Sunday 26 November 2006

Some photos taken this week - although not actually in the order they were taken!

Whilst Dave & I were trying to clear up on Saturday morning prior to the party, Lauren decided to hit her feet on a sooty chimney brick - so we grabbed a piece of paper and made the imprint. However, we doubt that it will stay, so took a photo and added the ruler - her feet are 11cm long (in case you can't read the ruler!)

The photo of Lauren in the bath was taken this evening - she is playing with her birthday present from Charly & Greg - it's a cool plastic Winnie the Pooh boat that floats and has lots of bits to keep her little fingers occupied. However, not long after taking the picture, Lauren returned to her favourite "play thing" which is the plug, and pulled it out, so she only had a quick bath tonight!

The photo of her in an orange t-shirt was taken on Wednesday at the local park (One Tree Hill), where Auckland Council have been holding an activity event for under 5s - all different tasks for them to do - most of them are too advance for Lauren, but she plays peek-a-boo with the yellow cones.

The bottom two photos were taken at Lauren's party - the cake is pretty obvious - it caused me heaps of stress whilst making it Saturday morning, but everyone was very kind and said it looked fine and tasted good, which was the main thing! It was an orange cake and when the icing on the sides started falling off, I stuck marshmellows on it! The brown bits on the top are chocolate drops! The other photo shows Lauren in a shell which her Auntie Paulette & Uncle Julz had given her - there are actually two shells - one of which will be filled with sand and the other will be the lid, or filled with water for her to play in. As you can see, we filled it with the rest of her presents!

Lauren's party seemed to be a success - I spent most of the time rushing around, and it wasn't until later when Lauren was in bed that I managed to sit down - by which time most of our friends had left! None of us can believe that Lauren is already a year old - she has really grown up and seems to change daily. She's trying to copy words that Dave & I say - "gga gga" is her version of "good girl" and is only said after we say it to her. She is also aware now that when her toys roll under the couch they haven't disappeared, and she tries to get them back. She now has 3 top teeth and 3 bottom teeth, and generally is very happy and smiley. She gets frustrated when things don't go her way - especially with the walking/crawling - she wants to walk holding onto my fingers, which I'm trying to discourage a bit! She knows when she's had enough food - the rest gets tipped onto the floor! She's starting to exert her independence, which is really lovely to see and I'm try to laugh and smile rather than get frustrated! Dave & I feel very lucky to know Lauren and to be her parents.

Thursday 23 November 2006 - One Year Old Today

Some photos take today - Lauren's first birthday.

Dave & I took Lauren to the park this afternoon - she loves being on the swing. As you can see the weather is wonderful today - hopefully it will remain like this on Saturday for her birthday party. The other photo is Lauren this morning, after we'd opened her presents - she loved the elephant rattle from Paul & Amy, and the doll from my parents.

This morning we went to playgroup, where Lauren sat on a chair and had morning tea with the other children - she was so pleased to be included in the group and smiled non-stop! However, once she'd had enough, she assumed everyone else had too, and started dropping their food on the floor - her theory is if you don't want something, it belongs on the floor behind her!

Sunday 19 November 2006

The coloured photo was taken today - Lauren was given this activity table by a friend. It's perfect for her to stand up at and play with - however it's a bit light, and so she ends up pushing it around the house if she leans too much on it!

The other 3 photos were taken at the photo shoot, as mentioned last week. We were only given proofs, so the quality isn't brilliant, but at least you can see how cute she looks!

Lauren hasn't been too well over the past week - she's had a snotty nose, which is most unlike her, and has got used to me shoving the Vicks under her nose! However, on Thursday, two of her top teeth came through (the right side) and it looks like the other two are coming through as well - so this is probably why she's been a bit under the weather. She's still standing whenever she can, but no progress has yet been made on the walking. However, she did crawl up the front steps all by herself on Friday, and she's very fast with the crawling. She has started giving me the bits of fluff from the carpet (rather than eating it!), and consequently says "Ta" all the time - or maybe it's just a new sound! She still smiles a lot and is very happy to see Dave, me & Kitty, which is lovely.

So this week Lauren is one - am not too sure where the year has gone, but Dave & I have really enjoyed it - Lauren is very precious and we feel very lucky to have her in our lives. Next week, will hopefully have some photos of her party!

Sunday 12 November 2006

Just a couple of photos taken today - Lauren playing her drum, which as you can see she does correctly, and the other one, just a close up of Lauren - you might be able to make out her third tooth!

Lauren has a cold today, and at the moment is preventing Dave from watching tv - I was hoping to put some other photos up, but will try to do so later in the week, when I have more time. We had some photos taken last weekend, and I picked the proofs up yesterday, and so will try to scan some in for everyone to see. Lauren was a total natural and looks wonderful - or maybe I'm just biased cause I'm her mum!

Yesterday Lauren started standing by herself - Dave was the first one who saw her, and she's been doing it again today - guess the next stage will be her walking. She is becoming more & more independent, and wants to do everything herself - wonder who she takes after?!

Ok - have to rescue Dave & hopefully Lauren will go to sleep!

Sunday 5 November 2006

Various photos taken over the past week - Lauren on a rocking horse, which she loves. James wanting Lauren to stand up and play - he hasn't quite understood that she's not up to running around yet! Lauren riding James' bike in his back yard - he's getting really great at sharing his toys with her. Lauren after a shower with her Daddy and then Lauren playing with a very expensive toy (a $2 dushpan & brush set, which kept her amused for about an hour!) Dave thinks that this last photo isn't very good as you can't see her face - he doesn't understand that that's the point! Luckily she's getting used to wearing hats, although she'd probably prefer it if they weren't as big as this one! The temperature is starting to rise, so I'm having to remember sunscreen and hats all the time.

Lauren's third tooth has now come through - she's got 3 bottom teeth, but still none on the top. She's crawling around very quickly, and loves walking whilst being held up - she's fast and I don't think it will be long before she's off on her own. Mind you, Dave tells me that I'm constantly saying this! She is still a delight to be with, and is usually full of smiles and giggles, especially when Dave comes home from work.