Monday 31 July 2006

Well I forgot to update this yesterday, but perhaps it was meant to be - Lauren slept through for the first time last night - she had her tea a bit later, was still in bed by about 6.30 and awoke at 6.00 this morning. I also discovered that she has cut her first tooth today - front bottom right - it's only just through, but it's here!

The first photo was taken on Saturday afternoon - Lauren is playing with James. He was very cute and was bringing toys to Lauren to play with - he would then take whichever one he wanted and wander off again! She is wearing an outfit given to her by Paul & Lou, although you can't really see it very clearly! The next photo is Lauren sitting on the couch next to Kitty (can't see cat!) - she is wearing an outfit given to her by Jacqui Peacock & family (Bertie's other granny). Whenever Lauren wears this hat, everyone comments on how wonderful she looks.

In the third photo Lauren is playing with a toy given to her by my aunt & uncle (Kris & David) - she is starting to play with this toy, although doesn't yet have the strength in her fingers to press the numbers. The final photo was taken last night - she had just finished her tea and was in fits of giggles. She is just starting to use the cup to drink out of, but only after she saw James using his one on Saturday!

A fun week, with beautiful weather and lots of walks. Lauren is full of smiles & laughter - long may it continue.

Sunday 23 July 2006

This is Lauren playing with her toys. She is 8 months old today, and despite the red cheeks, there are still no teeth! She is slowly getting over her cold - she has a bad cough and a lovely crusty nose, but otherwise seems fine. She is her usual happy, smiley self and manages to persuade everyone to love her. She has been off her food a little, but has regained her appetite over the past day or so. She's started eating fish this week, and is enjoying it.

This week has been fairly quiet - just wanted to take things easy for Lauren and make sure that she stayed warm rather than having her out & about in the Auckland winter. However, we did go to Playgroup on Thursday morning - which started up again after being closed for school holidays. She enjoyed seeing everyone again, and watching all the other children. On Friday she met some of Dave's cousins, as one of them (Davene) got married and we went along to celebrate and meet her partner, Carol. Saturday evening was spent at a friend's place, watching the All Blacks win, so Lauren has had a couple of late nights, and both times has fallen asleep and been really good. We're off to Ash's parents place tonight for a meal, but routine will start again on Monday.

Monday 17 July 2006

Sorry for the delay in putting up the photos - Lauren has a cold and I wasn't able to get on yesterday - due to looking after Lauren! She's much improved today, but still isn't 100 per cent.

The first photo shows Lauren in her new toy - we've hired it from a shop, and because we're a new customer, it hasn't cost us anything! Lauren loves being in it and really plays with the toys. We have it for 4 weeks, and hopefully by then she'll get bored of it. The other photo was taken at One Tree Hill - Lauren was sitting up by herself - this is the first time we've been able to take a photo of her doing this, although it does look like she's being supported by Dave's legs.

This week Lauren started eating meat - I tried her on tinned baby food first and because it was a success I cooked her some chicken and vegetables and then some beef casserole - all of which she enjoyed. She is eating most things - however she doesn't seem to like bananas - unless my sister gives them to her! Still no sign of teeth yet, so food is either mashed or pureed.

Otherwise things are going well - apart from the cold!

Sunday 9 July 2006

The first photo shows Lauren during the week - she is wearing an outfit given to her by David & Kris (my uncle & aunt).

The second photo shows "Lauren's playroom" - we've decided to use the room, rather than filling it with junk! We've bought a rug and the sofa converts to a bed, and moved Lauren's toys in there. She loves it - plenty of room for her to move around - and Dave & I spent most of today in there - it's really nice! The final two photos were taken in the room today - Dave feeding Lauren whilst lounging on the bean bag, and then Lauren on the bean bag! She managed to manoeuvre herself off the bag and onto the floor, and then moved around the floor. In these photos she's wearing a top given to her by my parents and trousers given to her by Amy & Paul (my family).

This week has been much better with Lauren - she's happy to play by herself and is a joy to be with. She's still not sleeping particularly well - waking twice during the night, but she's eating a lot, so hopefully it won't be long before she goes through. However she's so active, that it's not surprising she's hungry!

Still no sign of teeth, or sitting up, but she moves around the floor very quickly, and I've caught her up on her hands and toes - bum in the air! Dave fed her this weekend and let her use her own spoon - she eventually got the hang of spoon going into the mouth - she just needs to get the food on the spoon now! She makes Dave & I laugh so much and she seems to be constantly smiling, although there is the odd serious face, which is funny too!

Sunday 2 July 2006 - back in NZ

Here are some up to date photos of Lauren! She is now starting to look at the camera, and sometimes she even smiles! The first photo shows her wearing a dress given to her by my parents, and the jacket is from their neighbours, Helen & Mike. The photo of her in her high chair shows her holding her favourite toy of the moment - Little Miss Naughty, given to her by Daphne & Brian.

This week hasn't been the best of weeks - she was waking up throughout the night, and was wanting to play at 4.00am! Needless to say she was falling asleep in the afternoon - as in the picture with me and Kitty! This weekend has been much better - she's back into her routine and has been full of smiles for her daddy. She's also been "talking" away, and I wonder if she'll ever shut up!

She is now eating her meals in her highchair - although the first few times she was more interested in the noises her fingers make against the top! We bought her a couple of new toys yesterday, which she played with today, and seems to enjoy - she picks things up really quickly and if she does something by accident, the second and third time is definitely on purpose! Dave saw her rolling from front to back (& back again) today, and he said that he thinks she was trying to crawl - I hope not! Apparently she was on her front and was moving her hips forwards, one side at a time, and edging slowly over the floor. I have a feeling that once she starts moving then she's going to be gone!

It's lovely to be home, and we've just about adjusted to the colder weather - still at least it's been sunshine and blue skies.