Jai is very determined with his walking. He takes his Kay walker up and down the corridor turns it to get through doorways, practicing getting up and down using tables as well. He takes a few short steps without the walker, balancing with his arms like he's on a tightrope. I've been working on his balance at the playground, with swivelling seesaws and unsupported swings. He likes it, despite the occasional half fall.

He's using his hands a lot better now. Pressing buttons more easily and purposefully on some toys, and on his musical unicorn. This may seem like a small thing, but it's a big step in Jai being able to control his environment, and make choices, and means there's a chance he'll be able to communicate via tablet one day... fingers crossed! He's babbling more, but still no understandable words.

Jai's village is growing. We have a new nanny, Jimena, who comes and gives us a break a few hours a week. She smiles a lot and reads and sings to Jai, takes him to the playground or other outings. And the childcare workers greet him with real enthusiasm when he arrives for his half days every Thursday and Friday. They make a big effort to include him in the day to day activities, and he's slowly getting used to them. And of course there's Uma, Noah, Grandad, and the cats.

Despite this, Heather and I have been mostly taking this journey alone. Each of our routines with Jai is pretty tiring, often monotonous, sometimes relentless. Then we need to find energy for Uma too. And a bit more for my Dad. So, we just get through week by week, save some time to relax in front of the box, and start again. Not sure if we can do this forever. Burnout always seems just around the corner. It would be good to be able to meet some friends at the park or the city, but in practice, most of our attention needs to be on Jai, and it seems selfish to impose. We get by with the occasional visitor, and the occasional break.

I have been aware that it is easy to leave Uma out when I am usually mentally and/or physically spent. I have been making it a habit to take Uma to the city every 2-3 weeks at least, or sometimes we all go. She likes the playground near ACMI, and dumplings, and bubble tea. It's nice taking the train and talking and joking with her. On Saturday I took her to the Melbourne International Film Festival Kid's gala. She got her face painted (tiger), we got gala bags with popcorn and stickers, and saw 3 short movies. Uma had the loudest laugh in the cinema! We spent a few hours afterwards wandering the city streets, without any real aim. I enjoyed the bounce of Uma's energy and curiosity and laughter. I came back recharged and ready once more to spend time with Jai.