Running with my walker

Reuben has recently discovered how to walk/run with his walker. He loves to get up and zoom all around the house. He has also stood freestyle a couple of times as well.

My little baby is becoming a toddler....sniff

The temptation of Christmas

Recently we put up our Christmas tree and I have to say it looks pretty impressive. This year we have a real tree and from past experience I know that they are very unstable.

To counteract this problem, we have put Reuben's playpen around the tree to deter any potential disasters. This has worked well until yesterday, when Reuben discovered how to extend his arms Inspector Gadget style in order to reach through and grab ribbons off presents and to pluck baubles of the lower branches. He has also learnt how to climb up the playpen in order to gain some extra height.

This morning, I found him sitting in the playpen next to the tree, chewing on a bow off someone's present. Please excuse the battered and drooled upon condition of your gifts this year- they have been well loved by Reuben.

I had to be sneaky taking this video of Reuben because lately as soon as he knows I'm either taking a photo or video, he charges over and tries to eat the camera.

Return of the Jolly Jumper

I decided to put Reuben into the Jolly Jumper again the other day as he seems to be over the potential for being sick when jumping about. He looks a lot taller and is definitely noisier this time around!

Helping Daddy

The other day it was my birthday, so as it was nice weather I decided to have a tropical theme. This was mainly due to inspiration from an outfit I bought for Reuben on Ebay (which didn't arrive in time). Anywho, luckily he had another turkey shirt he could wear. Reuben was a big help that morning, holding rope for the tarp and generally giving Dad a hand. The next day he had even more fun when he was outside exploring- trying out various bugs and tasting dirt.

Too bad he is so shy with everyone else at the moment. I think he spent most of the actual event crying (apart from swimming). Hope he gets over it soon.

As high as I can go

Reuben has just discovered how to stand up with the aid of things around him. This includes people, toys and his cot. It's time to lower the base of his cot as the next step will be to climb over the edge! He also likes to be as high as he can be, therefore he loves being carried on shoulders. This is a photo of Reuben and Mike at the show- he had more fun looking at ceilings than at the animals.

Fun with sand

Today I took Reuben to the beach. This was partly to distract him for a while, as he has been very grumpy due to his first tooth as well as feeling a bit poorly. It was also lovely weather and I was keen for him to help me make sandcastles. Reuben enjoyed scraping up the sand and rolling around in it, however he also loves to eat it! Each sandcastle just meant easier access to handfuls of sand. Sand mixed with dribble and runny nose is disgusting. Not that Reuben cared. He also had a great time waiting for the waves to run over his toes. As well as shouting out to the passing puppies and chewing on my toes, he had a great time.

Kransky Fun

Today, we went to Kaitpo Forrest to eat Kranskys and beer (and to walk in the forest). With the weather threatening to bucket at any moment, we rugged up and headed out with firewood in tow. Mike's home brew popped like cheap champagne, which meant I had to scull half of mine to avoid losing the precious ale. Tristian's brew was better behaved, allowing us to sip at our leisure. With three different types of kranskys (plain, chilli and cheese), plus left-over dips from Pete and Shelley's bash, we had a veritable feast!

Reuben decided that he loves hoummus and Lebanese bread and sat in his pusher with bits hanging out of his mouth. However once he got sight of a cheese kransky, we had to fight him off!

After all of that feasting, we thought we'd better go for a walk. The forest is very similar to The Pines near Lincoln (before trashing) so it was a pleasant amble through the trees. Reuben slept in his rucksack as soon as we went a few metres. All of that high carb food and fresh air tuckered
him out.

Widdle wed wagon

Today Reuben attended his cousin Aiden's 2nd birthday party. It involved an amazing amount of presents and lots of sugar laden food. Reuben was slightly overwhelmed. However, he did get to go for a ride in Aiden's little red wagon. Everything went well until he fell out at the last minute. The tears dried up as soon as he got to see his photo on my phone!

Strongman

The other day I bought Reuben some leggings to keep him warm during winter. I should have realised that being Bonds, they would be on the small size. He now wears them underneath other clothes as thermals to avoid possible embarrassment. With his blue singlet and muscle boy attitude, Reuben looks like the Strongman at the circus! He seemed to get the gag though. Funny old sausage.

A Big Boy goes shopping

Reuben has always been a great shopper and even loves to go grocery shopping. Usually we find a trolley with a baby seat in it, putting up with the grotty straps (which Reuben inevitably chews) and enduring a bumpy ride back to the car in which his poor cheeks wobble unmercifully.

On Tuesday we went to the shop only to find that all baby trolleys had been snaffled, so we decided to try the Big Boy Seat. This was met with elation by Reuben who was able to sit up and show off to all the old ladies in the store. He kept up his Big Boy attitude for most of the shop, however loud yawns were heard echoing down the coffee isle as the novelty started to wear off.

My little man is growing up so fast.

Holiday fun in Mt. Gambier

This long weekend we spent in sunny Mt. Gambier. Fortunately we were in a cabin, however we needed the heater on constantly to keep defrosted.

There are many fun things to do in The Mount such as "doing a mainy" and checking out the shopping action. We ended up buying warm clothes from Rivers and eating sausage rolls.

The highlight for the weekend was taking a tour through Engelbrecht Cave. A young lady from the South East led us through the cave, pointing out the graffiti on the walls and the genuine rubbish which was left behind. She also showed us the mould which was growing on the rocks but explained how they had slowed the rate of growth by lowering the "waddidge" of the lights. This however, increased the likelihood of falling down the stairs due to lack of light. There was also a dead scuba diver strung up from the roof meant to encourage us to learn how to cave dive.

We also drove down to Pt. MacDonnell and Nelson to check out the water. Reuben had a great time exploring the beach and going on the play equipment with Mike. He was wearing his Superman outfit, so was ready to try anything!

All in all, it was an interesting trip and a very very long drive home (especially as we decided to go via the coast).

Reuben goes a wine tasting

On Saturday we decided to go to McLaren Vale to do some wine tasting- Fox Creek in particular. We set off around midday and had lunch at a cafe where Reuben had his cheeks pinched by old ladies. Anywho, we arrived at Fox Creek and started sampling. Reuben charmed the woman working there with lots of grins and fake coughs. Mike enthusiastically joined the wine club and so we now are the proud owners of 2 dozen mixed red Fox Creek wines.

After the tasting we decided to have a picnic out the back of the winery. Mike got some cheeses, dips and more wine, so we kicked back and enjoyed. Reuben decided to join in and tried various food. He likes quince paste, but not pumpkin dip (which is odd because it's similar to his food). However, the winner were olives in balsamic vinegar! Reuben sucked on those like Starvin' Marvin. It was a victory for Mike (who loves olives) and a betrayal for me (who hates them).

Travellin' in the car

Reuben generally likes the car, but after a while he starts to lose the plot. I think this is mainly due to facing the back seat and not being able to see the action out the front window. He half heartedly plays with Letuce and Ziggy until he either falls asleep or we arrive at our destination. Yesterday he was very tired after his Gymbaroo antics, so he fell asleep. His snoring was amazing, so I thought I'd capture it on my phone. How can such a little boy make so much noise?

Daddy makes beer

As winter sets in, there is no better time to make some beer. With Uncle Jon over for tea the previous friday, we had a few drinks and got inspired. Dark ale and stout were the order of the day, so the beer was created. This weekend the bottling process began.

The kitchen turned into a hive of activity, with Reuben learning the tricks of the trade passed down from father to son. The first batch was bottled and started to get carried out to the shed when disaster struck- the bottom fell out of the washing basket which was used to transport the precious cargo.

At least two litres of stout went onto the carpet, turning the golden hue of rental carpet a lovely shade of rich foamy brown. The next few hours were spent cleaning up the floor, trying to eliminate that pub aroma we all adore.

Reuben watched the drama with little interest, preferring to roll in the lounge and play with his toys.

What we can learn from this exercise is "strickly ironing only"

Flirting with girls

Well, Reuben's shyness seems to have worn off pretty quickly. At Ashleigh's pre-Formal do, Reuben was more than happy to pose for a few photos and smile for the ladies!

Tummy Time

Well, the order of the day is tummy time. Poor old Reuben has to endure four sessions a day to get those chicken arms pumped up! Fortunately Mr. Cow provides good distraction, so TT is becoming less of an ordeal and more of a discovery time.

Shy boy

The last two days have seen Reuben become shy with anyone but those he sees on a daily basis.
Lots of grins still occur, but they are from a safe distance (and whilst being held by mum). However, Graeme (friend to small animals and children) was able to hold him without any dramas whatsoever!

Three cheers for Farex!

This week we have started to give Reuben some Farex. He loves the concept of using a spoon and has a great time eating it. Inevitably, most seems to end up on his face, but then he gets to have a great time rubbing it all around his face with his hands (and on us too).

Jolly Jumping

Yesterday, I put Reuben in the Jolly Jumper. HE LOVED IT! Apart from the massive drool factor, which seems to increase proportionally with each bounce, it was a huge success. As usual, Reuben overdid it and started to bellow after about 15 mins and had to be thrown straight into bed. Another positive of the JJ, was that Reuben slept all through the night!- Nothing like a bit of exercise to tire out a growing boy.

Strong man

Lateley Reuben has started to sit up a lot. He loves to stand as well, as his legs are really strong. He likes to stretch his arms out at his side and make funny muscle boy faces whilst kicking his legs as if to say "Look at me mum, I'm so strong!".

When Ashleigh was at the computer, it was just too temping to try him sitting on her shoulders!

Fish

Every morning after Reuben wakes up and gives a hoy, I turn on the light and call out hello. He is always grinning- but not at me. Reuben loves his fish stickers which are on the wall all around his bed.