My little talker!

Hello little muffin!

Yikes, it's tough to write to you every day while we are here in Oz. Instead of spending your nap time writing this letter, I spend it out on the verandah drinking tea and chatting with your Nanny. How luxurious for me! I'm not going to write about every single amazing thing that you have done or experienced over the last week... there are too many, and I'm sure that I've forgotten most of them by now anyway (which is largely why I try to write to you so often!). Instead, I'm going to focus on how you have changed since we have been here. 
The biggest change that I have seen is that you have suddenly become a real talker! Instead of behaving like the magpies and only using your vocal cords between 5 and 6pm each day, there is now a constant barrage of babble. I wonder if it is because you are surrounded by conversation all day every day... I remember when your Nanny visited us when you were four months old, your babbling went bananas too! When it is just you and I all day in Horgen, I really focus on speaking to you about everything I am doing, asking you questions, ensuring that all of your 'words' are responded to. But there must be something different about listening to real conversation all day long. You now say a very specific 'Mama!' when you want me. You say 'ung ung ung' when you are hungry. You say 'Dada' and 'Nanny' and 'nini' and a whole host of other things that I am too clueless to decipher yet. But you are really working it! You are a joy to listen to. And when somebody imitates your sounds, you always have a little giggle. You are the sweetest little thing! Your walking hasn't really come on much more than it was a few weeks ago, but people tell me that you crazy babies either work on your talking or your walking. But I know you'll bang out those first steps before we head back to Zurich, for sure. 


You have finally settled here. You are back to your beautiful self - still sensitive and gentle, but also confident and fun-loving. Your Pop barely touched you, let alone held you, for the first week and a half of our visit, stating that you were obviously a very fragile little boy who had so many people throwing themselves at you, and that you would come to him when you were ready and comfortable. And of course, while I was popping up to the shops for some more formula and nappies for you, that happened. I missed it! But since then, you seem less scared of him (though always very coy! You funny little thing!) and he less scared of you. 




You're not remotely scared of your Nanny though! Gosh she loves you SO MUCH! It is the most beautiful thing to watch you both together. The other morning I was having a little sleep in and your Daddy was looking after you, but Nanny came and took over for a while. When I woke up at 8.30am, you were in your Nanny and Pop's bed, fast asleep. Nanny said that she was just cuddling you and you drifted off. AMAZING! Does she have some magic power that I didn't inherit? Haha.  I understand. She makes me feel like that too. She came home from work yesterday while you were gorging on watermelon (you love the stuff!) and you turned, grinned a watermelony grin, and proudly pronounced 'Nanny!', clear as a bell. You make her so happy, my bubbaloo. 

Your Aunty Jessy popped down for a very speedy visit on the weekend, and I'm sure that you remembered her from when she visited us in December. You were comfortable with her so quickly! Perhaps it is because she spent most of her time with you playing races... :) 

My friend Cadi visited us the other day with her two kiddies, Jethro and Jemima, and you played with them so well. I was so proud of you!Afterwards, she wrote the sweetest message: "R is adorable and clever. Such a sweet, thoughtful little boy." Isn't that the truth! 

I love you so much, my boy. So so so so much. 

Love, Mummy. 

P.S. This simply must be the most beautiful photo I have ever seen.