8 days with a new baby

[Johnny]

don't think this will be interesting to anyone but I feel like writing.
I've had my 7 month old powder blue IRN for 8 days now. I named him mouse because he's little, cute and makes squeak sounds. I think he might be starting to recognize his name when I say it. He seems like he's adjusting OK. I think he never had a toy before. This whole 8 days he's had a chewable wood toy in his cage of appropriate size. He had barely gave it any attention until tonight, he discovered he could destroy the wood bits, then happily proceeded to chew off every single part he could.
Today I also attempted to give him his first bath, by me anyway. The breeder told me they loved to be showered. I put warm water in a spray bottle, and tried to gently spray him while he was on his perch. He absolutely hated it, and eventually hopped out of his cage to get away. I felt terrible like I did something to make him hate me, and possibly set me back in taming him. I've got him to take food out of my hand now. As mush as he tries to avoid my hands, he will take food because he loves food.
I'm giving him a no sunflower seed Sleek & Sassy mix, and he loves raisons. I haven't found a vegetable he seems to like yet. I'll give him raw unshelled sunflower seeds as treats. He really likes to eat. I'll keep experimenting with healthy foods, I want him to eat grains, fruit and vegetables.
I'm getting really sad though, because he just doesn't want to be on me, or even perch on me. I've got him to do it, but then if I'm near his cage, he'll always try to get away and back to his cage. And when he is on me, he gets very quiet and motionless, I can tell he doesn't like it. But he does seem to like me near his cage and talking to him. And he will go on little vocalization tangents where he makes a variety of squeaks, growls and little noises that sound like they're possibly vowel and consonant sounds. I kind of expect him to be a talker.
I'm really hoping he will be a happy little bird and bond with me eventually. He's so cute. I keep wishing I could just take him out of his cage and let him crawl around on me. So far, it's not happening.
The flash on my digital camera isn't working, so I wont have pictures until my girlfriend visits next month and brings her good camera.

[CatsChair]

Sounds like you are coming along very well! It is hard to be patient with birds and animals (and people, actually, but that is another discussion) Keep yp the good work. Maybe you can sneak a shot on a sunny day (in Portland, yeah, I know) or we will have to all be patient until next month!

[Bird crazy]

Does sound like your coming along well.
Just a thought, if you do get him out on a perch the move the perch away from the cage so he can't run there for comfort. You'll be the familiar thing then and he may look to you for comfort and security. Do you have a perch on wheels? It's a great way to get them away from the cage, put it close enough so that he can get onto it without your help then move it away from the cage so he can't get back there except with your help.

Might work. But really, he's only been with you a short while, Nila didn't even make a sound for a long time after I brought him home. He'll settle in and his little IRN personality will take over. Give him time and go with your instincts. You'll learn what stresses him too much and just enough to create change.

[Dani03]

sounds like you guys are getting along great! Can't wait to see the pics...

Dani