April 2010
Back in Denmark, April showers don't disuade us from exploring the neighborhood playgrounds, one of which has got a new baby swing.
April 24
Home again after our Easter outing, both boys were delighted to be reunited with their home ground and toys. James was exceptionally excited, and also enjoyed the unpacking process, cuddling up to various clothing items.
The pickup from preschool has gotten much easier since James can eat some of the same snack food as Thomas; a current favourite is dried fruit sticks, which make quite a mess but give them a little energy boost to get through the late afternoon / pre-dinner lull.
During a recent outing to the zoo, Thomas and Marvin were joined in their little wooden wagon by friends Frederik and Maya, and briefly even by James. Having seen everything from sleeping rhinos to suckling piglets, Thomas decided he was ready to try a pony ride - without parental support, thank you very much!
Hanging out with friends: Thomas's playmate Karl came over one Sunday afternoon, together with his dad and baby brother (Jonathan, a few months younger than James). James and Frida (Marvin's little sister) seemed to enjoy each other's company over lunch at a cafe in the Fields shopping centre.
Since James is still on the waiting list for day care and Cindy has to start work, we have found a temporary solution in the shape of Karen, a "private carer" who also happens to be a trained Rudolf Steiner pedagog. Currently she is looking after her own 9-month old (another Thomas!) as well as James, and expecting a third child to join them at the end of May. We think that James will be accepted into the same institution as his big brother around August, but in the meantime we are quite happy with the gentle start that he is getting. So far Cindy and James have spent four mornings together with them, and then this week James has had three partial days without mum being there. All has gone very smoothly and without tears, and he has even learned to wave bye-bye to Cindy when she leaves!
More big steps: James can not only stand up and walk with support, but he has also started taking several unsupported steps at a time. He also loves to play "peek-a-boo" from behind the curtains.
He's currently teething, likely on the 7th and 8th teeth (upper and lower simultaneously), resulting in lots of drool, snot and squeaking. Despite this he's still relatively happy when awake and distracted, but his sleeping is even more disturbed than usual. He does find solace in chewing on a wet facecloth or his precious green toothbrush from Granny.
His absolute favourite thing at the moment, however, is water. He was thrilled with a recent outing to the local swimming pool, which includes a fantastic children's area with warm water bubbling up in small fountains, dripping down in mushroom shaped fountains, and lots of water toys; Thomas and playmate Johanna also had a blast, egging each other on to jump into the water and getting braver in each other's company. Too busy to get any pictures, unfortunately!
Updated 13.06.10