This morning Penelope and Rob had their first swimming lesson together. About a 10 minute from our house (directly opposite Bunnings) the council has just opened up a swimming complex with and indoor and an outdoor pool. The indoor pool is set up predominantly for kids swimming lessons which is very handy. They start the kids at 4 months, so now Poppy is 4 months and 4 days we decided to give a lesson a go and see how she went . . . turns out she LOVED it!!
We went with one of Robs work mates Mat and his daughter Sam, while Alison and I took photos from the sideline, wishing we were in the water with them.
They sang lots of songs, put their ears (not faces) under and tried to learn about blowing bubbles. The main skills they teach at this age is learning to grab the edge of the pool, or your clothing as well as confidence. Their were no tears, a few hand splashes and lots of leg kicking!!
Rob, Poppy, Mat & Sam getting ready to hop in the pool with the instructor:
Having fun whilst posing for the camera:
Learning to reach for the duck at the edge of the pool:
Of course the obligatory movie:
Poppy & Sam getting changed on the change table afterward (these guys are two days apart):
And for something totally unrelated, before we went to swimming this morning Rob and Poppy were reading a 4WD magazine in bed while Mum got up and had breakfast. I think they may even have the same facial expressions!
Yes I admit that I am about 6 weeks behind schedule so thought I better do a BIG catch up on our activities:
NEW ZEALAND From 19 - 30 March we went to NZ to show off our little girl. We had a fantastic, yet slightly hectic time catching up with everyone and trying to relax at the same time. Penelope traveled like an angel. She fed on the way up and fed on the way down and chatted to herself and had wee naps the rest of time, on all four flights that we took her on.
She also enjoyed looking out the window as we travelled over the pacific and up and down the islands:
The biggest benefit of us going over was the opportunity for all remaining great-grandparents to meet the newest edition to the family. To do this we had a quick trip to Christchurch for 36 hours and had a lovely stay with Rob's cousin Cath & Eliot and their kids Emily & Darcy:
Poppy with Lois (Mums step-mum):
Poppy with Stan & Audrey (Dad's parents):
In Auckland we stayed with Dad for a weekend and Mum for the second half of the week. We got to take Rob out to Piha to see the wild west coast and its black sand beachs and other than that just has a relaxing time:
FLEMINGS COME AND VISIT After 10 days back in Australia we had Greg, Sarah & Madeline come to stay with us for 10 days. We had an absolutely fantastic time with them! Rob & Greg got on really well considering they didn't know each other very well to start with (they became very close after bonding underneath a bulldozer for a day), Madeline was a little angel to have around, and Sarah and I had a great time catching up and a bit of reminiscing!
They were after a Aussie experience so we took them out to Rob's Aunt and Uncles house (Mac & Loy) who live 5.5hrs solid drive (no stopping) west of Brisbane on a farm called Tregona.
We did a bit of 4WDing, checked out the farm, the boys reinstalled the bulldozer radiator, shot kangaroos, fox, wild pig and cats.
Poppy also caught her first cold while we were away and being 2.5 hrs drive from the nearest shops made me very grateful to have some experienced Mums who knew exactly what to do to help decongest a whole lot of snot!
All in all it was a fantastic time and we can't wait till the Flemings move over here so we can see them more often. A huge thanks to Mac & Loy for letting us come and stay at such short notice as well. CAMPING AT BOOREEN POINT We were feeling brave after such successful other activities that we decided to have a go at camping with Poppy over the weekend just been. We headed up to Booreen Point, just north of Noosa for 3 nights. Well it actually turned into 2 nights because weather and traffic were not in our favour on the way up and so we ended up crashing at Chris & Merilyns at the last minute, however the rest of the weekend was extremely successful.
Out little girl slept through every night, I learnt to drive on 60 odd kilometers of sand when we headed up to Double Island point, included learning to floor the accelerator on the soft sand, we took Poppy for her first 'swim' and all in all reckon we didn't scare our friends off having kids(!)
We are not quite sure how people travel with more than one kid and fit everything in the boot without taking a trailer. This was our car and daughter on the way there:
Poppy and Rob hanging out infront of the tent:
Hiding from the sun in the car at lunch time:
Just before the first swim:
Bed time . . . she was tucked in between our bed and the edge of the tent:
The first swim:
HICCUPS Today I had the hiccups and Poppy found it quite amusing. Just before this was filmed each time I hiccuped she would do an actual laugh. This video was the best we could capture!
So that's all folks. Sorry if some of it doesn't make sense or if I missed out something important. I'm tired and am just glad I have updated you all with some photos!
After spending most of the week working in the Gold Coast, Shannon came to visit for a day. It was great to see her and for her to meet Poppy. They had a great time hanging out with each other, doing a bit of shopping, talking to each other and of course, skyping Uncle Nick in Canada:
I almost gave up trying to get good photos of Poppy smiling and laughing and so went for a video instead. I apologise for it being on its side but I haven't yet worked out how to rotate a video in the software that we use. Next time I will just have to remember to have the camera up the right way!
Poppy is having a grand old time smiling when we get her up in the morning, sing to her, play with her and any general interaction (if she is in a good mood). She loves strange noises and her favourite songs are 'Good Morning' and 'Heads Shoulders Knees and Toes'. Its so neat to have her interacting with the world more and more each day.
We are off to NZ tomorrow for 10 days so in the process of trying to borrow and find winter clothes for her (just in case the weather turns) I have come across these two beanies. . .I couldn't resist but to take a photo of her. Soooo cute!!
We have just had a lovely weekend up at Rob's parents place. Luke, Kim & Liam were up from Melbourne and Lizzie, Neil, Thomas & Amy came over for the day as well. It was a houseful of laughter, crying and chaos but most of all heaps of fun giving the cousins a chance to all play together.
The family together (except for Merilyn who took the photo): Poppy and her two older boy cousins (Thomas & Liam): Liam trying to drink the ice in the bucket : Poppy hanging out with Nan: Thomas walking all by himself: Amy eating peas (sorry about the focus on this one!): And in other news, here is some head lifting during tummy time and a part of a smile (the best we have been able to do so far.): Poppy is due for her 2 month check up this week and therefore her 2 month injections as well. Hope you are all well!
Hey all, So we have reached the 6 week mark. Achievements so far have been:
Mummy ignoring me when I cry and taking photos instead (not a usual occurrence):
Having my first night away from home. I stayed at Nan and Grandfathers and even got to have a bath in the bathroom sink (thank goodness I was the right size to fit in it). I also slept for 8hrs straight that night from 7pm to 3am!
Mummy took me on my first train trip to the big city and back. I managed to sleep both ways! Daddy gave me my first ever bottle. I chugged this one down without even blinking and then had to go to Mum for more milk!! I got really confused one morning in all my hunger and thought this might try and fill my stomach: Time was running short so I went on the shower with Dad. It was so much fun and I loved having all the water splash down on me. I even managed to Poo on Daddy to. I love water! And finally Mummy gave me a rattle to play with that was a present to Dad when he was a baby. I had a great time shaking it (until I realised the camera was on me that is):
Other news that doesn't have photos is that I had my 6 week check up at the Child Health Nurse (the equivalent of Plunket). I have put on 1.3 kg since I left hospital and now I weigh a healthy 4.2kg (9lb5oz). It means I have jumped from the 25 percentile to the 50%. I have also grown 5cm longer.
I have been going to a great playgroup with heaps of friends. I couple of them are almost my age as well which is nice. I will try and get some photos of this soon.
And Mum is forever taking my photo trying to get one that will be good for my new passport. I think she might have one now which is good. I'm so over posing for the camera.
Secretly I have started smiling over the past couple of weeks to, but I'm really good at hiding them as soon as the camera is on me, so it might take Mum and Dad a few more tries to prove it. I look just beautiful when I smile though, I'm melting hearts already.
But the biggest achievement of all that Mum and Dad can't believe is that on Monday night I slept for 10hrs straight! From 7pm to 5am!!! Mum and Dad checked on me at 4am to make sure I was ok, but I was all good.
Today our little girl is officially a month old. Its been an amazing month watching her grow and change each and every day. She is definitely learning more about her surroundings and her body, as she finds her lungs, and LOVES lying on her change table looking at her curtains.
She also completely surprised us on Monday last week and managed to roll from her front to her back while we were both sitting there watching her!!! Thankfully she hasn't done it again yet, but it was amazing to watch.
Here are some pictures from this week:
Dad has a racing stripe added to his singlet after a feed. I don't know if Penelope was too impressed having her photo taken this time!
The girls were busted having a mid-afternoon nap, and it wasn't even planned us being in the same position: Swing time is a great way to spend the afternoon before a bath. Dad is teaching her about all the trees in our backyard: Our first sleep in the big girl bed: Bath time is the best time of day. Its so calming and relaxing. Penelope loves splashing her feet, and even gave us a huge smile the other day. She could spend hours just sitting there just watching the water and having it dripped all over her face and body.
Little Penelope is now 3 weeks old and she is growing well. She has put on about 400g I think (in accurate weighing on my behalf) in the last two weeks.
Poppa came to visit (my dad) for three days which was really lovely. Penelope had her first story read to her, Hairy Maclary from Donaldsons Dairy, and we made muffins and went for walks. The two of them had a great time together. Having Dad here also meant that Rob and I could have our first Babyless date. We went for an evening stroll to Bunnings (600m away) to buy a doorbell, very romantic!
Mum has been staying with us as well, but she heads home today. It has been amazing having her here, helping around the house, cooking meals, giving advice etc. Penelope and I are now on our own though through the day to fend for ourselves and get things done! I'm looking forward to the challenges and the fun times ahead.
And of upmost importance here are some more photos for you:
Playing peak a boo Best place for the hands when hungry! It was a hot day that day and so most of it was spent lying on Mum . . . . . . or lying on Dad!! A family photo:
Having fun whilst posing for the camera:
Learning to reach for the duck at the edge of the pool:
Of course the obligatory movie:
