Sunday 30 April 2006

The first photo is Lauren at James' first birthday party - I was sitting in the chair with her on my lap, but got up and just sat her by herself - she was perfectly happy, despite the vacant look. She is starting to get the hang of photos - she looks at the camera, we've just got to get her to smile now! The next photo is Lauren playing with her toys - she loves pulling them towards her. She also uses the arms of the playgym to move herself around - she is rolling over all the time now and is sometimes having difficulty rolling back.

The photo of her in her jolly jumper was taken today - she was jumping in it, rather than walking around, but of course I didn't get that on camera!

We've had a busy week this week - Tuesday was Anzac Day and Dave & I were determined to take Lauren to the Dawn Ceremony at Auckland Museum - the only thing that would keep us away was the rain - and it chucked it down all Monday night and then most of Tuesday morning! So we stayed in bed instead!

Wednesday was Lauren's 5 month injections - more vaccinations, and apart from crying when she was injected, she was fine. Later that morning we had a visit with the Plunket nurse - Lauren is slowly gaining weight and rapidly growing in height! Some of her 0-3 month trousers still fit her, they are still a little big around her waist and come to mid-calf!

Thursday was playgroup again - which she just loves. As long as she can see what is going on, Lauren is happy! It was the same at James' birthday party on Saturday - she was content to sit and watch everyone else, although I think she'd have had a piece of chocolate cake if she could - she definitely had her eye on it.

She is still feeding well - although banana wasn't a particular success - she was sick several times after eating it, which apparently is what has happened with several friends - so maybe she's still a little young for banana. She eats really well, although still waves her arms around which has resulted in food in her hair, up her nose and of course all over me! I tried her on peaches this week, which she wasn't too keen on, so will leave it a few days and try once again this week.

Don't know whether or not she has a cold coming - she's been "coughing" a bit over the past few days, but I'm not too sure whether it's a cold or the latest in the sounds that she can make!!!

Sunday 23 April 2006

Today Lauren is 5 months old - where has the time disappeared to? The photos of her in her chair were all taken today. She is wearing a top sent to her by my parents. Eeyore was sent to her by my sister at Christmas - it arrived yesterday, as Jane said, it probably walked here! Although the tag said it's not for children under a year, Lauren loves it and holds her hand to it and strokes it in the same way she does the Kitty!

The photo of Lauren in her high chair was taken at the beginning of the week - she loves being in it, but hasn't really mastered the eating side of things! It gives her a different view of everything and she loves looking around and seeing what's going on - have I mentioned before that she's nosey?

On Tuesday Lauren rolled over for the first time - she hasn't done it since, although she is definitely moving around a lot more. Of course she rolled over when she was by herself - I left her under her play gym for a couple of minutes and when I came back she was lying on her tummy looking pleased with herself!

Her eyes seems to be sorting themselves out colourwise - they have a ring of grey around them and the inside is a pale brown/grey - depends on light and what she's wearing I suppose! Some people think that her eyes are green, but I can't really see it. The general view is that she still looks like Dave, although neither Dave nor I can see it - we just think she's Lauren. Her passports arrived this week - she has a Kiwi one and a British one, so she's all set to go to England at the end of May.

Monday 17 April 2006 - Easter Monday

More photos of Lauren taken this week. The one of her & Ash was taken Easter Sunday at the airport just before Ash & Shea left. Lauren was giggling at Ash, which was very cute to see! The outfit she is wearing was given to her by Roanna, Mark, Emma & Jessica who live opposite us.

The next photo shows Lauren using her play gym - wearing a dress sent to her by my mum. In fact Daphne (mum's cousin) had sent the same dress over in newborn size, which Lauren has obviously outgrown - we liked the dress so much that mum bought it in the larger size!

The next photo shows Lauren posing - she looks quite pensive, so god knows what is going through her brain! She's wearing a top sent by Pat & Dick Thraves (family friends) and trousers given to her by Mark & Tara (our friends).

So what's been happening this week? Well Lauren has really got the hang of feeding - she's now on two feeds a day and just loves her fruit - she's not too sure of pumpkin, but does eat it! I'm thinking of tying down her hands & feet, as they are waving around with excitment whilst I'm trying to feed her, which can result in food everywhere! You can almost set the clock by her with her bottle feeds - about 3 3/4 hours between each one.

On Thursday we went to a local Plunket playgroup, with her friend James and his mum, Lou. James is nearly a year and loved being there playing with other kids about the same age or older. He loved crawling around, whereas Lauren just loved watching everything and everyone. The Onehunga firemen came along, allowing the kids to sit in the fire engine and providing some pleasing eye-candy for the mums! The Easter bunny was also there, although Dave got to eat Lauren's egg, as she's really a bit too young! There's no playgroup this week, but we'll definitely be returning there every Thursday morning once it starts again - Lauren slept really well Thursday afternoon, so that was an added bonus!

Lauren is still moving around her cot, and has started on the floor too! I put her on her tummy today and she was trying to bring her legs underneath her and move that way. I know that we have a real live wire with Lauren and Dave & I will be kept fit with her once she starts moving! Still no sign of teeth, but her cheeks are red and she's dribbling a lot - think it's only a matter of time before we spot one! I've learnt that Lauren does a lot of things when she thinks there's no-one around - I've discovered her using her legs against the bars in the cot to roll over to her side and then "walk" around the cot sides! Once she sees me, she stops and is all smiles.

Sunday 9 April 2006

This is Lauren sitting on a bean bag - it's great because she can support herself, which she loves! The outfit has been lent to her by Roanna, who lives opposite us.

This week has been much quieter - Lauren wasn't particularly impressed on Monday with only Dave & I being around, but has been much happier this week - plenty of smiles and giggles. She is still raising her head and trying to sit up - she is pulling on her restraints in the pram & car seat - I have a feeling that once she starts moving Dave & I are in trouble!

She is able to move from one end of her cot to the other, although isn't really interested in moving on the floor. She's still not keen on tummy time and isn't bothered about rolling over - she just wants to stand! Still no sign of any teeth, so maybe it was a false alarm. We are still very proud parents and just adore our little girl.

Lauren's Naming Ceremony - 2/4/06

This is Lauren Ashley Cunningham's naming ceremony. Rhonda, who married Dave & I, performed the service, which was lovely. Lauren was "blessed" with red and white rose petals symbolising love and purity. Her godparents are in the bottom photos - Lou and Ash (who she is named after). I thought I should also include a photo of Lauren and me, as I am usually the one taking the photos. She is wearing a dress given to her by my godmother's family, Betty & Peter Deal.

Lauren was very well behaved during the ceremony and then afterwards she just smiled lots and was passed round various people getting lots of cuddles. She was very smiley until about 6.00 when she fell asleep in Shea's arms (Shea and Ash married on 31 March 2006). It was lovely to see so many friends, and of course, having a BBQ on our deck again. Unfortunately we didn't have perfect weather, but at least the rain wasn't too heavy. John Fleming did an amazing job cooking the food and it's a shame he's returning to Guernsey. Thank you, John.

Dave & I are very proud to be Lauren's parents and we adore showing her off. I'm looking forward to taking Lauren to London and introducing her to my friends and family.

Monday 3 April 2006

This photo was taken on Friday 31 March - this is Dave's idea of looking after Lauren!

The past week has been quite hectic, but very enjoyable. We've been catching up with friends, plus had a 30th birthday to celebrate and yesterday was Lauren's naming ceremony (see next blog).

On Wednesday Dave, Ash, Shea, Shea's mum Brenda and I took Lauren to the zoo - she's probably a bit young to know what was going on, but it was a good excuse for us to go! She'll definitely enjoy it when she's a bit older - but of course she loved being out and about and there was plenty for her to look at.

When lying on her back Lauren is now lifting her head and feet up at the same time - kind of like doing sit-ups! She's basically trying to sit up as she's nosey and wants to see what is going on! She's also crossing her legs at her ankles and straightening her legs - which looks very cute. Today she manoeuvered herself 180 degrees whilst in her cot and ended up with her head where her feet usually go. She looked very pleased with herself for having achieved such a feat!

She was a bit grizzly at the start of the week, but seems to have improved as the week went on and has been a very happy girl again. No sign of any teeth, but one of her cheeks is still a bit red, so who knows when the teeth will be here.