20 months old

Noooo is the word of the moment, pronounced in a very proper English accent 90% of the time, with the odd "na" if he can't be arsed. This is his answer to most questions, including some occasions when he means yes. He is starting to say "yeh" but usually says "da/ga" with an upward inflection for yes. He also says "hot" and "cow" and has added moos to his repertoire of impressions, together with the electronic beep of the microwave ("aaaaaah" at exactly the right pitch), and also the warning bleep of train doors closing! He's also starting to say Leeeoooo, and "want dat" but apart from nooooo, the most oft-heard word continues to be "buh-bye" - this is said (with a wave) to objects & people as he leaves a room (or they do) , trains or trams passing, book pages being turned, animals or trains on the TV screen, people on the phone.... you get the picture.

Leo is a funky boy-about-town in his new wheels - an orange Phil & Teds E3, with the big-bro-to-be perched up on a toddler seat above the cocoon where his little sister will snuggle/grizzle/sleep hopefully. We got it on Monday and he seems quite at home in it already, will happily climb in all by himself if he wants to give you a subtle hint that he'd like to go out.

Fave toys this month are his toy buggy (thanks Nana) which has been on a couple of outings to the local shops, as well as being razzed up and down the hall at high speeds, his San Francisco tram that Daddy bought back from the USA and gets rolled along the furniture / parents' legs many times a day, and of course his lovely wooden garage that Nana & Grandad bought him for Christmas while they were out here. He's also loved having a Little Tikes Cosy Coupe from the Toy Library for the last couple of weeks and can often be found reversing around the decking, although I think he mostly enjoys getting in and out, sometimes through the door and sometimes Dukes of Hazzard- style through the driver's window.

He is a whizz with cutlery and pretty much feeds himself (although sometimes needs a bit of assistance with slippery things like baked beans just to avoid them going in his lap). This is great as it means I can do things while he's eating, like make our dinner. (I'm going to have SUCH a massive shock to the system in 6 weeks time). Still on 2 naps a day (so I can have one in the afternoon too if I'm feeling particulary huge, pregnant and knackered), although as he quite often sleeps until 8am, he doesn't always get a chance to have his morning nap if we're going out somewhere, but can last until lunchtime if he needs to. He continues to be completely gorgeous, very funny (great sense of humour) and affectionate. As well as us, he now kisses and cuddles his friend Will and holds his hand too. What a cutie.

Seeing who can make the best brrrm-brrrm noises with Grandad


Stop it I like it!

Evelyn Glennie watch out

Getting arty at playgroup

O to 60 in 5 seconds

The new wheels. Small turning circle, one-handed steering, room for a lickle sister underneath.

On the train with Daddy

No reason, just thought I'd park him there...

Look at my big red bus

Spelling N-A-N-A maybe?

Watching the gulls on Phillip Island

Nice spot for a sit down...

... except sitting down isn't as fun as running around - right, where to next?

Me and my yellow ball

"Buh-bye!"