a week now and each day he's taken more and more steps while continuing to crawl in between. He is holding on for support where possible, but otherwise his preferred method of travel now is to walk. And here is the evidence....

As a regular reader of Teplet, you will know that Coby was really out of sorts a couple of weeks ago. I am happy to say that he has emerged the other side of it as a brand new and rather beautiful butterfly. Hurrah!

Bouncy, Bouncy

Today we spent the afternoon with our friends Rob & Jo. They bought a bouncy castle for Coby's friend, Courtney, for Christmas and low and behold, who should make an appearance? Courtney heard that Coby was in town and headed over to hang out for a couple of hours...

Woe Be Coby

Poor little Coby has been under the weather all week long. We suspect, as does our GP, that he is teething and sure enough we can feel a molar coming through at the back of his gums, but there are all sorts of bugs being picked up and passed around at the moment, so its quite likely he's had both. It all started on Sunday evening when Coby was sick in his cot, we all had a very restless night and Monday was spent cleaning up after him and doing lots of washing. He slept on and off all day and was very lethargic and had a temperature too. His temp disappeared on Tuesday and he perked up enough to visit his friends Jacob and Anya. He has been up and down since, culminating in an early pick up from nursery today because he was not happy. He has been very clingy towards me and extremely subdued. Not much fun at all and we're really missing the happy, smiley Coby. He has still managed to make us chuckle though. While I was topping up with Calpol in the local supermarket on Wednesday, Coby watched as I reached for the box. He took his dummy out and opened his mouth in readiness for a spoonful. I had to hide it in the folds of the pushchair and rush to the checkout before his cries of "I want it mummy" subsided.

Anyway, exhaustion has taken over once more and my washing machine and tumble dryer have booked themselves a holiday somewhere far away from the whites and darks of laundry hell.

It has also been half term this week for Coby's classes which has resulted in many hours spent going slowly insane at home with the Tweenies, Teletubbies, Tweenies, Teletubbies, Tweenies, Teletubbies.....

Coby is slowly starting to peel himself away from the sofa and the forecast is looking a little brighter. As he turns 15 months old today, we're hoping this teething lark is reaching its peak and we'll soon see Coby toddling into the sunset.

Why Walk When I Can Crawl?

So Coby is almost there! He has taken a maximum of eight steps unsupported and completely free standing, but thats his limit. The latest efforts involve encouraging him to walk to me and he seems to understand when we say 'stand up Coby' while supporting this with hand gestures. He then smiles and looks at me as if to say "I can do this mummy - here I go" and sure enough he plods over with his arms outstretched, collapsing in my arms and laughing with so much excitement and pride.

Next comes the confidence. I also suspect, as many people have told me, that boys are lazier than girls - really? Not my boy! He'll be walking all over the place by the end of the week - a post complimented with a photo of evidence will appear on Friday - honest.

Hopefully...

Maybe...

Perhaps...

We'll see...

Coby?

Who's Afraid of the Dentist?

Coby wasn't! I went along for my regular six month check today (cause I'm a good girl I am) and Coby smiled his way around the surgery. He sat patiently on a chair in the corner munching rice cakes while I lay back to be examined. I had to have an x-ray today, so my dentist Joanna and her assistant helped with Coby and our many bags while we headed downstairs to the x-ray machine. When my examination was over, it was Coby's turn. I would love to have taken a photograph, but restraining his arms while Joanna placed her latex gloved fingers in his mouth proved a tough job. After a quick peep, he was certified as having lovely teeth (all 10 of them). I was advised to continue flossing everyday, use mouthwash and an electric toothbrush (take note everyone) and my teeth will be gorgeous. Just like my boy!

Coby's First Bike Ride

In an effort to start some regular exercise, we decided to go for a bicycle ride today. The bright sunshine inspired us to drag the bikes from the garage and into the beautiful daylight (which really showed off the cobwebs). Coby donned his cycle helmet, which he absolutely hated and I strapped him into his special chair on the back of my bike - he cried all the way to the park and back! Better luck next time!

Nasty straps mummy

Should I be able to see mummy?

Help daddy!

And we're off! Bit wobbly mummy and I don't mean your hips

Get those legs moving mummy

Homeward bound - hey there's daddy!

This is the Life

I'm bored with all these DVDs, I think I'll just have forty winks. Hopefully mummy will have tidied them away when I wake up...

Pinch, Punch, First of the Month

For the first day of February, it was particularly mild and gloriously sunny today. I seized the opportunity and took Coby to the local garden centre for a little browse and then to the park for a few turns on his favourite swing. The garden centre has a great little cafe with a terrace and my intention was to take Coby there for a mid morning coffee and a cream bun. Fortunately, and I say fortunately because the last thing I need is a cream bun to add to the hips, the cafe was full to capacity with a nice little queue forming. Instead we wandered around and while I contemplated buying some herbs, Coby was fascinated with the gravel, making circles with his foot...