Makena

Makena isn't really saying words yet, but he is sure as heck trying!! I thought I would share some videos of him "trying" to chat with ya'll! He is 6 1/2 months old

Just from our personal experience I would say they definitely need to be bathed... We take Makena into the shower with us all the time. We have a bar up in there that goes from one side of the shower to the other, part of which is directly under the stream. He can get as wet as he wants or if he doesn't want a shower he will just hang out off to the side and take a nap . Time and time again he chooses to go directly under the stream and completely soak himself. He will puff up and flap his wings so the water can penetrate to his skin. He does this about 2 times a week. If greys aren't supposed to have baths then why is he voluntarily bathing himself? I notice when it has been a while since he has had a bath that his feathers tend to get a little ruffled looking. He also eats a lot of sticky foods (like papaya) that he loves to fling and occasionally get all over himself. Baths are critical for getting all that stuff off of him. Like everything else baths are one of those things that's up to each and every owner. Makena loves his baths and we will continue to allow him to take them

Makena is still a baby (7 months old). He loved everyone for about 3 months and then he chose my fiance. Believe me once he chooses someone you will know... He still loves me, just more as a chew toy... LOL!! Yah it is a bummer to not be the "chosen one" but at the same time I still love him to death. I am happy he loves my fiance so much... who knows, maybe some day it will switch

LOL so true!!! I can get away with anything if I say it is because of the bird!!! I think I have almost talked my way into hardwood floors!! Back to topic...

I am with Joe on this one... Mak is out from 8am until 10pm everyday. Although usually around 8ish he goes into his cage on his own. The only time he is locked in his cage is if I have to run some errands. Makena's cage is located in the living room/dining room which also opens up into the kitchen. That is where we spend 90% of our time so there is always a close eye on him

On a side note, I realized today my roasting pan was non stick so I went to Macy's and bought a stainless one. The things I do for that bird... LOL... I do like my new pan though :P :P

I would be there if I wasn't so far away!!! We are doing Thanksgiving at our house but not on Thursday. Andrew has to work, so I think we are doing it this Monday :ohmy:!! We have a bunch of friends coming over so it should be a lot of fun! This is Andrew's first year ever of not doing Thanksgiving with his family and he is really bummed about it. I am cooking everything like his mom does to make it special for him :kiss: :kiss: :kiss:

I have been doing well too!! I have been going to the pool every day and swimming laps for an hour. I also cut out all alcohol (I haven't had a drink in 3 weeks) and started adding lots more fruits and veggies to my diet. I just booked my ticket to go to the mainland for Christmas so I am getting my butt in gear before then! I am not even going near the scale... pounds don't really mean anything to me! What is important is how I feel and how my clothes are fitting!!! And the swimming is wonderful because it is helping with my tan or lack there of... I figure I can't show my face on the mainland without being a little tan. No one will believe I live in Hawaii...LOL!!

Makena likes most green veggies. His ultimate favorite though is Papaya.... The kid is OBSESSED!! On a side note... Our costco just started carrying an organic frozen mixed veggie blend (corn, peas, carrots, green beans). The 5 lb. bags are $6 and they are all chopped up!!!! It is wonderful, all I have to do is wake up and scoop out a bit...and of course cut up a papaya

Martin, I am so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine what you must be going through. I will definitely be keeping garlic away from Makena. You are so right about the internet, separating fact from fiction is a tricky thing. Thank you so much for posting this information as there is a good chance it will save many grey's lives. Again I am so sorry about Monte. My heart goes out to you.

Wow Lovie... What a great post, well done! I agree with all of that!!!

Oh Joe... I am so sorry. I can't imagine how you guys must be feeling right now. Keep looking, there is a chance you will still find him. We are thinking about you guys... If you need to talk we are here. My heart goes out to you both.

Sure they can, it is actually good for them... But just like anything else, moderation is good. I also don't see any problem with the milk... Yum, you are making me want a coconut!! And if you are buying a whole coconut the husk is a great thing for them to chew on! So you get a toy and treat in one.

Great... thanks a lot for giving up our plan to take over the world. I hope your happy.... time for plan B!!!! MMMuuuuuhhhhahhhahahahaha!!!

Yah Dan!! Congrats!! They picked the perfect man for the job!! {Communicate-000200D5}

Awww they are soooo cute!!! You are a pro with your new camera!!! We have lots of geckos in our house, I would love to share them with you!! Sure they eat the bugs and all... but they are little poop monsters!!!

Oh my... Dave you are in rare form today.... well maybe not too rare!!! {Feel-good-0002006E}{Feel-good-0002006E}{Feel-good-0002006E}

OMG Dave... That was quite graphic. Although probably true... I think Makena is slowly trying to get to my inner organs!!

OMG, I got that same bite a couple of weeks ago!! Except it was my thumb... he dug into my finger right at the cuticle and went through the nail!! It was sooooo painful and bleeding everywhere. Little buggahs!! Why can't they at least give us some warning?!?!? I feel your pain :pinch: :pinch: :pinch:

Makena goes back and forth. He used to eat all of his red pellets first, now he eats all the green ones first. Maybe it is just a phase! Dave is right... they are scared of many weird things. Makena is only truly scared of a few things; me with my hair down, the little cord that hangs for the ceiling fan and flashlights. Who knows what is going through their little minds! If I was you I would expose him to lots of red things. Maybe not stick them in his cage, but have them around the cage. And play with them yourself. If he sees you having fun with red stuff he might not find it as threatening. Good luck!<br><br>Post edited by: Makena, at: 2007/11/09 22:04

LOL... so true!! Now Andrew is going to be saying "I told you so" all night!! :silly: :silly: :silly:!!

Darn you and your good ideas!!!! I have it narrowed down to about 50 pictures... This may take a while!! :P

Yah, that is always my problem with dieting... I want it to all come off at once, and I know the science behind it!!!! If you think about it, 3 lbs is a lot of fat to lose!! Plus you feel great, and that is what is really important!! I would measure your results by how your clothes are fitting not by the lbs lost!!

You are doing great Judy!!! Remember muscle weighs more than fat!!! Keep this in mind... In order to lose one pound of fat you need to have a deficit of 3,500 calories. Say your resting metabolic rate is 1,000 calories per day (which is the number of calories your body uses to function if you were laying in bed all day). Say you burn another 1,000 calories throughout the day doing normal things like exercise, cooking, cleaning, walking around, etc. That would make your total caloric expenditure 2,000 calories. If this was the case you would have to eat 1,500 calories per day in order to lose one pound per week. You would have a deficit of 500 calories per day times 7 which would give you 3,500 for the week or 1 pound. 1 pound per week is about the max you want to do for sustained weight loss. Anything more than that and you will be depriving yourself which will cause your body to go into starvation mode. Starvation mode is not good as your body will try to conserve every extra calorie it has... which means you don't lose weight! So basically all weight loss is, is a simple mathematic equation. Burn more calories that you eat!!

You have every right to be pissed! If I was you, I would make a rule and stick with it. If he is going to be staying with you, he needs to respect your wishes. If not he needs to find a new place to live. Your first responsibility is your son... You need to look out for him. I wouldn't let a stranger stay in my house especially if it was going to be a bad example for my child. I say lay down the line!!!! It's your house!!!