11 Months Yesterday

It's going to sound trite, but it's hard to believe we're the parents of a nearly one year old.

Here are the stats - weighed on the produce scale again
29lbs and 31"
13.3kg and 78/79cm

Needless to say he's still a big kid.

5/31 I finally checked this against our last measurements which were the 'offical' ones back at 9 months. He's roughly the same height (it's really hard for us to measure him) and he's only gained a lb. So pretty much he's the same size. I think crawling is good for him :) Might keep us in the same size clothes for a little while.

Pattycake pattycake make me a bridge as fast as you can

For some reason EVERY time we walk over a bridge FFM does pattycake. He doesn't do it often any other time, but like clockwork every time we walk over the Victoria Bridge he's off. Almost makes me want to walk the bridge just so he'll do pattycake. It's a decent size bridge for those of you not in Brisbane and can get crowded during rush hour (it's one of the main pedestrian/bus/car routes in and out of city center). Strange but true FFM-ism.

He Just Smiled and Gave Me A Vegemite Sandwich

From the great book Food Lover's Companion: Vegemite

[VEJ-uh-mite]The brand name of a Kraft Foods yeast extract product, which is wildly popular in Australia. Vegemite was the brainchild of a young Australian named Fred Walker that was created in 1922 by his company's chief scientist, Dr. Cyril Callister. This thick, dark brown, intensely salty paste is flavored with a variety of ingredients including celery and onions. It's used as a bread spread and is a favorite on breakfast toast. Australians are weaned on it but, for all but the initiated, it's definitely an acquired taste. Vegemite can be found in some specialty gourmet stores and is available through mail order.


FFM had his first Vegemite sandwich for lunch today. Chopped into little bite size pieces of course. It's a classic childhood meal for Aussie kids, it's on every kids menu, like grilled cheese or chicken nuggets in the USA. Both T and I have tried it, too. I had an Aussie friend back in my ski bum days who tried to convert me but I'll admit I'm not ready to give up my Extra Crunchy Jif just yet. FFM, however, gobbled it up (although with it's high salt content it's probably not going to be a regular on our menu).

And just 'cause you've got that song in your head now :)

Giggly Elmo

Big day! Elmo's been in town and we dropped in for a visit. A big Australian department store is running a 3 week long promotion called "3 Weeks in New York" and has filled their shops with American stuff. This includes goodies like American food and visits from Sesame Street stars like Elmo. It's only at the city center store in each city, so lucky us we're just across the river and can pop over anytime to see what's going on.

Friday FFM and I went over to see Elmo. Now, FFM has ONE Elmo toy that he only got because it literally fell into his lap one day when we were shopping. It cracked us both up so much that I decided he had to come home with us. It's now one of FFM's favorite toys, he lights up whenever the Giggly Elmo comes out.

Giggle Elmo works by shaking him. He's got some sort of sensor in him and when his mouth flops open he giggles, talks, sings, it's SO funny. Especially since it catches like a DJ scratching a record for as long as you shake it. El-el-el-el-mo's SO giggly! Now FFM tries to shake any Elmo that he comes across, to see if he can make it talk and is always a bit puzzled at the ones that don't.

So I with this in mind I wondered how he would react to a life size fuzzy red guy. Turns out just fine. He LOVED it. This kid positively vibrated with joy and excitement. He was so excited he forgot to kick and flap at first...and then got into the groove and kicked and flapped like mad. Which made Elmo all excited, too :) I can't even begin to describe the noises FFM was making, but I guess it was sort of a low pitched oooooohhhh and aahhhhhhh.

Travis had to see it for himself, so we went back again today. Just a quick visit this time, since it's Saturday the crowd was much bigger. Yesterday we pretty much had Elmo to ourselves, just one other family. Zoe was there, too, she's another Sesame Street character, but FFM really wasn't interested in her at all. She came over to say hello and FFM kept lunging for Elmo. Kid's got a single track mind at the moment.On a totally separate note the Brisbane auditions for Australian Idol are today and tomorrow literally across the street from us. There are scruffy guys and scantily clad young ladies humming and singing all over the place. We only get to hear them practicing, they are staging them in the amphitheater across the street but the actual tryouts must be in a room inside the amphitheater somewhere, we didn't get to see any of the judges or anything. Lots of milling about but none of the hoopla you would expect. Ho hum, oh well.

GIVE ME THE CAMERA

First let me explain why there haven't been as many pictures of FFM as I'd like.

What you see below is a bizarre obsession with the camera. The camera comes out and no matter what's going on FFM drops everything and makes a beeline for it. When mean mommy won't hand it over to chew/slobber on he gets frustrated. Thus the capture of many many faces of utter frustration.

Other than the camera he's been quite funny lately. He sticks his tongue out all the time and is not shy about grabbing other people's tongues. The squealing has tapered off (knock on wood) and has been replaced with cool babble that seems to sort of go with stuff/objects. Current most popular word - mama. I love it :)