Nephele is nine months old!

[Lullx]

Well, it's been a while since I've visited here, and we have been quite busy!
Nephele Eupheme is now 9 months old, and she is the light of my life.

We've been harness training, working on words, and working on getting over her natural anxiety.
I do believe we'll be able to get her harness securely on in just a few more days of work,
which is incredibly exciting! I bet she's going to love being outside next year.
She's becoming quite brave and adventurous, is a great eater, and quite the snugglebug (when she wants to be, of course).

Isn't she gorgeous?

Her first phrase was "what are you doing?" and she loves to remix it.
She also says "hi!" when someone walks in the room (or goes over to her cage),
and she has said a few other things ("I love you" twice so far!), but they aren't terribly clear yet.
Of course, she also has an impressive collection of sounds and noises,
which she loves to practice with me while we wash dishes together
(with her supervising from her perch, or sometimes from my shoulder).
Her laugh is my favorite. It genuinely makes me laugh, which causes her to laugh more.

She also gives the best kisses! She's starting to communicate with the other birds in the evenings,
which fills me with so much joy. Everyone is also starting to get along much better!
Genevieve, my sassy green cheek, has realized that I'm capable of loving everyone,
and now allows me to have her and Nilly out together at the same time.

Progress, progress, progress!

She is SUCH a good little listener! Even when she doesn't want to step up or down onto something,
she'll groan but still do what she's asked. We've got potty training down very well
and I'm proud to say I haven't been pooped on in months haha!
I'm focusing on harness and behavioral training, and we'll get to the really fun stuff soon,
once she's comfortable with playing on the floor (also a work in progress).

Every single day, she gives me something new to be proud of.
My brave little cloud, I eagerly look forward to whatever adventures await us.

 

[Dinosrawr]

Oh my, she's so sweet! Look at that cute little grey fluff cloud!

I'm so glad everything is progressing well with Nephele. And it's lovely to hear an update from you. Thanks for the adorable photos!

 

[Allee]

Thanks for the sweet update! Nephele is absolutely gorgeous and all grown up! Beautiful photos. So nice to hear from you and your lovely girl.

 

[rope]

this is nice....she looks great! ours is the same age..just started talking...we're thinking about clipping his wings..he too is a really neat bird..have fun!

 

[Lullx]

Oof, I disappeared again ): Things have been kind of hectic here and it's difficult to find the time to boot up the laptop and log on here.
I had to do my monthly online shopping for the birds today, so here I am!

Thank you for the kind words

Nilly came home with her wings clipped. I'm hoping to let her keep her new flight feathers when they eventually grow back in. We're working on recall in preparation for it, but she's still such a nervous little thing that she won't hop to my hand when prompted; only when she's scared.

Very recently I discovered that she loves it when I dance and sing with her. She joins in with the "singing". She's full of surprises!

 

[JerseyWendy]

I can't believe I missed this entirely. It is SO good to 'see' you and hear updates of your GORGEOUS big girl!! :smile015:

Loved hearing about your update, and loved the pictures even more!!!!

 

[Lullx]

Thank you, Wendy!
She's such a little grey, at only 368g right now, but she's still so much bigger than everyone else. I feel much more confident with her now and I know she feels it.
It's so amazing to earn the trust of such wonderful creatures.

My partner is working to build up a bond with Nilly too. But he's been very busy and hasn't been able to come over often enough ): We try to make the most out of the time he is here with her. She won't let anyone but me pet her unless she's inside her cage, and she will sometimes begrudgingly step up for him. But man oh man does she love sitting up on his shoulder. I limit her shoulder time, but it's her favorite spot to be.
I'm seeing her progress a bit with him, which makes me happy. I'm going to start bringing her over to his new apartment, too! We were waiting for him to get settled in and to make sure it was okay with all of his roommates. Little one is going to get so much attention and so many treats when we go over!

 

[PetoftheDay]

Aww, she's a cutie! You should soooo nominate her for Pet of the Day!

 

[SharlenaSharlena]

She is just stunning !!

 

[plumsmum2005]

"Isn't she gorgeous?"
Isn't she just! Well done.