Afterthought
It was Louisette’s birthday today, so if you look carefully you can see TJ in the background.
Actually, I got a lovely picture of him but another kid (with parents who don’t want photos online) was in frame, and too hard to crop out – bit of a scissors job, when the inevitable scrap-book occurs.
Balloon, and Caterpillar
Today is the 20th, so we took the monthly picture of TJ in tux, on mat, with caterpillar.
Also, he likes balloons 🙂
Cruising the Activity Wall
TJ is in the very early stages of “cruising” (that is, walking while holding on) and the newly-secured Activity Wall is brilliant for him, as well as being a source of entertainment.
Louisette Interview, Age Three
Crappy Pictures has a set of interview questions for kids that I used last year. Time to go again. . .
I asked these questions gradually, over the course of more than a month – she still tended to find inspiration from around her, and to start getting restless after a few questions.
If I felt an answer was too arbitrary, I asked her again later.
(All of these pictures were taken on her birthday – we went to the zoo.)
What is the meaning of life?
AÂ Christmas tree
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Eat cake.
What is your favourite animal?
A panda! [Certainly true at this point in time – we now own four pandas and a red panda tail – not counting clothing with pandas on.]
What brings you the most happiness?
Love.
What makes you feel loved?
You love me [she was on my lap and gave me a hug].
What are you afraid of?
AÂ big scary bear. [She often tells us she can’t brush her teeth/wash her hands because there’s a bear – but this guy didn’t bother her at all.]
If you had one wish, what would you wish for?
I want that one! [giraffe mobile; I brought it down for her to hold.]
What is the funniest word?
That! [Pointing at a bauble.]
What is hard for you to do?
This [She gives me the giraffe mobile to untangle.]
What is the easiest thing to do?
This! [Buries her head in the armchair and lifts up her legs.]
What is the best thing in the world?
Jemima! [That is, her Playschool Jemima doll.]
What is the worst thing in the world? (What makes you feel sad?)
Robots.
What is the meaning of love?
Um. . . coz like our one.
[So. . . what IS love?]
Look! I see a green tree!
If you had all the money in the world, what would you do with it?
These pajamas! [She was wearing a new set.]
Whatever Works
TJ is getting better, but he still needs a lot of “sleep maintenance” – ie staying in my arms, and waking up when placed in his cot. But I settled him into this cushion in my lap, then moved him successfully onto the floor where I could see when he stirred but still do some stuff.
From “Meh” to “Yeah!”
TJ needed to be held all night, but he was definitely perking up this morning (as the doctor predicted). Nonetheless, this was his reaction to the National Zoo and Aquarium today (we had a babysitter standing by at home, and after two hours my Mum dropped him off): 
Later, however, he saw what Dad had done with one of the balloons now infesting our home (Louisette likes balloons; today is her 3rd birthday). That was cool. (An interesting contrast to Louisette, who often objects to things not behaving as they should, and asked us to remove the balloon.) 
Felicity Banks 