Keeping things outrageously cute since November 2009. Authored by Harriet, The Baxter's mother and no. 1 groupie. Based by the sea in Wellington, New Zealand, where the wind blows wild. Want to get in touch? harriet.palmer@gmail.com

August 31st 2011

8 notes |#

You may be asking where we have been. Well, where have we been, little bean? We’ve been pretty busy. Work and creche and family and home-maintenance and mao (cat) spotting.

I’ve also been wondering about the purpose of this blog. I was at it for about a year non-stop and it certainly played a major role in me surviving those first months at home on my own with this strange little baby and what felt like no purpose. Writing, and writing about Baxter, made it seem as delightful in life as it appeared on screen. It was also a good place to get some thoughts down and let people know what it was really like for me. But then I got in to Google analytics (reader numbers) and I began watching Baxter with a view of what would be right for the blog.

And then there’s the whole Tumblr thing. For non-Tumblr people this may not make sense – this online community was originally interesting and stimulating, but most of it now seems a bit strange. So the Baxter stopped being quite so much about simple stories about the common, but scary, journey of bringing up a boy, and about me getting readers and making people laugh and keeping people interested. 

But really, the whole thing is meant to be about letting people, like my dad up there in the picture, and my friends from all over, and of course other parents, know what this is like and what’s happening with Baxter. It’s also meant to be something we can look over and see how much our little boy has grown.

Things like how at 21 months:

He’s talking in two word “sentences” a lot now. For example, ” ‘ello boat” and “mama toast”.

He’s very assertive and if he wants the whole room to jump, he will get the whole room to jump.

He’s left-handed for sure and still loves doing strange little drawings of maos (cats).

He loves feeding birds.

He laughs like a maniac when he farts.

He really likes Thomas the Tank Engine.

He still adores hanging out with Lucas or “Doookas” as he likes to call him, his little buddy from downstairs.

He’s a very wiry, energetic little boy with golden curls and puffy cheeks, and cupid bow lips. I can’t quite believe us ugly mugs created him.

So, I think I’ll keep with the blog thing after all. And I’ve given up on analytics, so it doesn’t matter if anyone reads this. And it doesn’t matter when I write, as long as I write. Right?

Posted at 10:16pm and tagged with: parenting,.

You may be asking where we have been. Well, where have we been, little bean? We’ve been pretty busy. Work and creche and family and home-maintenance and mao (cat) spotting. I’ve also been wondering about the purpose of this blog. I was at it for about a year non-stop and it certainly played a major role in me surviving those first months at home on my own with this strange little baby and what felt like no purpose. Writing, and writing about Baxter, made it seem as delightful in life as it appeared on screen. It was also a good place to get some thoughts down and let people know what it was really like for me. But then I got in to Google analytics (reader numbers) and I began watching Baxter with a view of what would be right for the blog. And then there’s the whole Tumblr thing. For non-Tumblr people this may not make sense – this online community was originally interesting and stimulating, but most of it now seems a bit strange. So the Baxter stopped being quite so much about simple stories about the common, but scary, journey of bringing up a boy, and about me getting readers and making people laugh and keeping people interested.  But really, the whole thing is meant to be about letting people, like my dad up there in the picture, and my friends from all over, and of course other parents, know what this is like and what’s happening with Baxter. It’s also meant to be something we can look over and see how much our little boy has grown. Things like how at 21 months: He’s talking in two word “sentences” a lot now. For example, ” ‘ello boat” and “mama toast”. He’s very assertive and if he wants the whole room to jump, he will get the whole room to jump. He’s left-handed for sure and still loves doing strange little drawings of maos (cats). He loves feeding birds. He laughs like a maniac when he farts. He really likes Thomas the Tank Engine. He still adores hanging out with Lucas or “Doookas” as he likes to call him, his little buddy from downstairs. He’s a very wiry, energetic little boy with golden curls and puffy cheeks, and cupid bow lips. I can’t quite believe us ugly mugs created him. So, I think I’ll keep with the blog thing after all. And I’ve given up on analytics, so it doesn’t matter if anyone reads this. And it doesn’t matter when I write, as long as I write. Right?

July 15th 2011

6 notes |#

A few from lately. This is Malia and Baxter. Not the best quality but it’s a moment! Who says toddlers don’t play?

Tom didn’t write last night. He didn’t feel it - fair enough, when you do it all day sometimes it’s hard to get the flow. I get it.

Baxter swept the entire house with a broom he repeatedly dunked in his full bath tonight. He had no clothes on. He took it seriously. I’m sure he shivered.

Posted at 8:40pm and tagged with: Baxter, parenting,.

A few from lately. This is Malia and Baxter. Not the best quality but it’s a moment! Who says toddlers don’t play? Tom didn’t write last night. He didn’t feel it - fair enough, when you do it all day sometimes it’s hard to get the flow. I get it. Baxter swept the entire house with a broom he repeatedly dunked in his full bath tonight. He had no clothes on. He took it seriously. I’m sure he shivered.

June 7th 2011

Grown up?

12 notes |#

I’ve had some interesting conversations with friends without children over the past few days. There’s a few waiting for the right time to come down this road, a few wondering why we went down the road, and others just asking how we got to this stage of life so darn quickly. 

I’ll admit now my cries of “just do it! It’s so easy,” are a little off the mark, but not by much my friends, not by much.

I suppose starting with a supportive partner and a supportive family makes a big difference, but the main reason I call this Baxter-rearing easy is because all the nappy changing and the food preparing and the bathing and the nights in and the running round supermarkets after a screaming toddler, are motivated by a love so much more powerful than any other incentive I can think of. It’s easy because because putting this much in to something this big and meaningful is a pleasure.

Having a child has made me far less scared about growing old because it means I get to watch Baxter grow up with me. It’s made me care a whole lot less about my image because I know there’s more to life than what strangers think of you. It’s made me love my friends and all their faults because that’s who they are and I’m learning to accept that. It’s made me think about who I am and how I act and what I do a whole lot more.

I don’t regret that we started his life with very little in the way of security. We don’t own a house, we are just starting out in our careers, our money situation isn’t fantastic. In the past I was of the mind that you needed a house and a station wagon and a reasonable income to have a baby. You don’t. You need love and support and to be a person willing to grow and change. Hell, you don’t even need that last bit, I’m sure it just comes.

So yeah, we went down this road because we wound up on it and we couldn’t face the other. And yes, it makes us all seem like we are growing up. We are. And no, it’s not hard, it wasn’t a mistake, and you do not need to own a station wagon.

Still haven’t purchased hard drive. Excuse photo both pic!

Posted at 3:56pm and tagged with: parenting, Baxter,.

May 26th 2011

1 note |#

Obligatory cousins-in-the-bath pic. I’m at my mother’s and found this on her computer. It’s Willa and Baxter from a while ago by the looks of things. How sweet are they? 

So Baxter has now got two massive holes in his head. The second occurred on Tuesday while he was at cheche. Something to do with a bike and a planter box. The kid is really, REALLY in to bikes at the moment. He rides his little plastic motorbike around the house all day. It’s in the car right now because he won’t leave home without it. I convinced him there would be bikes at creche so he didn’t need to take it in. He thought for a moment before deciding to eschew the tears just this once. 

So 18-month-olds are crazy. Well mine is. We went to the zoo with Willa, Vita and Heather on Monday. Baxter thinks he can do everything the girls can do, but he’s not quite there. Running down a concrete-d hill for them and their long legs is a little easier than for him and his wee stubbies. 

Hence the six hours we have spent sitting in emergency departments recently. And the three trips to the GP. He keeps pulling off the little stick-on-stitches they use to hold his wounds together. We got the second glued but he PICKED IT OUT! Doing the full-on stitches would mean a general anesthetic. We decided a few scars never hurt anyone. And with the cracker on his tummy, he’s really no stranger to them. I hope this doesn’t lead to some sort of future in body mutilation.

The doctor told me that some kids are just like this. Baxter has no fear, he’s a dare-devil and he’s very sure of his physical abilities. I see a future of worry for his poor mother. Please think of her next time you pass by an ED. 

Posted at 12:10pm and tagged with: parenting, menace child,.

Obligatory cousins-in-the-bath pic. I’m at my mother’s and found this on her computer. It’s Willa and Baxter from a while ago by the looks of things. How sweet are they?  So Baxter has now got two massive holes in his head. The second occurred on Tuesday while he was at cheche. Something to do with a bike and a planter box. The kid is really, REALLY in to bikes at the moment. He rides his little plastic motorbike around the house all day. It’s in the car right now because he won’t leave home without it. I convinced him there would be bikes at creche so he didn’t need to take it in. He thought for a moment before deciding to eschew the tears just this once.  So 18-month-olds are crazy. Well mine is. We went to the zoo with Willa, Vita and Heather on Monday. Baxter thinks he can do everything the girls can do, but he’s not quite there. Running down a concrete-d hill for them and their long legs is a little easier than for him and his wee stubbies.  Hence the six hours we have spent sitting in emergency departments recently. And the three trips to the GP. He keeps pulling off the little stick-on-stitches they use to hold his wounds together. We got the second glued but he PICKED IT OUT! Doing the full-on stitches would mean a general anesthetic. We decided a few scars never hurt anyone. And with the cracker on his tummy, he’s really no stranger to them. I hope this doesn’t lead to some sort of future in body mutilation. The doctor told me that some kids are just like this. Baxter has no fear, he’s a dare-devil and he’s very sure of his physical abilities. I see a future of worry for his poor mother. Please think of her next time you pass by an ED. 

May 20th 2011

Happy 18th months….doof

5 notes |#

Today Baxter celebrated the big 18 month mark by smashing his head open.
We were at La’ffarae with my mother looking forward to tucking in to some eggs and coffee when BAM!
We ended up at A and E for three hours. He covered both of us with blood and I had to hold him wrapped in a blanket while the only doctor who felt capable of handling a tired, hungry, sore, angry toddler put little bits of tape across the gash.
It was quite the scene. The nurse singing wheels on the bus, me sobbing and Baxter screaming.
I just hope the tape holds. To give him proper stitches they would have had to send him up to hospital to be sedated. We were very, very close but they decided to give the tape a go instead.
Poor wee boy. This will be his THIRD black eye.
I took him to McDonalds for the first time after. I felt like a terrible mother. He was sitting in a singlet on a pretty cold day with a massive bandage over his head drinking a chocolate milk shake.
At least I didn’t give him coke. And he was wearing his Country Road corduroys.
So happy year and a half Baxter. What a day.

Posted at 3:31pm and tagged with: parenting, Baxter, the gash,.

May 16th 2011

Big day

6 notes |#

Took delivery of a parcel of clothes - all size TWO!

Baxter protested his afternoon sleep by throwing his muzzy out of his cot. This was closely followed by his NAPPY! He took it off! The little …

He has also become very proficient at saying no. And he has a very no face to got with it.

Hello, you terrible toddler!

Posted at 2:15pm and tagged with: parenting,.

May 10th 2011

6 notes |#

Baxter has become obsessed with our box set of Woody Allen DVDs. He likes to point at all the little images of Allen and say Daddy. I must say, the kid is on to something, the nose, the hair, the glasses…

I asked him if Diane Keaton as Annie Hall was Mama, he said no.

Posted at 8:13pm and tagged with: parenting, Baxter, Woody Allen,.

Baxter has become obsessed with our box set of Woody Allen DVDs. He likes to point at all the little images of Allen and say Daddy. I must say, the kid is on to something, the nose, the hair, the glasses… I asked him if Diane Keaton as Annie Hall was Mama, he said no.

May 4th 2011

9 notes |#

Yes, this is the most beautiful child you have ever seen. Yes, his mother has been depriving you of him.

We’ve moved, as I said. And I’ve started work. Our computers have also decided to take part in some kind of suicide pact so this is the only picture I’ve managed to pull from the camera in weeks. There’s about 1000 sitting patiently waiting for me to yank them off and chuck them up here all raw and unedited because when the subject looks like this, there’s not much you need to do.

This post is dedicated to Sina and Ritchie, and Amy and James who are all about to experience the madness of child-rearing.

So Baxter is flying toward the infamous 18 month mark. To celebrate he’s working on various tricks, these include tickling us with his claw-like finger nails, collecting his socks and shoes when he feels it’s time to go outside and perfecting a “nonononononononononono” when things aren’t going his way.

We went to Wellington zoo for the first time since he was a baby yesterday and he loved the parrots. He yelled when they cawed. He also liked the gibbons and the rats some zoo staff were carrying around. I was disgusted while he was enthralled.

He’s also enjoying city life. He likes Aro park and walking up Willis St to home. He likes the vege market and the roof of our new buliding and all the police cars that hurtle by.

He likes creche. They have a great car collection.

He likes getting up at 6.30am and screaming MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA. He likes the books Peepo and Where’s Kitty? (a monstrosity with pictures of a hideous looking cat and a child with a dubious name).

He’s pretty in to vegemite toast, aioli on his veges and bacon. He says “wow” and “yummmmm” when I present dinner.

He’s really good at saying “bye bye” in the sweetest voice you’ve ever heard. Tom basically has to to take a step and Baxter has him on his way. He’s really good at staying with people when we go out. Too good actually, it makes me feel like we do it too often.

He’s basically being a gem at the moment. It’s time I wrote my reflections on motherhood down again. I’m really enjoying it at the moment - even if it does come with a hefty dose of guilt and angst. What’s with that?

Posted at 9:37pm and tagged with: Baxter, parenting, the absent mother,.

Yes, this is the most beautiful child you have ever seen. Yes, his mother has been depriving you of him. We’ve moved, as I said. And I’ve started work. Our computers have also decided to take part in some kind of suicide pact so this is the only picture I’ve managed to pull from the camera in weeks. There’s about 1000 sitting patiently waiting for me to yank them off and chuck them up here all raw and unedited because when the subject looks like this, there’s not much you need to do. This post is dedicated to Sina and Ritchie, and Amy and James who are all about to experience the madness of child-rearing. So Baxter is flying toward the infamous 18 month mark. To celebrate he’s working on various tricks, these include tickling us with his claw-like finger nails, collecting his socks and shoes when he feels it’s time to go outside and perfecting a “nonononononononononono” when things aren’t going his way. We went to Wellington zoo for the first time since he was a baby yesterday and he loved the parrots. He yelled when they cawed. He also liked the gibbons and the rats some zoo staff were carrying around. I was disgusted while he was enthralled. He’s also enjoying city life. He likes Aro park and walking up Willis St to home. He likes the vege market and the roof of our new buliding and all the police cars that hurtle by. He likes creche. They have a great car collection. He likes getting up at 6.30am and screaming MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA. He likes the books Peepo and Where’s Kitty? (a monstrosity with pictures of a hideous looking cat and a child with a dubious name). He’s pretty in to vegemite toast, aioli on his veges and bacon. He says “wow” and “yummmmm” when I present dinner. He’s really good at saying “bye bye” in the sweetest voice you’ve ever heard. Tom basically has to to take a step and Baxter has him on his way. He’s really good at staying with people when we go out. Too good actually, it makes me feel like we do it too often. He’s basically being a gem at the moment. It’s time I wrote my reflections on motherhood down again. I’m really enjoying it at the moment - even if it does come with a hefty dose of guilt and angst. What’s with that?

April 14th 2011

5 notes |#

This is probably very dull to people who aren’t the parents of this child. I like it though. See how he makes those strokes! I’m enrolling him in art classes asap! I’m sure he’ll be able to fit them in alongside his music, brain-gym, and literacy workshops (I lie). 

There have been a few people who are convinced Baxter is left-handed like his dad and nine out of the last ten US presidents. I’m not sure, here he is clearly mastering the right.

Anyway, this is us today. I’m sick and working, Baxter’s happy and Dad’s being lovely looking after us.

And news: Baxter loves creche. They are amazed at how well he’s doing. He never comes home in the same clothes and he’s always covered in paint. They say he’s very in to washing his hands. He never looks back when we drop him off. That drop-off - way harder than I imagined.

PS he says he’s drawing me right?

Posted at 4:48pm and tagged with: parenting, Baxter, Picasso,.

[Flash 10 is required to watch video]

April 10th 2011

15 notes |#

We’re leaving Baxter’s first home.

It’s the home we carried him in to after those long weeks in hospital. It’s the home where his Dad spent a lonely, frightening night after his birth. It’s the home we first lived together as a couple then as a family.

It’s a big move. We’ll be sad to leave.

We’re going across town to the outskirts of Aro Valley, we’ll be right in the city, in an apartment. It’s going to be very different to living out here by the beach with that view of Lyall Bay, the airport, the Cook Straight and Pencarrow Heads.

I’m not quite sure what we’re doing, but we got the urge to go somewhere warmer and we wanted to give city living a try.

I think Baxter will like it. He’s a curious being and there’s a lot to look at. We’ll be able to spend more time at the Bucket Fountain (pictured), which is tacky but Wellingtonians obsess over it and Baxter has added the monstrosity to his bizarre list of loves.

Other objects on this list include:

- The weetbix box

- The washing basket

- The large bottle of soy sauce and the one of peanut oil

- The half-brush (brush and pan, dust-pan and hand-broom)

- The box of baking powder, and the powder itself

- The image of the baby on his nappies

- The tiny frying pan

- My deodorant.

He has also developed a new trick where he lies on the ground and says “baby”. Or if we say baby he lies down. This is Baxter being a baby, I think. Pretty weird. He lies quite stiff , very still and a little bent. His eyes zoom around the room making sure everyone can see what he’s up too.

He’s a show-off. I think he will suit strutting down Cuba St.

(Photo by the amazing Yvonne Liew - as usual.)

Posted at 8:33pm and tagged with: parenting, bucket fountain, Baxter,.

We’re leaving Baxter’s first home. It’s the home we carried him in to after those long weeks in hospital. It’s the home where his Dad spent a lonely, frightening night after his birth. It’s the home we first lived together as a couple then as a family. It’s a big move. We’ll be sad to leave. We’re going across town to the outskirts of Aro Valley, we’ll be right in the city, in an apartment. It’s going to be very different to living out here by the beach with that view of Lyall Bay, the airport, the Cook Straight and Pencarrow Heads. I’m not quite sure what we’re doing, but we got the urge to go somewhere warmer and we wanted to give city living a try. I think Baxter will like it. He’s a curious being and there’s a lot to look at. We’ll be able to spend more time at the Bucket Fountain (pictured), which is tacky but Wellingtonians obsess over it and Baxter has added the monstrosity to his bizarre list of loves. Other objects on this list include: - The weetbix box - The washing basket - The large bottle of soy sauce and the one of peanut oil - The half-brush (brush and pan, dust-pan and hand-broom) - The box of baking powder, and the powder itself - The image of the baby on his nappies - The tiny frying pan - My deodorant. He has also developed a new trick where he lies on the ground and says “baby”. Or if we say baby he lies down. This is Baxter being a baby, I think. Pretty weird. He lies quite stiff , very still and a little bent. His eyes zoom around the room making sure everyone can see what he’s up too. He’s a show-off. I think he will suit strutting down Cuba St. (Photo by the amazing Yvonne Liew - as usual.)