Monday 29 January 2007 - Auckland Anniversary Day

Today is Auckland Anniversary Day, so we took Lauren to the beach this morning. Although it wasn't particularly sunny, it was still warm. Lauren loved running around and giggled when her feet went into the water. The photo of her running into our kitchen was also taken this morning - she is wearing a cute dress given to her by her Auntie Paulette.

Lauren has finally started getting her bike out by herself and playing with it - she was riding it all over the deck, although she still needs a bit of practice with the steering!

Lauren's bottom fourth tooth came through last week - so she should start to look less lop-sided now! She is just walking whenever she can, and is starting to want to become more independent by walking without holding onto my hand! She's a giggler and smiles at everyone. She is starting to point to everything and is into everything! She's very good in the kitchen and will open "her cupboards" and play with the unbreakable stuff in them - although she's looked in the other cupboards, she's content to just play with the stuff in her ones - I wonder how long this will last though!

Sunday 21 January 2007

Photos all taken this week - the first one was taken today, after Ronnie's kitchen tea to celebrate her upcoming wedding. Mum & Dad gave Lauren this dress and everyone commented on how lovely it is and that it obviously didn't come from New Zealand!

The next photo is a typical one of Lauren - her being cheeky! She is wearing jeans given to her by Dave's sister Paulette, and a t-shirt that I'd bought for her in England (from Next, of course!).

The next photo shows Lauren in action around the deck - she just loves walking quickly around it and doesn't fall over too much! She's content to walk around and around it, terrorizing Kitty and whoever else gets in her way!

The final photo was taken yesterday - mum and dad sent her the top, which is another lovely one from Monsoon. She actually started kicking the ball around, and I was amazed at how co-ordinated she is. Mind you, anything using her feet she seems good at, and it's probably hard for her to miss touching the ball with her large feet!

This week Lauren has just wanted to walk - we've been out & about and trying to get her to walk a lot, which she has loved. She's had a few unsettled nights and I think this is due to some more teeth coming through.

Sunday 14 January 2007

The first photo was taken yesterday - we've borrowed the swing from Craig, Trish & Izzy and Lauren loves it. She giggles non stop, and at least if it's raining then there's something inside that can occupy her for a while (it's very humid here at the moment, and has been constantly drizzling - not pleasant).

The next photo shows Lauren leading Daphne for a walk - as per usual! Daphne & Brian left on Thursday to return to the UK's winter - Lauren loved having them to play with her, and I'm sure she's missing them, as she's wondered into their room several times looking for them. However today Lauren started walking properly by herself - not just the odd step. She was walking around the house, and then around the deck - lots of steps!

Before they left, Daphne & Brian bought Lauren the yellow trolley to push around - guess it was easier than cutting off Brian's finger! Lauren's Auntie Paulette gave Lauren the monkey as a Christmas present and Lauren loves pushing it around. Because the monkey is soft, she also loves giving it hugs! In this photo Lauren is wearing a top given to her by her other auntie - my sister, Jane - I love this top as Lauren always looks cool in it, even at the moment when it's so hot! The final photo shows Lauren and Dave playing with the water in her pool - trying to keep her entertained.

So now it's back to reality - Daphne & Brian are back in the UK, Dave is back at work and Lauren has just me! Still it's only a few more weeks and playgroup starts up again, and Lauren has changed so much over the past few weeks, that I'm sure she'll be doing a whole heap of new things before then! She is just trying to copy what we say and do, which can be quite cute!

Sunday 7 January 2007 - Happy New Year

The first two photos were taken today - we went to Victoria Park Market, before heading to the Viaduct (The Loaded Hog) for a drink (or two) and then headed home, stopping at Mt Eden en route. As you can see Lauren has got Brian under her control again! Lauren wore Daphne's necklace all day - even in the bath this evening! She loves rattling it - it makes a lovely noise! The bottom photo was taken at the beach on 2 January - Lauren is wearing a cute outfit given to her by Daphne & Brian.

Lauren is still holding on whilst walking, but she is comfortable holding just a finger, and gets quite frustrated if you want to let go before she does. She is a real giggler at times, and even if she's crying, she can always be distracted by the game of 'boo' - which is a real favourite.