Dad Adds

As Edward marches into his second year he's starting to walk more confidently and frequently. Only two weeks ago he took his first faltering steps. Now he'll stand and walk (not very far or fast) several times during the day, if that's the best way to get to where he wants to be. He still uses various items to aid him if they happen to be in the right place, but he has balance and coordination, and will build his stamina.  

He is of a naturally cheerful demeanour, energetic and inquisitive. He investigates anything we don't keep shut or locked.  The dishwasher and fridge are magnets when open, and he delves into drawers and cupboards if they are not secured with baby locks. He's been practising getting in and out of the two doors that lead onto our back patio: one step down each but tricky to negotiate. One day he went in and out ten or twelve times just to practise.

He's also brave. He frequently strikes out for the horizon on a solo venture at the park and I have to fetch him back. In one park picture recently uploaded to the slideshow you can just see him midframe about 30 yards away and still going. He eventually stopped where some men were trimming the hazelnut trees before I caught up with him.

In another picture you can see him on a wooden indoor slide. He managed to tumble shortly after and cut the inside of his lip, but after a couple of hugs he was back at the slide trying to figure out what went wrong. He gets bumps and bruises a lot, but he is tough enough to fight the cat and win.

So physically we have no worries. Verbally we want to hear at least five words by 18 months, but I suspect he'll have a sudden blossoming and have at least twenty. Mummy, Daddy, Cat, Ball and Done are our planned top five, with Boat and Book coming close behind. He'll probably surprise us with something quite unexpected.

A couple of Birthday Pictures below, one of James with his parents,

and one of Edward.

Edward's was actually taken this morning, after Erin left some presents and a message on our doorstep overnight. Ed's look suggests he's seeing rabid zombie clowns instead of presents, but that is due to yesterday's jabs and their after effects.

Here's a few more of our hungry hungry hippo.