Gregory Simon Allen
Born Friday 11th April 2014
5 to 7 months old
His life: Birth ♠ Week 1 ♠ Weeks 2-3 ♠ Weeks 4-7 ♠ Weeks 8-13 ♠ Weeks 14-22 ♠ 5-7 months ♠ 7-8 months ♠ 1st Christmas ♠ 8-10 months ♠ 10-12 months ♠ 1st birthday party ♠ 12-15 months ♠ 15-18 months ♠ 18-21 months ♠ 21-24 months ♠ 2nd birthday ♠ 2-2½ years ♠ 2½-3 years ♠ 3rd birthday ♠ 3-3¼ years ♠ 3¼-3½ years ♠ 3½-3¾ years ♠ 3¾-4 years ♠ 4th birthday
In summary: Index ♠ From birth to four years old ♠ Four years old onwards
Special features: Gregory translator ♠ Gregory phrases ♠ Gregory cookery
Sometimes he just looks at you in that way that means you have to reach for the camera. This is one of those times.
It's certainly something, a couple of days earlier, Uncle Matt was tempted to do when he popped over for a mega breakfast sandwich (not pictured). Gregory is, of course, not aware how much this equipment cost so has a grab, whilst Daisy busies herself with her pad.
From mid-September, he started to get a bit more confident in the Jumparoo, regularly bouncing around without complete control.
On one Saturday in September, Lynne went to the nearby Tea Rooms with Suze & Nic, while Rick and the twins came to ours. This is a shot of the mild chaos that ensued. Daisy is behind Rick - they are playing the beehive game (a bit like Kerplunk!, childhood game fans). Gregory is busying himself with the jungle mat (y'know, as usual).
Gregory is getting well used to the Tummy Tub (or "bucket bath" as I keep calling it). He can sit in it unsupported, although an eye needs to be kept on him since he has a tendency to lean forward and try to drink the water. Another feature is his "robo arm" (as described by Lynne and, in particular, Daisy. He gets very excited and, with a stiff arm, repeatedly splashes in the water, hilariously getting water in his face (but continuing) and less hilariously drenching the entire bathroom floor.
The next day, this was probably the first time which Gregory joined us at the table in his high chair. He's looking at me as if to say: "I get a Yorkshire pudding with gravy, right?". The plethora of toys on his tray suggests not.
But now it's his turn. His first go at semi-solids (or weaning, which is one of those odd words because it refers to weaning them *off* milk, rather than being a positive reference to what they are moving on to). It was some form of puréed fruit. He was a bit reticent and didn't have too much, but nor did it disagree with him.
However, despite that, he is ravenous for a plastic giraffe the next morning. Aren't we all?
Here is an indication of how he can really sit up of his own volition now. We have resorted to full securing the seat belt through the three-way strap thing. He's very keen to grab things. In fact, we have moved the plastic kitchen away from that area of the lounge because twice he pulled it over.
Now, I think some young scamp (perhaps named Daisy) has been dressing Gregory up in a pink hair band.
A day off simply because I need to use up holidays before the end of the month (and the holiday year) and it's my turn to feed Gregory. He absolutely loves the baby rice, it turns out, for which he is repeatedly looking for more. Lynne would like to apologise for the wearing of the pink bib. That's so old-fashioned. Also, it was the only one that I could find.
"Ahoy there!" is perhaps all that needs to be said.
On my return from a weekend trip to Oktoberfest in Munich, I was called into parental duties, picking up Daisy from school and taking Gregory with me. As Daisy played in the park on the way back, Gregory and I sat in the sunshine.
Into October now, where we find Gregory being made to giggle by Daisy (who is sat to my left).
The next day, with Lynne at a spa day, I headed over to Boothstown for some child-minding support. Aunty Katie, though, looks thoroughly cheesed off to be holding her beloved nephew. (I don't think that's a fair reflection of her emotions, for the record.)
A little later, Katie was doing deals. "I'll take him off your hands for £50."
All that wheeling and dealing has clearly tired him out. Aunty Katie can take credit for this having walked him around the park a few times.
Back at the ranch, Nana Sue treads the fine line before making her grandson laugh and having her wig torn off. (Again, for the record, my understanding is that it is all her own hair.)
Here is a close-up of the little cherub on the same day. He has a part-combover, part-spiky haircut look going on.
And you're up to date.
Which is to say that you were, back in early October, when Gregory was a shade under six months old. That's what time does - it goes on. And on. And indefinitely on.
We've now in the era where Gregory doesn't lie down as much - he's much keener to spend his time sat up. The jungle mat is a now an accessory of the past. He's happy to sit in his inflatable donut, chewing on his musical remote control (one of Daisy's old toys, which is something that is true a lot).
One place he does like to lie down, as he is not quite strong enough to sit unaided yet, is on Daisy's bed. Daisy, meanwhile, loves to lie down next to him and mimic the leg kicking for which Gregory is renowned. In our circles anyway.
"Mon dieu, did I leave the oven on?" (I strongly suspect Daisy's been at play here.)
"Hic! I think I may have put too much sherry in that trifle."
Instead of the more frenetic kicking, they sometimes just like to gaze into each other's eyes, grinning at each other.
As Gregory increasingly gets into his semi-solids, Daisy is keen to join in with the feeding.
Gregory tests out his new hooded coat with in-built radio commentary. Note that his hood has ears.
He's six and a half months in this shot, and spending more time in the high chair, thus having some toys to play with. He seems desperate to tell me about the stack of cups on his table...
...but can barely contain his excitement when moving his hand towards them.
Now that is good technique. Swing your hand through, keeping your eyes close in case of any loose cups flying through the area.
Kicking back and relaxing with the musical remote control.
Later that day, we headed over to Eddie and Helen's new house in Didsbury for a joint housewarming and double-birthday party. There doesn't seem to be too much happening based on the facial expressions in this shot.
One of those times when he gets more dressed up when you undress him, due to his smart vest.
Gregory is getting increasingly into his jumparoo. His leg strength has always been good so it's an excellent opportunity for him to go a little crazy.
Greeting Gregory on his return from a walk with Lynne (I presume), Daisy keeps him company having pushed him around the back garden for a little while.
He's starting to get a little big for the tummy tub / bucket bath, but still happy to be in there playing with a couple of plastic rings.
A shock of blond hair, keen eyes and ruddy cheeks, not to mention an eagerness to grab my phone. All classic Gregory traits.
Ah yes, here we go. I mentioned only recently that Gregory was growing too big for the tummy tub, and so it proves as he graduates to the third in the classic child series of baths: the duck bath. He looks moderately happy to be there.
Approaching seven months old and an avid reader of the "That's not my [insert creature or person here]" book series.
A moody shot of Gregory sat on Daisy's bed, munching on a marmite rice cake, as the late autumn sun streams in through the window.
"Dammit, Nana Sue, I need to these important documents finished on my new laptop. Please stop messing with it!"
Later that day, Gregory demonstrates that he no longer needs the inflatable ring to support himself. That's not to say that we don't surround him with cushions as his balance is not perfect and he does have a tendency to throw himself back as he gets tired or frustrated.
Snuggling with his big sister (and mummy, not pictured).
The next day, Jordan and Katie came round, with Jordan donating his, um, flat cap to Daisy. I had not long since got back from cycling to Matt's and back (Heaton Chapel to Dobcross, on my mountain bike). Gregory showed his usual knack of gunning straight for my phone.
And we'll sign off this mini-era of Gregory's life with another shot from bedtime in Daisy's room. Now that he can sit up, he enjoys sitting on Daisy's bed while she's get ready.
We go onwards.
Back to the Secret Portal.