Bristol Zoo

My best friend from university had a meeting in the South West this week, and so she took the opportunity to visit Gareth, Rowan and myself.  As we both studied zoology, we decided to visit Bristol Zoo.  So Rowan ended up with a zoology graduate and a doctor of marine science as his guides.  It was perhaps a little extreme for him.
I was surprised that he coped with such a long, busy day.  We arrived at 10:30am, and left at 3pm during which time Rowan took a couple of naps in his pram, but apart from that he was enthralled with the zoo.  He particularly enjoyed the butterflies and the aquarium.  And the ducks.  He pretty much ignored the posturing gorillas to watch the ducks. Oh well.

Since I haven't asked my friend if she minds me adding photos of her here yet, I haven't uploaded any.  But she does exist.  I do have friends, really.

Zoo!

The first of many 'your face here' boards

that will appear over Rowan's childhood  

Rowan was mesmorised by the colours

of the fish, coral and anemones in the

aquarium 

The butterflies fluttered very close to Rowan's

face, which caught his attention! 

Busted!

From what I gather, Rowan is unusual in that he will go down for a nap with relative ease.  Last week I put him in his Gro Bag (I keep calling them 'body bags,' which is possibly not the best name for them) and set him down on his back for an afternoon nap.  I had the baby monitor with me whilst I got on with some housework, and heard the mobile lullabies through it.  Initially I didn't think anything of it, until I remembered I didn't turn it on.  Then I heard some happy little chatterings.  I went to check on Rowan and found him like this:

 

Guilty face

I'm not sure how he turned on the mobile, but I suspect some headbanging was probably involved.  Since he figured out this rolling lark a while ago it's all he wants to do! 

Development

Rowan has no interest in learning how to sit on his own.  That's far too sedentary for him.  He's much rather be busy bouncing...

 

...or working out how to stand on his own.  I fear we may be packing our breakables out of his reach in the next few weeks/months.  

Swimming

We took Rowan for his first swim when he was 4 months old.  He took it all in his stride, and nonchalantly floated about in his inflatable chair like a contemptuous king.  Gareth pushed him around making motor boat noises, which Rowan thoroughly approved of.
Unfortunately, due to Rowan having a tummy bug (another first!) and a few other bits, we hadn't taken him swimming for 2 months.  This time he spent the majority of his time out of his inflatable chair, and enjoyed splashing about whilst being supported by me.  I was surprised when half an hour had passed and he was still happy, but ended the session there as I didn't want to push it.  I still haven't dunked him under the water yet, but I will do soon to help boost his confidence in the water.

Unfortunately, I couldn't take photos of him in the pool, but here are a couple of him getting ready.

Unimpressed thus far

Super cool swim nappy!

Unfortunately this one came out

blurry - babies don't keep still

(who knew?), but I still think it's a 

nice shot.