What's fun about being a dad?

Waking up in the morning and listening to the happy gurlges and singing from the next room as Jazmin entertains herself. Often there is a sporadic thumping as she kicks the slats of the cot. Clanking noises mean she has found toys and is banging them together.

Going into her room and saying brightly "good morning" then watching as she looks up, registers who it is and breaks into a huge grin. The smile is so big that it is impossible for her mouth to get any wider! Then she kicks her legs rapidly because she is excited to know we are going to have FUN!

Keeping track of her development by the way we interact. When picked up, she can balance herself in my arms and wrap an arm around my neck to keep herself upright. She can roll over both ways and does a funny turtle-like kicking motion when she is excited. She likes to be carried on my hip, facing her body into my shoulder. This way she can look both forward and backwards. Sometimes she swings her head so hard it bangs into mine, but she doesn't seem to mind.

Swimming. Enough said! Jazmin likes to be in the pool and isn't afraid to have Nan do the "learn to swim" motions. Even in the bath she doesn't mind having water on her face. Last night we used baby shampoo for the first time. She was a little startled when we rinsed her hair, giving us a look as if to say "What in blazes do you think you're doing?" but didn't cry at all. Must be the "no tears" formula...

We have a routine of massage after bathtime so she know that it is time for bed. By this time she is lying on her change table, dried off but with the towell still underneath. I introduce the massage by clapping several times in front of her face and rubbing my hands together to warm them up. She kicks a few times in excitement while I get the oil on my hands, but then she lies perfectly still during the massage, only moving her head around and smiling or gurgling. Once her front and feet are done, we roll her over for "tummy time" and gently stroke her back, avoiding the spine. Rolled back onto her back, she knows that the massage is over and it's time for nappy, sleepwear, bottle, story and bed.

With this routine she sleeps from about 9.30pm until 8am regularly, often longer.

Pushing Jazmin through the shops in the pram and having everyone smile back at her and comment on how happy she looks.

Walking on the beach with Jaz in the backpack. She likes the sensations and I like the foot exfoliation. The water is quite warm these days and begging to be surfed...

Food. Jazmin likes healthy food as much as Dad likes unhealthy food. While eating mushed pears and baby rice last night, she was swallowing each mouthful before I could even scrape the next spoonful together. Then her little mouth would pop open and she ducks her hear forward to get the spoon in sooner. Dad was obviously too slow and lazy to feed her such a delicious meal properly!