Christmas 2009

Well its been a busy Christmas. It was really cold in Dublin before we went on our holidays. I had a great time going on the Santa train in Dundrum. Also Santa came to the crèche but myself and all the wobblers agreed that he was a bit scary and really didn’t want to sit on his lap, which was fine because we didn’t have to.

We went on a lovely sunny holiday over Christmas. It must have been very far away because it took us 3 eight our trips to get to our destination. And after the flights we still had to drive for nearly 2 hours. Anyway, it was well worth it because I got to spend time with my Nan and Pa and my Australian relations. It really was very hot there, even first thing in the morning, so we did spend quite a lot of time playing inside but I loved going outside and playing with the ball there. I did get a chance to get out for some walks.

My cousins Joel and Liam came up to visit along with A. Renae, U. Lee and Great A Dorothy. We had a barbeque and lots of fun and we had great time swimming in the pool. We had a lovely time on Christmas Day. We went to the beach for a walk in the morning and then I even had some ham and turkey after my mid-day nap. On Boxing Day we went to Bribie Island and had another great day, with even more food this time. There were 2 doggies there and I really liked them as long as they didn’t come too near me.

After Christmas we met up with more people. Cousin Dan (who is having a baby in 6 months), Great A. Gill and Great U. Wayne came up for a bbq and to visit me. While I do like bbqs, the only problem is that people want me to sit in my high chair and eat, but I much prefer to run around and throw the ball and have people chasing after me. I get the feeling that those activities aren’t always the perfect ingredients for a relaxing adult bbq.

The Binghams called around another day for a bbq – now it was fun to have 2 other children to cause some mayhem. But why do you think it is that all children want to play with the same toy at the same time, even when there are plenty to choose from? Anyway, it was great to see them all again and we also managed to have breakfast with them one morning on Hastings St.

I was very sad to leave Australia and to say good bye to everyone there. I was even sadder to spend 40 hours travelling home. Just when I thought we were home, we had a diversion to Shannon (Co Clare) because Dublin airport was closed. It was my first time in Co Clare and it seems quite nice. We then had a 3 hour coach trip back to Dublin. Boy were we happy to get into our beds on Saturday night!

Zurich, Halloween and other news…

So October has been very busy. We had a long weekend where I had an extra day off crèche and we went to visit Margo, Simon and Rory in Zurich. I had so much fun. And believe it or not the fun started in the airport. It wasn’t very busy so I was able to run around everywhere. I think Mum and Dad were both exhausted by the time we got on the flight because they had been running around after me so much. I heard Mum telling Dad that she’s going to buy a harness for me so she doesn’t have to bend down and hold my hand all the time. Dad isn’t a big fan cause he thinks harnesses are for dogs but Mum doesn’t seem to care. Anyway I had great fun hanging out with Rory Grace. We didn’t so much play with each other as around each other. Ryan was very patient having 2 little girls messing up all his toys. So of course we did the usual of spending most of the weekend in Zurich eating but we also managed to go into Zurich on Saturday afternoon and then to a pumpkin farm on Sunday afternoon.

We had a great party in crèche for Halloween. We all dressed up and then had a party in the afternoon (and I got some chocolate for the first time). I reckon I my lion outfit was the best one (probably the warmest too!) Lots of houses in our estate had great decorations. I think next year, we’ll have to decorate our house. I’m hoping that next year I can go ‘trick or treating’ with Raji and Baj next door!

Mum wasn’t in great form for a while but thankfully she’s better now. She spent a lot of time during August and September sleeping but she seems more normal. I’ve noticed that she’s started to put on a bit of weight – her tummy is getting a bit fat. I’m not really sure what’s going on except for the fact that I’ve been told that from mid-April I won’t have Mum and Dad’s undivided attention and that I’m going to have to share them with a little baby. To be honest I’m not too keen on that but they haven’t asked for my opinion, so what I can do! I’m just going to make sure that between now and then I get my full share of attention while I still can.

Happy Birthday to Me

Well I’ve been very busy, as usual. Nanna and Pa have been visiting from Australia. We’ve had a great time. Unfortunately they were both sick during the trip but in between their sickness we had great fun. While they were here I got my first pair of shoes. I did take most of the pairs of shoes off the shelf and try to eat them all but eventually I settled on these ones (they tasted the best).

We also went to Wexford – we didn’t stay with Mammó this time because it was a full house but we stayed in a lovely hotel instead. I don’t think Mum and Dad will be rushing back to a hotel with me in the same room. I just love when I wake up in the middle of the night and see them in the room with me. Surely they understand that even if it is 5am, as far as I’m concerned its playtime.

Other highlight was my birthday. We had a great day. We went to the zoo in the morning – Nanna and Pa, Lisa, Ella, Riodhna, Jill, Mum and Dad. It was a pity that it rained a bit but we still enjoyed it and had a break in the café when it was too wet to be outside. Then in the afternoon we had a party. All the family (except Mammó who was in Italy on holidays) and Emma, Sophie and Christopher came over. We opened all my great presents and had cake (well I didn’t have cake but everyone else did).

I love being 1. I’m now in the wobbler room in the crèche. I was sorry to leave Tana, Sarah and Claire in the baby room, but I still see them sometimes. Anyway Jenny and Andrea are great at looking after me too. I don’t get into a high chair for my food anymore. Instead we all sit down at the table and eat. And I have snacks that I feed myself. Also we all have our nap at the same time and sleep on little camp beds in the room instead of going into cots in a special room. All my old friends from the baby room are now in the wobbler room too so we have great fun. I hug them all quite a lot, which is fairly easy cause lots of the boys can’t walk yet so they can’t escape from me when I go to hug them.

Busy Walking

Again, its been a while since I blogged. I think its mainly because mum hasn’t been taking very many photos recently and also she’s been a bit out of sorts, but she seems to be in better form the last few days so hopefully her good form is here to stay. As usual I’ve been pretty busy. I’m now the oldest baby in the crèche baby room so I’m showing all the other boys and girls what to do. A lot of my friends (Daniel, Dylan, Daragh, Jamie, Rebecca and Can) have all moved to the wobbler room, but I still get to see them for a while in the mornings and I’ll probably be moving into the wobbler room in a few weeks time (after my first birthday). For the first time there are more girls than boys in the baby room so that’s a nice change.

There are 2 pieces of big news – the first one is that Nanna and Pa have come to visit. Its great to have them around, because there is nothing that I like more than getting lots of attention and I’m sure you can imagine how good it is to have a 1:4 child:adult ratio in our house. They haven’t been here that much but they are due back from their tour around Germany, Austria and some other places on Tuesday so they’ll be around for a couple of weeks then.

The other big news is that I’m walking. I’m pretty sturdy on my feet. I do lots of independent walking in the crèche but at home I tend to hold on to things more (like the sofa) but that’s just because in our house there’s always something nearby to hold on to. We went to the Clark’s shop in Dundrum today and I got my first pair of proper shoes. I love them. They are the same as my friend Rebecca’s so we obviously have the same great taste!

There have been lots of parties recently – all the Dunphys went to Ross's for a lovely lunch for Mammó's birthday (Brenda's a great cook), the crèche was 1 year old so we had a party and Rebecca was also 1 year old and I went to a party in her house. Its my birthday in 2 weeks and I hear whisperings that we might go to the zoo. Also we’re off to Wexford next weekend – we’re staying in a hotel. I haven’t stayed in a hotel in ages (since we were in Australia) so I’m looking forward to that.

Will post again after my birthday with all the news and some photos.

Teeth and Handbags

As usual I’ve been pretty busy since I last blogged. The main story has to be my new teeth. I think Mum and Dad were convinced that I’d never get any teeth and 2 weeks ago I got 6 in the space of 10 days. I had a pretty miserable week or so because I had suspected chicken pox (doctor wasn’t able to confirm), I got my first 6 teeth (2 on the bottom & 4 on the top) and I had a really bad cold & cough so I was a bit out of sorts, which included waking up every night for a feed. Anyway you’ll be glad to know that I’m feeling much better now.

We went to Wexford to stay with Mammó for the long weekend at the begining of August. We had great fun – the house was very busy as Jill, Mark, the cats, Ross and Brenda all came to stay too. Of course this meant that I got lots of attention which I love (and Mum and Dad got a bit of a break). We went to visit the Doyles. I met baby Roisín who is only 3 weeks old. She is so tiny, so I had to be very gentle with her, although seeing as she has 2 older brothers I don’t think she’ll ever get too much peace and quiet.

My new ‘thing’ at the moment is a handbag. I just love carrying one around, especially when I’m walking around. I even had mum’s shopping bag around my neck today. I generally like to sling my bag over my arm. I think Dad is a little bit worried about having 2 handbag fans in the house and to be honest I don’t blame him (especially as I’m sure Mum is due a new one soon). I’m walking so much at the moment. My party trick is to stop and take my hands off my walker for a couple of seconds just to prove that I can balance on my own. It’s funny because up until the weekend when no-one was looking I was able to sneak up the first couple of steps on the stairs now there’s this awful gate that means I can’t do that anymore.

Summer weather has been just ok. The last week or so has been nicer than July which was the wettest in years (I'm told). Whenever its dry we do tend to get out for a nice walk in the park but I'm not great at keeping my sun-hat on. Its been pretty humid though which should help prepare me for the humidity in Brisbane at Christmas! I had a lovely time on Saturday with Ella & Ríodhna. We stayed over in their house on Saturday so they could mind me when Mum & Dad went out. There's lots for me to look forward to at the moment - we're all going to Ross's next weekend for dinner. All the Dunphys invite themselves once a year to his house and this year its just in time for Mammó's birthday. We're expecting a great feed this year. Then a couple of weeks later my Nanna and Pa are arriving. I can't wait to spend some time with them especially as I now have so many tricks to show them. Roll on September!

Summer Clothes

Well its all about clothes at the moment. Mum went shopping to get some clothes for herself to go back to work and I got some lovely new clothes too. I got some lovely yellow leggings that I can wear with my Noosa t-shirt that I got from Nana and Pa.

Since my last update I’ve started crèche full-time and I’m doing really well. All the people are very nice. Generally Dad drops me off and Mum picks me up. Mum’s pretty relieved that I’m not pulling the hair of any of the other children (I’m reserving that for mum). Instead I tend to kiss all my friends in the baby room. After a few initial teething problems I’m now eating all my lunch and snacks and also having a morning and afternoon nap. However I’m not too keen on taking my bottle from the girls in the crèche. Tana is lucky if I take 2 half bottles from her and often I only take 1 half bottle. I’m just keeping everyone on their toes – I’m used to having my bottle in my nice quiet bedroom at home and there really is too much going on in the crèche for me to waste time taking my bottle. On the plus side the girls always tell mum that I’ve been in great form when she comes to collect me.

It’s been lovely and sunny here for the last few weeks so I’ve got to wear all my nice summer clothes. Aunty Jill has been very busy making me a lovely new yellow sundress with matching bloomers. It’s definitely my favourite dress because it has a little teddy in the front pocket. I think you’ll agree that I look pretty good wearing it.
Mum went away to be pampered last weekend for a night with her friends. Jill came over to mind me for a couple of hours on Saturday morning until Dad came home from golf so Mum was able to leave. I had great fun playing with Jill and having my lunch with her. Dad and I had great fun so mum reckons that means she can go away on her own again!

Busy Busy

Well its been a busy couple of weeks since we came home from holidays. I’ve been in great form as my ear hasn’t been hurting me and I’ve been enjoying hanging out with Mum and Dad. My cousin (first-cousin once removed) Matt came to visit from London. He was a great visitor who played with me lots and in return I gave him some of my great scrunch-up-my-nose smiles.

Also I got my first pair of shoes. I’m crawling lots, especially on my mat which isn't as slippy as the wooden floor and pulling myself up quite a lot and then slipping on the wooden floors so the shoes should give me a bit of grip. Let’s face it, they’re no Louboutins but a girl has to start somewhere. Also as you can see they don’t match all my outfits – I look a bit like ‘Ugly Betty’ (for those of you not familiar with Ugly Betty she wears highly patterned mismatching clothes) but there’s a recession so its one pair of shoes at a time for me (it’s a pity Mum doesn’t subscribe to that philosophy but I'm begining to understand that there's a different set of rules for adults and children). Mum thinks I might be teething cause I’m smacking my lips. However Mum thinks that I’ve been teething since Christmas and I still don't have any teeth so considering I'm 8 and a half months she’s bound to get the teething prediction right sooner or later.

This week is a big one for me as I’m starting in the crèche and mum goes back to work next week. Both Mum and I are pretty relaxed about it so fingers crossed it will all be fine. I was there for 2 hours today and was fine most of the time. I got a little upset at one point but that's just because it got very noisy and I'm not used to noise. But the lovely girls, Sarah and Tana, who will be looking after me took care of me and I was fine. There are 6 boys (Daragh, Dylan, Daniel, Charlie, John & I can't remember the other boys name) and Rebecca (my friend from up the road) in my room so no wonder it was a bit noisy. Anyway I'm a great hair-puller so I've no doubt that I'll be able to fit in and stand up for myself once I get settled.