Playtime...

Isn't my ladybird hat I made at Noahs club cool?

Riding my truck

Do chickens ride bikes?

Mummy and I playing with my hats and masks

I like to ride...

My rocking ox

Jonathan's new friend

Jonathan likes his play-gym

Two Little Boys Went to Market

Stories with mummy

Jonathan and I

Daddy and I encouraging Jonathan with tummy-time

Jonathan

Jonathan chatting to Daddy

Doesn't Jonathan lift his head up high?

Jonathan in his swing-seat

Hello,

Today we were up and out of the house very early - mummy and daddy had decided we should do a family outing to the big market in town (Ben Thanh). I rode in my backpack on daddy's back and Jonathan was in the front pack I have given him (I don't need it any more as I am a big boy), on mummy's tummy. Mummy and daddy had a list of things they 'ideally' wanted to buy, but as we have realised, shopping in HCMC is sometimes a bit hit and miss. The market was crazy, lots of stalls selling... everything... in no particular order and with only narrow walkways. For some reason the things mummy and daddy wanted were always in the narrowest ones. The amazing thing was we found everything we came for (small plastic glasses for me, a belt for daddy, shorts for me and sewing elastic)! Jonathan and I were very popular and got lots of attention from the stall holders. After the market we went to a cafe for morning tea to celebrate our success before heading home to play.

Life here in HCMC is getting busier. Now that I am at school three mornings each week (and loving it) mummy and Jonathan have had to find new people to play with. I couldn't go to school on monday as there was flooding outside our building so I went on Tuesday instead. This proved quite good as mummy and Jonathan were able to go to a ladies bible study where mummy met lots of nice ladies. On wednesdays they meet up with other mummy's and babies. This week Jonathan found himself a girl-friend to hold hands with. Mummy is going to try to remember the camera next week so we can all see. On thursday we had a day chilling at home and friday mummy and Jonathan caught up with friends whilst I was at school. This week we are having a playdate with our half-swedish friends on monday and going to our friend Elliots 2nd birthday party on tuesday afternoon, so with school it will be another busy week.

The great news of the week is that I had my first icecream - it was two kids at school's last day so we all had a special treat. Also, Jonathan slept through from 9.45 to 5.30 which mummy and daddy were very excited by... ...not sure why...

Little brothers...

Checking out Jonathans bed

Playing 'boats' with Jonathan

I love my little brother!

Isn't Jonathan cute when he smiles...

... and laughs

I have decided its quite fun to have a little brother, even though he takes up some of mummy's time and spends an awful lot of time asleep. He eats almost as much as me as well and is growing rapidly so I have to work hard to grow too so I don't become the little brother!!

I take being an older brother seriously and so at nursery, when mummy is feeding Jonathan I stand guard so the other children don't get too close. I also make sure they know he's MY brother not theirs - they can look but not touch!

When we were in NZ I did my best to make sure Jonathan felt at home. I pulled my 'boat' up close to his capsule so we could have a chat and I could explain to him how the world works (see photos). I also climbed up into his bed to check it out and make sure that it was as comfortable as mine. I had to be quick though as mummy doesn't always like me climbing, but I had my route all planned (daddy says planning is very important for planning/ tramping expeditions)... floor to chair... to armrest of chair... to bassinet. It worked perfectly and before mummy noticed anything (she was feeding Jonathan) I was up! (see photo).

Back Home

Little chefs at Noah's Club...

I'm off travelling...

Hmmm...what shal I write today...

... hard at work writing my blog

Isn't Jonathan holding his head up well

Chillin' out on the beanbag with a good book

Hello again,

We have now been back in Ho Chi Minh for a couple of weeks. i'm really enjoying being home with my toys (particularly the ones I can ride round the apartment on) and books and also being somewhere hot so we can go swimming. I love swimming and can now float by myself (in my floaties) - though mummy and/or daddy are never far away. I have also started nursery - Noah's Club. Mummy says I can go three mornings a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday. For the first two weeks mummy (and Jonathan) came too - though Jonathan slept most of the time! Yesterday, mummy left me there on my own as I am such a big boy now.

We have outdoor play in the morning. The other day we all got into our togs (swimsuits for any non-kiwis) and helped to wash all the plastic toys - it was great fun and the soap suds got everywhere, so we were all showered off with the hose before getting dressed again. On wednesdays we get to cook (mummy says its more assembling) our morning tea. My favourite so far was making caterpillar cake. Our theme for the month is insects so we are doing lots of insect-themed activities. You don't have to worry though - we weren't eating caterpillars, but made one using slices of banana for the body and a small fruit muffin for the head. Yummy. Then we sing songs and dance before our craft time, and then its lunchtime. As you can tell, my mornings are pretty busy now. In the craft sessions we are making insect-related things so I am slowly decorating my room with bugs - caterpillars, a snail and ladybirds so far!

Last week we took Jonathan for his regular checkup and I can report that at 7 weeks he was 58cm long, weighed 5kg and is all fit and healthy. He had to have one of his jabs as well and I was quite impressed as he didn't cry much at all. I think he is going to be a brave boy like me!

Last weekend was mummy's birthday so we took her to Hanoi. We had a lovely time catching up with a few friends and doing a bit of shopping and also went to the Swedish Embassy to get mummy a new passport. They were all very nice there but it took ages! Luckily I had trunki to play with...

Hey ya,

It was a big day for Jonathan last Sunday as it was his dedication. Basically Mummy and Daddy thanked God for Jonathan safely arriving and promised that they would tell Jonathan more about God as he grows up. I think that Jonathan sleeps too much at the moment to listen so hopefully Mummy and Daddy remember to tell him when he's awake. Uncle Peter then blessed Jonathan, which I must say was very nice of him. I missed the event, as I had a big tooth coming through so wasn't feeling too well. Daddy has taken some photos though for me to share with you all.

Jonathan continues to do very well and I am a little concerned that he might overtake me if I'm not careful. After 4 weeks he has almost put on 1kg and now weighs 4.22kg. He's also grown 4cm longer so he's extending on all sides.

While it has been exciting having my baby brother around, I was even more excited to hear that Grandma and Poppa were coming to town. I've been having a lot of fun playing with them and have especially enjoyed having stories read to me by them.

It's now only a week until we all head back to Vietnam. I've very much enjoyed coming back to NZ and being able to catch up with all my friends and play outside without being told off for running on the grass. However, it will be nice to get back to HCMC so I can continue my swimming lessons - it's been a bit chilly back here to even think about going for a swim.

Hope you are all well and enjoy the photos.
Love Oliver (and Mummy, Daddy & Jonathan)

Jonathan at his dedication with Uncle Peter and his godparents - Euan and Amy...

J with Grandma and Poppa Liddell (& Mummy and Daddy obviously)...

Jonathan being blessed by Uncle Peter...

Jonathan showing impressive head control...

It's easy to go to sleep when you're being snuggled by Mummy...

Daddy's turn...

Jonathan being weighed by Lee (our midwife)...

Enjoying reading sessions with Poppa...

Enjoying playing with Aimee Hopkins (who we're staying with in NZ)...

Playtime

Hi,

In digging back through the photo archives, I found a few photos of playtime in HCMC before I came back to NZ. I had so much fun looking at these photos so I'd thought I'd better share them with you all.

Love Oliver

The journey commences...

Obstacle 1 overcome...

Made it to the slide!...

Ready, steady...

I'm off!... (look mummy, no hands)

I don't think things were supposed to turn out like this...

Exiting my fort that daddy made for me...

On lookout duties...

Swings are much more sedate...

Introducing my little bro - Jonathan James Tomas Liddell

Hi,

For those of you who haven't heard, my baby brother has made an appearance. Mummy and Daddy were a bit surprised as it was still a week to go until they thought he was going to arrive. I was concerned that the stork had brought the wrong baby but Mummy assured me that he was the right one - apparently Mummys would know this sort of thing.

For the record, Jonathan James Tomas Liddell was born at 4:54pm on 21 July 2010 weighing in at 3.26kg. I've heard that it was quite a quick birth and Daddy didn't even have time to park the car properly at the hospital before Jonathan arrived.

Mummy and Jonathan are both doing well. We are having competitions at the moment to see who can eat the most. For breakfast today, I had 1 & 1/2 weetbix + 1/2 a banana before polishing off 2 pieces of toast. Meanwhile Jonathan fed for 1 & 1/2 hours last night with only a kick nappy change in between. I'll leave it up to you to decide who won!

Below are some early photos of Jonathan.

Hope you enjoy them
Love Oliver

Mummy with 2 of her 3 boys...

Initial weigh-in...

Jonathan's first bath with Daddy...

An early visit by Jonathan's Godparents - Euan and Amy Williams (along with my friend Liam)

Proud parents...

Mummy introducing me to Jonathan...

All strapped in and ready for his first car trip...

With Mummy soon after arrival...