Wingy

I hear you on the over and over and over part. Jake about drove me crazy with the meow he learned from the cat. I have started redirecting him with music. Whistle While You Work and the Silly Song from Disney's Snow White have so many sounds going on that Jake focuses on singing along instead of the annoying meow. Heck I bet Star Wars would be a fun movie to put in with all of them.

No good deed goes unpunished lol.

You all are teaching Jake bad things. Tonight he unscrewed the lock on his cage door and yesterday he learned how to unscrew quick links. I do believe this is my reward for getting him a puzzle toy.

Tonight I had a white peach and let Jake take a taste. I wish I had a camera to video tape that. He loved it but what he does with it is so hysterical I darn near popped trying not to laugh. He won't bite it, because it is soft and wet so instead he licked it. I sat there holding the peach and he ran his tongue from one side to the other flicking it madly. At one point he had is tongue out so far that it was past the tip of his beak. It was great watching him enjoy something so much.

I did a google search and it appears that many people do. I am in no position to say if they should or should not only that people do.

Yeah Gilbert. It took a lot of courage to go exploring. I bet you were holding your breath and were afraid to move when you saw that he was indeed going to try and get that nut.

Funny I bought a small pumpkin today too and was wondering if I had to cook it or could just chop the top off and let him explore the different textures.

Gilbert may not be able to fly but he does speak to you through his body language and actions. Just remember to give what you are doing a name so that he can begin to associate it with the action. I didn't realize you had a wheelie stand. Wheel him over, turn on a movie, get under your fleece and then ask would you like to come? He knows he'll get scratches but he also knows its ok just to hang out. I do want to take this time to let you know that you are an inspiration to me. Jake may not be a rehome with issues but as a baby I struggle through learning about him as he learns about himself. Through your writings about Gilbert you have taught me how to watch for the most subtle of clues and how the smallest of actions can lead to large victories.

Consider sitting down with your fleece alone and let Gilbert see you and then call to him asking if he would like to come over. This way he knows what to expect, where he is going and has the option to decline (saving you both from a bad experience if he just isn't in the mood).

You are so right Dan. Jake thinks he is getting something super special if I bring him a cup full of water with an ice cube.

The past few days I have really watched Jake and how moves. When he is just cruising around his play table or his play top he has a routine. He always follows certain routes which take him around hazards. For instance he'll go left off of the ladder, under it and around to the left of it to stand on the bar on the edge. He could go right, take 2 steps and be at the same location but he does not. His steps are measured, calculated and he is very very quiet. There have been a few times where I was rearranging toys where he has come around and I didn't know it until he jumped on my head. OTOH when he is playing hard and in full attack mode or there is something that he really wants all that goes out the window. Then he is like a bull in a china shop. I had a lot of fun observing his movements the past few days. Thanks for bringing this up.

To me it sounds like wanna blow kiss.

Jake going for a swim aka a parrot in a Pyrex. http://s128.photobucket.com/albums/p161/LvDemWings/My%20Baby/?action=view&current=MVI_0383.mp4

Thank you Dan. That article has given me a lot to think about.

I use it whole. If I cook oatmeal on the stove I place 1/2 teaspoon of whole flax seed in the water at the beginning. If I cook oatmeal in the microwave I add it to the water and oats and cook on high for 2 minutes or as directed on the package. I add it to Red River Cereal the same way as the oatmeal. If I add hemp seed, again about 1/2 teaspoon I add that at the beginning as well but if I add hemp hearts I just sprinkle a pinch or 2 on the top after cooking. If Jake is willing to share my breakfast with me he usually eats between 1/2 and 1 teaspoon full of cereal.

I looked for mustard greens but none of the stores here carry them. He seems to go for things that have a peppery bite raw cauliflower. The only other thing I can think of that fits this would be arugula.

Thanks Jayd. I've taken it from him and thrown the bunch away. I think we need an updated safe vegie list in the food room.

You are right to be concerned. When I birdie sat my DS's quaker Isabelle it was difficult. Jake and Isabelle couldn't be out at the same time because she wouldn't leave him alone. I felt that there just wasn't enough me to go around especially since I had to take her into my bedroom for out of cage time.

The swiss chard is a hit. Jake is going to town on it. I'm not sure if he likes the stem or the leaf more. Its not the bite and throw either. In other news Jake has learned the annoying half meow the cat makes and it is his new favorite sound to make. He is doing it over and over and over. It makes me wonder what went on here today while I was at work.

He is a joy and I love every minute we can spend together. I have never had a feather baby either so this is all new to me. I had 2 quakers (around 1 and 2 years old) and a 12 year old amazon and figured the experience would be similar but a baby is totally different. It is fascinating watching him learn.

I don't know if its the storm we are having or what but Jake has just been full of new things this morning. He has been battling toys in ways he never has before. He was laying on his back battling his hanging treat ball, climbing through his hanging hoops, exploring his new swing and attacking his duck from above instead of below. I had to stifle a laugh as he did a crouch walk under all his hanging toys and beat the snot out of anything that dare touch the back of his head. I am so glad we ended up staying home this weekend. We were suppose to go away but work kicked my butt yesterday and I just hurt to badly to drive.

Flexible water lines are great for hiding electrical cords. They won't stop a determined critter but will buy you a few extra seconds. The added benefit is the water lines prevent vacuum cleaner nicks in electric cords.

A big milestone this morning. Jake figured out how to climb down from the top of his cage to the door. There is a large gap between the playtop rail and the side bars so I attached a rope perch to the cage top and ran it down the side giving him a place to really grab on to. He's looked at it and maybe taken a step or 2 for weeks but this morning he went over the side. Now he just needs to figure out how to "round the corner" so he can get back into his palace. I've watched him look longingly through the bars of his playtop wanting toys that are in his cage but knew that he needed to figure out how to make that happen. I picked up 2 of these puzzle toys at Pet Smart on clearance for $5.00 each. I figured they would sit for a while and eventually he might be interested in it. Nope he had it figured out and empty when I got home from work. Now I'll be looking at where to hang it for physical and mental challenges.

Proving us wrong must be an inherited trait. I just get finished saying Jake won't eat nuts and what is he eating? The little bugger cracked and is devouring a pistachio.

How about making your own nutriberries and avicakes? I bet you could stick some green things in there. Jake is also a picky eater but he wants his seeds and pellets. He is a stinker when it comes to anything else. He won't eat it if its to hard, soft, sticky, sweet, sour, wet, cold or hot. He won't touch fruit (fresh or dried), bread, nuts or most vegies. Right now he is chowing down on a piece of baked sweet potato. They are made by Simply Nourish and were in the dog treats section of Pet Smart. They are plain baked sweet potato chips with no seasoning or preservatives. I'm sure they are no where near as healthy as steamed sweet potato but of course it falls into the wet category so he won't touch it.