Luke's growing up (3 months old)

J - In the past week Luke’s made the transition from his cradle to his cot. It had to happen as he was getting too big for the cradle and we’d often find him with his arms outstretched and hanging out of the cradle! That’s not the only change. As Luke continues to discover things using first his hands and then his mouth he’s learned to grab hold of his feet. It will only be a matter of time before his (big) feet are in his mouth. Much to my horror he’s starting drooling. I worried at first that it might be a sign of teeth coming through but no… I’m told he could drool for months before that happens.

Luke and I have developed some regular activities. We start the day with a walk around the corner to buy the newspaper. Luke enjoys being in the Baby Bjorn (pouch) and regularly gets chatted up. Late afternoon we do a couple of laps of Caulfield Park in pram. It’s a good opportunity for Luke to get some air before he settles down for his big night sleep and I of course welcome the exercise.

I’ve been speaking to PwC about my return to work in July. The time is flying by and there are a few things to sort out. Luke has been going into the office with me and everyone is suitably impressed. The whole Child Care issue is as dire as the regular articles and editorials in the newspaper. It sure isn’t making things easy. Luke is on 8 waiting lists (since 12 months ago) and is unlikely to have the days we need by July. Luckily we have a great network of families in our street and a likely longer term solution is to nanny share.

G – Picking up on Joceline’s comment above, I find it extraordinary that a couple choosing to continue to work after a baby is older than 6 months is penalised to such an extent in Australia. The system strongly discourages both parents working, which goes against the Government’s policy regarding reducing unemployment….

Luke has been enjoying my guitar playing of late (I have been teaching myself the last few weeks). He is now much more responsive and receptive to external and interpersonal stimuli, and offers plenty of smiles.