Today was one of those golden Cape winter days, soft and still with gentle sunlight, after 3 days of tempestuous rain and cold wind. We went to Simonstown for breakfast, and sat overlooking the still blue waters of the harbour, which was bristling with the masts of yachts.
Jack sat in his pram and asked (by pointing and going 'uh, uh') for sips of juice and pieces of toast as we ate. It was granadilla juice, which he's never had before, and after each sip, he'd close one eye a little and screw up his nose a bit, because it must've been quite sour for him. I gave him his bottle, held it for him while he drank and told Joel that most of the kids at Mums & Tots are holding their own bottles. So we decided to teach Jack to hold it himself. He wasn't that keen, but when we clapped each time he held it up himself, he began to enjoy it!
Then we took a walk along the Main Road and browsed around the shops. It seems that having either a child or a dog alongside, is a great ice breaker and I had some good chats with the various shop owners, who'd comment on Jack's curls or his rosy cheeks. We stopped at The Sweetest Thing, my favourite French patisserie in Simonstown, and bought a choc eclair and an apple brioche, (both of which are calling my name now, after a light supper!)
Befoe heading home, we took a walk along the jetty and showed Jack the boats and the birds. He pointed at a boat that was gliding past and said, 'car' so I said, 'No, it's a boat.' 'Car' is his first word and most favourite one at the moment. His next favourite word is 'Ba...' which is very useful because it means ball, moon and bird. So when he saw the seagulls, he pointed excitedly and called out 'ba, ba....!'
When we got home, he'd fallen asleep so I put his warm, heavy sleeping little body into bed and crept downstairs. I took the chance to paint the frame that Joel made for Jack's room and was quite happy with the finished product. It's a burnt red colour, which I sanded down after two coats to make it look worn.
Then when Jack woke up, I put his shoes on, which he knows means he's going outside, so he ran to the door and got very excited. Then we played outside, me throwing the ball for Nala and Jack running after it alongside Nala. He toddled around on the grass, giggling as he went and generally had a wonderful time. His third word, which he's just started saying, is 'fla...' for flower, but he says it out the side of his mouth like a gangster whispering something top secret. We try not to laugh because it is a difficult word to say, but it's very cute!
After that, we went back inside and Jack played with his blocks and his bus, while I chatted on the phone to Caroline. Then it was time for supper and to clean up his toys before bath time. We're teaching him to clean up his toys and put away his books before bath time - it takes quite a bit of patience but it's a start. When he puts a book away, we clap and he claps his little hands and looks pleased with himself.
Tonight I was telling him to put his last block away, while Joel stood nearby. Jack picked it up and threw it a few times, so I got stern and said, 'No, Jack, put it in the box' and he threw it again, so I went to sit down on the couch, preparing for a longish session, but didn't realise his bus was just below me as I sat bang on the puppy bus driver sitting at the top of the bus. I got a fright, went 'ooh' and my face must have looked a picture, because Jack took one look at me, burst out in this deep throaty belly laugh and rolled around on the lounge carpet. It was a lovely momet for all three of us.
Now, as Jack sleeps upstairs, I sit writing this while half-watching a movie with Joel and feel my heart full with thankfulness for such a lovely blessed day.
