Christmas already!

29/12/11
Ok I did try to get this up before Christmas but the videos were taking far too long and I was far too tired to wait for them. But here it is! I'm busy trying to get photos of her enjoying all her Christmas pressies so the next entry should be up very soon unless the bump decides to come earlier than expected.

I can't believe Christmas is only 2 sleeps away. I thought I was all prepared but keep thinking of things that haven't been done yet. On top of that I'm busy packing and re-packing my hospital bag and looking for all the baby stuff. Only 4 weeks to go! Argh!

Lydibug is pure delight. I'm loving being home with her again. She is so entertaining and such a chatterbox. I love hearing her on the monitor in the morning singing or counting to herself, though she has forgotten the art of lying in. She is loving our half done garden. It has been cleared and new turf laid, she has a great time running around the trees and has a ball when the sprinkler is on. For Christmas she is getting a swing set so I'm looking forward to spending long lazy afternoons in the garden with Lydi on the swings and the baby asleep. Sounds bliss....

She has had her photo with Father Christmas and although there were no tears, there were no smiles either except when there were presents to be had. We've been to a few Christmas get togethers. One at day care where there was a huge bouncy castle, another with all my old school (now mums) colleagues and our mother's group met at Lollipop Land where Daddy encouraged Lydibug right to the top of the jungle gym. She was having a great time till a bigger child rushed by and then she just cried till her Daddy climbed up to rescue her. So pleased he was there, I'm not sure how far I would have got.

Lydi is still loving her music. Every time we flick through the music channels she says 'nooooo' or 'rubbish' until we find a song she likes. Her latest fav is Paradise by Coldplay but Lady Gaga and LAMFO are still up there. I'm not sure where she is getting the dance moves but it sure is entertaining.

Her repertoire now includes more nursery rhymes and she loves the baby karaoke app on our iphones. She is also into drawing. We currently have a huge board on the coffee table that she adds to each day and she is so kind to me about my drawing attempts.

We have just taken the side off her cot as I really want her settled in her own bed before the new bub needs the cot. All has been going well until tonight, I was just skyping two lovely ladies back home when we heard a couple of bangs, then crying. I found her trying to get the door open  from the wrong side. It doesn't help that she has a double ear infection at the moment, poor little lamb. She has had a drippy nose for a few days but last night she was holding both her ears crying 'owweee!' It was a long night for everyone but the antibiotics are doing their job so hopefully all will be well for Christmas. A few new teeth are about to poke through so I think this is the cause of it all.

A few weeks ago we had some gorgeous visitors from NZ come and stay. They have a little boy about Lydi's age so we got a good insight into what this place will be like with two little monkeys running about, I am thinking we need a bigger house. But Lydi loved having a playmate about. They had a great time at South Bank, GOMA and Aus zoo. The grown-ups had a great time too, though we didn't get to enjoy our usual night out enjoying cocktails. May be next time.

In the water before the togs were on

She loved all the animals

The double buggy got a workout.

Lydi has come out with some classic lines lately. I think I will have to start writing them down before they are lost in time. The other day she was twirling about like a loon and I asked her if she had gone loco, she replied 'si'. The other day Daddy got some new basketball jerseys and she calls them Daddy's dresses. Lydi is attempting to tell the time. I asked her Dad what the time was and she looked at her wrist and announced it was six. Now every time we ask her she checks her wrist and says 'it's six' or 'about six'. But my favourite recent line was when I offered her Daddy a hand with some work and she came running in, hands in the air shouting 'I've got hands, I've got hands'. She cracks us up but has also perfected throwing a tantrum. It's the full on hands and head down to the floor, bottom in the air and screaming. She gets so worked up I don't think she even knows what started it, but I find the best way is to just find something to do and she normally comes to join me. After a quick cuddle all is forgotten, I'm hoping this keeps working.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Love Lucy and Lydibug xx

Dancing up date

Just had to share this clip of Lydibug dancing this morning. She is desperately trying to jump but just can't get both feet off the ground.

This week her ear infection returned, but thankfully this time she kept playing with her ear so we knew what it was. The antibiotics are doing their job and she seems back to her young self.

Lydi has enjoyed playing at the big park and going down the slide on her own. After a visit to the chiropractor she has been busy checking our alignment. She sits on our laps, holds our faces in her hands and turns our heads from side to side, then she lifts up each arm just like the chiro. So far we have all passed and not been charged.

Back to work on Monday but only 9 weeks till the summer hols and then we are in for a crazy time with Christmas, New Year, new baby and a certain little Miss' second birthday. Where has the year gone? At least she is learning to get comfy around the bump.



Ignore me in my PJs



Holidays again and some fab news!

Another term is over and the first week of the hols has flown by. Lydibug is now 19 months and the owner of 9 pearly whites which she loves to brush. She is also getting ready to be a big sister as bug #2 is due mid Jan. Not sure what life will be like with 2 but I'm sure it won't be dull. I'm 23 weeks now, we've had all our scans but didn't find out the sex. I'm spending most my evenings going through baby names books but nothing has stood out yet. It seems harder this time round as not only has it got to be something we both like but it needs to go with Lydi. Lydi is aware my tummy is getting bigger, mainly because she can't get comfy on my lap so easily but she enjoys blowing raspberries on it and playing knock knock.

Lydi is certainly developing her own character. We get plenty of nos, a few yeses and several tantrums. She is talking constantly. Thankfully it is getting easier to understand and each day she is coming out with a new phrase, the latest has included "hmmmm, I like it" and " Daaaaaaay (our neighbour Dave) outside". This also means we have to watch what we say in front of her as she parrots everything back.

Here are a few of her latest favourite things:

Playing golf

Cooking.
A rare but fun time. 

Eating at the big table.

Looking after her new baby.
I say looking after, poor baby has been drowned, thrown but this was a rare tlc moment.

Chalking.

Painting
Any tips for getting blue paint off the high chair much appreciated.

Footie night for Dad, lounge room picnic for us girls.

She has also become a huge Lady Gaga fan. Every time we are flicking through the music channels if she even hears a snippet of a song she is at the TV wanting to see the whole thing. Answering the phone is also a must so sorry if you ever ring and Lydi gets there first, you'll have to talk to her for a bit. I should also prepare you if we get there first as all hell will break loose and we won't be able to hear each other speak.

Promise to do a video update next time, hopefully it won't be a Christmas themed one but the way time is going who knows!

Hi ho hi ho

Well, one blink and three weeks holidays are over.  The first week was a catch up with everything week and by catch up I mean sleep, with a bit of house and school work thrown in. The second and third week were absolute bliss, full of play, cuddles, fun and a few days away.

Lydibug is such a character who is on the go none stop. She is constantly chatting, moving, exploring and smiling. It has been so lovely to be home with her again, she has made us laugh so many times with all the new little things she can do. We had a great few days down the coast staying at a gorgeous apartment. Lydi wasn't too sure of the balcony at first but her Daddy spent so much time out there taking pictures she soon got use to it.

Getting braver.

Lydi loved playing with all the remotes and we were both impressed with the spa bath. It was deep enough for her to swim in. The weather wasn't great but it's amazing how much you relax when away from home and Lydi got to see her first rainbow. She also got her first piggy tails, so cute.

Yes, she kept them in.

We went swimming at the Colmslie and Lydi loved being able to walk up and down the ramp into the water. She did really well with holding on to the edge and  did some great back floating, I think the reflection of the water on the roof distracted her.

Her most favourite thing to do at the moment is to talk on the phone, real and toy ones. She will chat for ages on her little toy phone and has a screaming fit if she doesn't get to talk on the real phone. The other day I though it was her dad calling the home phone so I let her answer it, turned out to be a charity and Lydibug let them know she was not impressed. Don't think they'll be calling ever again. Here's a clip of her gossipping in the kitchen.

The very last day of the hols we went to New Farm Park with her auntie. We spent a lot of time by the off leash area so Lydi could watch the dogs and we popped into the Powerhouse. Of course we went to the play area and it was manic but Lydibug and her auntie had a great time.

Climbing her first tree

1,2,3,swinnnnnnng

Who's having more fun?

Still attempting to get a nice shot of the 3 of us.

The first week of term 3 is already over and Lydi loved going back to daycare, though the early starts were tough on us all. She is now going 4 days a week which means she gets to go to playgroup, which she loved. Only 9 more weeks till the next hols, can't wait.

x

Holidays!!

The first term is over and we have survived but boy has it been tough. Plenty of illnesses, hard work and sleepless nights have taken their toll. Fingers crossed I don't get sick over the hols. We are all looking forward to me being off for 3 weeks, the house will be tidy , the cupboards will be stocked, the ironing mountain will shrink to a small hill and most importantly we all get to lie in.

Lydibug has changed so much. She has become a little girl who knows what she wants and when she wants it. She loves going to her family day care, now she even walks me to the door to wave me off each morning. It is so much easier to leave a happy smiley girl, but I will admit I rung her Daddy with tears in my eyes the first few mornings she did it.

The list of things she can do now is huge, but here are some of my favourites:

• take her shoes and socks off and put her socks in her shoes every time
• finds her hat, shoes and sunnies to get ready to go out
• get the tomato sauce from the fridge (and puts it back when it's not needed)
• dusting, sweeping and hoovering (honestly, she loves doing it)
• do the actions to Twinkle, Twinkle and other nursery rhymes (yet to get on video, but will keep trying)
• gives out lots of kisses and blows great raspberries on my neck
• magna-doodling

At least we don't have to worry about the white walls

All set to go

My little Cinderella

She is constantly chatting and lots more words and signs are being used. She is always doing the sign for food and has discovered the bag of snacks I keep in her change bag so we often find her with the bib on trying to help herself. At day care she lets the lady know she needs a nappy change by going to get a nappy from her bag, but strangely she doesn't do that at home. I'm hoping to get her back to using the potty while I'm off but she is more interested in putting her toys in it and pushing it around the house.

I got to take her swimming this week and they have all moved on to the next level. Now we have to encourage them to hold on to us, rather than us holding them. Lydibug loves holding herself on the bar and moving around the edge on her own. She is even trying to pick toys up from the bottom. I would love to get some underwater photos of her as she has such a huge smile on her face when she is under. She is not so keen on the holding onto me part as she has never liked facing in, but she is great at kicking and loves falling in.

Lydibug has still only got the 4 teeth at the front but 2 more suddenly appeared at the back on her left and the same are coming through on the right side. She is getting better at brushing her teeth but only when we do ours as well.  She finally has a proper pair of shoes, they're very cute, white with polka dots on them and only size 3.5.

Here's a little montage of what she has been getting up to. Enjoy and I'll try not to leave it so long next time. xx

Well we have survived the first 4 weeks but are yet to do a full week of work or daycare. The very first day Lydia was sick so Daddy had to stay home, then at the end of the week Daddy was sick so I had to stay home. All the rest of the weeks have had public holidays. These short weeks have been great as I've had 1 or 2 extra days at home at the weekend. Next week will be the first full week for us all, fingers crossed we survive.

It is so hard spending only a few hours a day with Lydia but she is doing great. At the childminder's she has been teaching all the others her animal sounds and 'uh-oh'. She still cries when I drop her off but it stops before I even get to the car most the time and it is lovely seeing all the things she gets up to. The other day she didn't see me arrive so I got to watch her playing happily with another little girl, and it is wonderful to get such a huge hug and kiss when she does spot me.

Daddy and Lydibug are enjoying swimming lessons. She is now holding herself up on the side and loves wobbling across the floating mat. She has also started Tumbletastics (the next class up from Baby Sensory), I'm very excited as I get to take her tomorrow. I have taken on coaching a netball team but tomorrow we don't have a game so I get to go and play instead.

A couple of weeks ago we had a lovely catch up with our mothers' group. It was great watching the four little friends together, toddling about and chatting nonsense. Lydibug is now walking everywhere and attempting steps, thankfully she turns around and climbs down them feet first. But as soon as she is outside she toddles up the side of the house to play with the stones on the path. A few times she has thought about going under the house, for now a firm 'NO' is enough to stop her. Not sure how long that will last so barricading underneath will be the next job on the ever growing list.

As mentioned earlier uh-oh is Lydi's favourite word. I accidentally left the laundry tap on and it flooded. As I was desperately trying to clear up Lydi just sat and uh-ohed at me. As soon as Daddy came home she practically went to get him to show him, then uh-ohed for another half hour. I'm guessing I won't be able to use the old 'let's not tell Daddy about that' line in the future.

Her dancing is coming along, she is definitely a fan of David Guetta. Every time we hear one of his songs her little arms start going up and down. She also joins in with nursery rhymes, she can do the actions to Twinkle Twinkle and sings along to Wheels on the Bus.

The picture I got whilst at work today.

Not sure when I'll be back on here again, reports need to be started next week, but promise to be back soon.
x

Lydibug, it's all about to change.

This post was started the weekend before I went back to work. I was an emotional wreck and Lydibug wasn't well, and now I'm back at work it took a while to get the photos and videos sorted. But this is how I was feeling at the time.
Update 13/4/11
 Lydi had her 2nd day at the childminder's today and I think she has already figured out what is going to happen. This morning as soon as she saw her backpack she clung onto me, hardest goodbye yet. Yes, there were more tears from both of us. I know she has fun during the day charging about with the other bubs, but it doesn't make leaving her any easier.

To my gorgeous girl,
For the last 14 months I have been with you everyday. I've shared every smile, tear and giggle with you and though there have been a few tough days I wouldn't change a moment of it. But life as we know it is about to change. Mummy is going back to work and you are going to start having your own adventures. I wish I could be with you everyday but sadly, as you'll no doubt find out, money is needed to keep things going.
You were so brave at your day care visits, much braver than Mummy who sat in the car round the corner crying her eyes out after the first drop off. Your carer said you had a few little cries but after a quick cuddle and some toys to distract you you were off again playing with the other children. You will get used to daycare, soon you'll be wanting to go rather than being stuck at home.
This week has been amazing, you are walking!!! After watching your friends run about in the park you took your first 2 steps last Saturday, within a few days you were walking across the lounge and climbing down the steps to walk around the garden.

With this new skill you have also discovered a huge amount of independence (a polite way of describing your new stubborness). Believe me, I didn't let you walk onto the road for a very good reason and the huge temper tantrum you threw was not necessary. I'm sure there will be many more of those to come and I promise I won't always laugh, but you did look funny sitting on the grass verge kicking your legs and squeezing out tears.
We had such a lovely day yesterday at Roma St Parklands. You saw where Mummy and Daddy used to live and you met some barnyard babies. You loved being in with the animals but didn't want to touch them. The ducks were your favourite, you kept trying to quack at them. We had a great play in the park and you loved sharing my ice-cream, you definately have my sweet tooth. I promise we will have lots of special days like that in the future.

Having lunch in her new pram.



Baa baa black sheep.



Have you any wool?

yumyumyumyumyum

You are my angel and even though I'm not with you all day every day, I will always be there for you.
Love you Lydibug
Mummy xx

Little chomper

At last Lydibug has sprouted a couple of teeth. Her top left one appeared on the 8th, followed by the bottom right on the 19th. I'm really impressed with her amber necklace as she has had no issues with them. The other front bottom one won't be long. She looks so grown up with two little pearly white teeth and she is given them a good work out. I keep finding her mouthing table edges or her cups.

We had a bit of a fright last week. We were at the park with Gosia and Max and as usual Lydi was off playing in the woodchip when suddenly she was screaming. I turned to see her flapping wildly and something was buzzing around her. The poor little mite had been stung/ bitten twice, on the forehead and at the side of her eye. I have never heard her scream like that before and the one by her eye starting to swell immediately. She was inconsolable. Gosia had to hold her arms while I held her and tried to get some cold water on the stings. After a what seemed forever she was distracted by some food and we managed to have a good look. Thankfully nothing was in either one and the swelling had gone within an hour, the marks were pretty much gone by the time her Daddy got home. Those who know Lydibug know how long she keeps a mozzie bite so I'm not sure what it was but I'm in no rush to go through that again.

It's official. I'm returning to to work in 2 weeks. We have got childcare sorted and the little bug is going on a few practice visits and I think we will have a few rehersals to get out of the house on time. It will be a shock to us all as to be up at 7am is early for Lydi and that is the time she will be dropped off. I'm not looking forward to being away from her but after a day visiting school I realised how quick it goes by. I'm just going to have to be super organised so I get as much done at school as possible, and realise if it doesn't get done it can wait till tomorrow. Felt a bit silly the other day choosing a lunchbox for Lydi, was almost in tears so I just walked away and thought I'll do it tomorrow, see I am practising.

Lydibug is doing lots of standing and climbing. There have been a few times I have found her on the coffee table or holding onto the window bars trying to open the windows. Boy, she is fast. Thankfully she has learnt feet first when climbing down which is great for getting down steps and off the bed or sofa, but not so great when trying to get her to jump into the pool. She does the safest jump in her instructor has ever seen. Daddy will have all the fun of swimming once I'm working as he is going to have a day off with her each week. It's great they will have that time together, just wish I could be there too.

At Baby Sensory the other week Jewels kindly set up mucky play and of course our little bug was straight in there. Thankfully it was only goop so once dry it just brushed off her. She loved it. I use to love using this with my reception class and it got me thinking of other messy stuff I could do with her; soap flakes, shaving foam...

You can see her tooth too.

She has finally got the hang of painting rather than eating the paint and loved making cards for Daddy and her Nana.

Can you guess what it is yet?

What else have we been up to? Lydibug still loves her music and has added a few more moves to her repertoire, mainly the stand and bounce, and the bottom up in the air wiggle. Her hair is now long enough for a helicoptor style pony tail, but I have to chase her about as I do it.

I'm not sure about this Mum.

We have also learnt the hard way to make sure Lydi at least has some shorts on over her nappy when she sleeps during the day. She quickly learnt that if I hear her take it off I come back into her room to put it back on, so I decided to ignore her. Let's just say I won't be doing that again.

We have been to feed the ducks a few times. Lydi now tries to quack and say duck, but every other animal is still an oof-oof. Every small toy is being used as a phone and she has a new cuddly dog toy which she loves. I'm sure she is trying to tell us she wants a dog, her face lit up when she saw the chocolate lab puppies at the pet shop and so did mine.

This week we had another hip check for Lydibug. It was very frustrating as after waiting for nearly an hour we were barely in with the specialist long enough to sit down. He didn't even look at Lydi, just quickly glanced at her x-ray and said all seems fine, see you in a year. But it was great to get the all clear. Now just have to look into getting my coccyx fixed. It is fractured and has displaced by 7mm, which seems quite a lot for such a little bone. I'm sure it must have happened when I had Lydi as I don't know what else could have caused it, but why has it only starting hurting in the last few months???

Read a great tip the other day. We are not beach people, crazy I know living in Oz with all its beautiful beaches, but the sand just gets everywhere. But I read the best way to get all the sand off bub or yourself is to use talc, I guess it absorbs all the moisture and the sand is easier to remove. Will have to give it a try and if it works will add talc to the pile of stuff we keep in the car just in case.

Think that is enough from me for now, will try to get a few videos sorted for the next post. Hopefully Lydibug will be walking by then, don't want to miss her first steps. X

The end of summer

Well that's the end of summer, the little bug woke up at 1am the other night as she was cold so the 1 tog gro-bags are back out. Thankfully the days, when dry, are just right. Last week we had a few really hot days so Lydibug finally got to use her paddling pool. Unfortunately we only have a hand pump so it took me nearly 2 hours to set up, but it was worth it to watch her have 5 mins of fun. But once again the box proved to be much more interesting. Here is few recent pics of Lydi and her precious boxes.

Her own house.



The squeaky pool box.

Baskets are just as much fun too.

 She is having a great time pushing things around the house, be it chairs, stools or a potty. I think she enjoys the noise it makes on the wooden floor. As soon as she is left to stand on her own though she slowly lowers herself to the floor, but will happily do lap after lap of the house if she has something to hold on to. Lydibug has finally discovered drawers, she loves emptying them out and sometimes, if I'm lucky, she'll throw everything back in.


Her kitchen drawer.

We have a few new words to add to her vocabulary, 'bye', 'Daddy' and the most frequent 'uh-oh'. I'm still waiting to hear 'Mummy', haven't even had a 'Mama' in ages but I do get some fantastic sloppy kisses and cuddles. Lydi still loves music and singing, her favourite at the moment  is e-i-e-i-e-i-e-i, we haven't quite mastered the o.

Daddy and I have had some tough decisions to make and it looks like I will have to return to work full time. I'm just so pleased that I got to have this time at home with my gorgeous girl, and I'm sure it'll be harder for me than it is for her. But at least with being a teacher there are plenty of holidays to enjoy and I'm going to be super organised so I get as much  as possible done at school. Right, change of subject as my eyes are getting watery at the thought of it.

With summer ending here it must be coming into spring back home. Not many spring flowers here so to end here's a pic of my little daffodil. She did have a little orange nose but that didn't last too long and that tongue!!!! At baby class there was a photographer taking pictures for their new website and she posed beautifully, whichever way she pointed her camera Lydibug was trying to get into the shot. Will let you know if the photos are used on the website.  



And if you haven't already don't forget to vote for Lydi in the Bonds competition.

http://babysearch.bonds.com.au/entry/12821/lydia-d

Zoom there goes another

The weeks are going by a bit too quick, I'm just trying to remember what we got up to. On Wednesday Lydi and I went to school, everyone said she looks a lot like me now and she got lots of compliments about her hair colour. She had a great time crawling around the classrooms and disrupting lessons. We popped to Ikea (yes I only bought what I needed) then we had afternoon tea with my wonderful TA. Lydi was very spoilt with lots of attention from her three teens, a dog and two rats. She wasn't sure about the rats, but loved playing the piano.

On Friday we went swimming and it was assessment week. Lydibug is a real water babe (nothing like her mum) and got a great report, even I got good comments. The only thing we need to practice is holding onto the sides, but we're loving being jellyfish.

I had a great night out with a couple of mums, had a lovely time but it did feel a bit strange being out without Lydi. Think I need to practice this. Apparently Lydi was looking for me but was very good for Daddy.

Lydi is mastering more skills. She now spoon feeds herself (very messy), drinks from a cup (even messier) and can climb on to the sofa (not so messy but will have to watch her even more now). She loves walking about holding our hands and as taken a few steps holding just one hand, but not ready to go it alone just yet. I think her teeth are on the move again as we have had a few unpleasant nappies and she has got nappy rash, something she has never really suffered with as her cloth nappies are great. I use Green Kids and they are currently on sale, 20% off everything.
Lydi had a huge afternoon sleep today, it got so dark with the storm she must have thought it was night. For those back home the storms here are nothing like I've seen before. We went outside but the thunder was so loud it made both of us jump. She was copying the signs for rain and thunder, and trying so hard to be brave but every time it thundered she would throw herself on me. It's a good job I'm so brave...

Here are a few photos from the past week.



Telling scary stories





Enjoying the air con.

 


Enjoying salmon while Daddy is away, he's not a fan.

 




Two little bugs

  Daddy is away this week, we are both going to miss him lots and he has rung several times so I think he misses us too.

Our little raver!

Lydibug is now 1 year and 1 week old and she has had a great few days. She has loved getting all her toys out and decorating the lounge with them. I think we need a trip to Ikea for some more toy baskets, but that also means I'll buy all sorts of things that we don't really need... I'm already mentally making a list. And I must thank her uncle for the fuzzy felt card which she loves but everyday I've had a panic thinking she has eaten part of it, it's way out of reach now. Here she is with most of her gifts, she was a very lucky girl.



Little Evil Kenevil!

 On Friday we went to Lollypops and Lydi had a great time playing in the ball pool and on the bouncy castle. She especially loved the hole in the bouncy castle and the way it blew her hair everywhere, she looked like she was on the set of an 80s power ballad video.
Today we went to a lovely 1st birthday lunch but our little bug was not her usual happy self until she got in the paddling the pool, then she managed to wear herself out with all the splashing. We should have gone to another party in the afternoon but Lydi was shattered and hadn't eaten much so we stayed home and she slept most the afternoon. I think it must be from her needles, thank goodness it's 6 months till the next one.

I've finally got round to uploading some videos. Here's one from her big day and a great one of Lydibug dancing. When I was pregnant she would always move about when the Black Eye Peas came on the radio and now she loves her Daddy's music. I wonder if he'll ever complain that her music is just a load of noise in the future.

We have just discovered our barren banana tree is with bananas. Yay! The price of bananas has tripled since Cyclone Yasi hit. There are quite a few on there but I'll have to check when to harvest them and hope Blossom Possum doesn't help herself.  As you have probably guessed I don't know much about gardening, I think that gene missed me but I would love a veggie patch. It's on our very long list of things to do.

Hope you are enjoying the blog, thanks to those who leave comments, it's good to know I'm not boring you all. I've even past the blog baton on to a friend, who will be next?

xox

Forgot to add Lydi now helps at bathtime, she can wriggle out of shorts, tries to pull her tops off and afterwards can moisturise her right leg and right side of her tummy. It's so funny to watch as she just can't cross that invisible centre line, but it all helps.

When I was 1 I had just begun



The b'day girl and her cake.



My baby girl is 1!!!! What an amazing year it has been and we had a great time celebrating.

You can just see the bunting in this one.

The week before the big day was very busy, some friends from the UK stayed with us after travelling around NZ and Aus for 3 months and then I went crazy trying to get everything done. Thankfully everything went smoothly, apart from realising we have no serving crockery or cake stand, thanks to all those lovely people who helped us out.

Lydibug had a great day and was so spoilt we have only just opened all her presents 4 days later. She was very happy being the centre of attention and loved all the singing and cheering.

Today our poor bug learnt about the downside of turning 1, the next lot of needles were due. She was not a happy bunny, holding her down while both the nurse and the doctor stuck needles in her at the same time was not pleasant for me either. But after a big sleep and a feed she seemed much better. Thank goodness we had the last few presents to open to cheer her up.







Only 1 week to go

Today we went to the first of many 1st birthday parties and had a lovely time. There was a soft play area set up and Lydibug had a great time. DP was surprised at how she would crawl off to explore without us, I think she just likes being nosy, wonder where she gets that from? Can't believe our little bug will only be a baby for 1 more week, I'm not sure if I'm ready for her to be 1 yet.

Weeeeeee!

Who's that crossing my bridge?

I just found this clip on DP's phone from a couple of weeks ago and thought I would share with you all. Lydibug is getting around with her walker and trolley but only in straight lines. She soon lets us know if there is something in her way.

Also wanted to report Lydibug is now in Jellyfish class for swimming, will find out what that means next Fri, and she also stood on her own a few times yesterday (28/1/11). I tried to get a photo but every time she realised she was doing it she fell down.

Be warned everyone. Lydibug managed to phone a dear friend back home with no regard for the time difference, thankfully she has a baby too so was up early feeding. It's scary to think how technological Lydibug's life will be. She already loves playing with the remotes, phones, cameras and loves loves loves the laptop. What will be next?

Buried under socks

Can't believe it's been almost been a week since I last did this. What have we been up to I hear you ask, well it's been a busy week.

Lydibug had a couple of playdates last week and was given more Christmas presents, some beautiful slippers from Poland and a great bouncy nipply ball which she loves throwing about. She had her first encounter with a cat, neither of them were too sure to begin with but then Leo's tail brushed her face and she loved it. He was a very gentle cat. We also went to Lollypop Playland, Lydibug is getting more adventurous but that means I have to go in after her when she gets stuck. It was very busy as it was the last week of holidays but a few of the bigger kids were very caring and brought her down the slide with them. She had a blast!

At the top of the slide.

We went swimming on Saturday and again today and hopefully Lydibug will be moving up to jellyfish class, she's a starfish at the mo. She loves the water but needs to keep her mouth closed when she is under, she just can't help smiling.

Lydibug is finding all sorts of things entertaining at the moment. She loves putting things in and out of containers, be it pegs, clean folded laundry, blocks. This morning while Daddy was finding a matching pair of socks she started burying me underneath them. Wish I got a picture of the look on her face as she put the last sock over my eyes, she looked very impressed with herself, thank goodness they were clean. The next half an hour was spent throwing socks about.

Mummy's revenge



A speedy escape

Lydibug has a book that plays 'Wheels on the bus' and she loves it, we can sing it 20 times in a row!!! ARGHHH! But she can almost do the actions, will try to catch on camera soon. She has also discovered a new favourite spot to watch the world go by, standing on the bench on the front veranda.

Who goes there?

Had better go and wake the little miss, she always sleeps well after swimming. But I want her to have a big sleep this afternoon so I can carry on attacking the garden.
Take care all xx

Planning the big 1

Lydibug will be turning 1 in just over 2 weeks. Where has the year gone? I'm busy planning her party but really need to start doing things. The invitations went out over the weekend and  my to-do list is getting longer.


The invite

 I have a few projects that have been started and need to be finished (a height chart, a toy box and bunting). The toy box was started when I was pregnant, well I say started but all I have done is painted the letters that will be put on, the actual box is still full of our winter clothes. But the height chart is almost done and the bunting is all cut, just need to sit and sew. I like to have a go at different crafts, but yet to find my calling. I have made 2 rehersal cakes, the first not great, the second was better so fingers crossed the third and final cake will be perfect.

Lydi has learnt a few more tricks, some great and some not so great. She now walks with her walker and trolley rather than going along on her knees, but corners are a bit tricky. She has been giving lots of kisses and loves rubbing noses. She has also discovered some very high notes and loves to use them... LOUDLY!



Putting in her lunch order (loudly)



Chatting to the neighbours (loudly)

 She has also discovered the sound of slapping and stamping (whilst sitting down). It's hilarious watching her little legs go up and down, but we will have to watch the slapping. She has caught me a few times, ouchy.

Today was a scorcher so we spent most of the day on the back deck making the most of the breeze. Lydibug wasn't sure about the textured doormats and kept going around them to get in and out, but she loved spotting the birds and aeroplanes. She can now look to where we point rather than look at the end of our finger.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

We had plenty of practice using baby sign for bird and plane. I don't use it as all the time but Lydibug enjoys all the actions and signs at Baby Sensory class so I should try and use it more often. Here's a link if you are interested -  Baby sign glossary.