Happy Christening Archie and George!

NCT babies Archie and George were both christened at St Andrew's church in Earlsfield today. Well done boys! Archie hosted drinks at his home this afternoon to celebrate. Some photos are above, the featured babies are Archie, Ellie and Daisy.

Andy returned from the stag weekend this afternoon slightly worse for wear but in one piece. He was actually in better shape than Daisy sore teeth and mummy no sleep!

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On the menu today...

Baby rice! It was a big day for Daisy today. Not only did she get her second tooth, she had her first solids. As can be seen from above, things got messier by the minute. Her initial response of 'what the hell are you trying to do' was quickly replaced by intrigue and even a little excitement. She hated the spoon but once the food was on her lips she was happy to lick it off. The small amount she managed to swallow was thrown up shortly afterwards but it wasn't a bad start all in all.

We've had a chilled out day today. A morning excursion to the swings then afternoon coffee at Cafe Nero followed by a walk to Wandsworth Common. Much more wholesome than what Andy is getting up to on the stag weekend I suspect!

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Mmmm, cereal

As of yesterday Daisy is a big six month old which means she is now a full time bottle baby. She was quite miffed about it on the first day but a bit better today. I'm sure by tomorrow she'll forget there was ever anything other than the bottle.

She is starting on solids tomorrow and baby rice is on the menu first. After that is vegetables and fruit so I've been busy steaming and pureeing in preparation. How exciting! As you can see from the photo above, food fascinates the little girl. Whenever anyone is eating she watches like a hawk and is accomplished in the art of the lunge and grab when she thinks she might be able to get her hands on anything.

Last night I had a good night out with Carlene at Niksons on Northcote Road. We drunk lots of wine and I celebrated the end of breast feeding by eating peanuts. Hurrah! I haven't eaten them since I found out I was pregnant so it was rather exciting for me.

Today we met Grandma Julia at Starbucks then we did the usual Friday Northcote Road shopping. Andy is in Brighton for the weekend on a stag so Julia is staying to keep us company. And hopefully keep Daisy amused!

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Movie time

In order to beat the heat for a couple of hours this morning we went to the Clapham Picture House to see The Break Up. It was good although it must have sucked for Jen to be making it whilst getting dumped for Angelina Trout Pout. Go Team Aniston!

I've now got a very hot grumpy baby on my hands. Oh dear. Better get Britney on and start dancing....

The photo above is Daisy hanging out with the grandparents at the weekend.

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Geranium girl

In keeping with her name, Daisy loves picking flowers. Especially pretty pink ones!

Grandma Madge and Granddad Bob babysat on Saturday night and we had a great night out for Carlene's birthday. We had a lovely dinner at Inn the Park in St James Park then had a fun time at a casino. I was far too busy chatting to girls to get any gambling done but Andy was very pleased with his £40 of winnings. High roller! It was Cath and Hame's last night in London so it was very sad to say goodbye to them.

On Sunday no sooner had we waved one set of grandparents off, another one swooped in as we spent the afternoon with Grandma Julia. Lucky Daisy, three grandparents in one day!

We had yoga then lunch at the pub on both Monday and Tuesday this week. I ache! Today we went shopping and Daisy had her passport photos done. After that, we went to the one o'clock club for painting, paddling and playing then we did the obligatory trip to the swings.

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Playing the baby blues

I'm not complaining but it is SO hot! Daisy is being a little trooper in the heat although it makes her a bit restless at night. Much like the rest of us. It was 33 degrees in her room when she went to bed last night. Phooey. There was an overnight storm but luckily she slept through the thunder and lightening.

We went to Northcote Road yesterday for lunch and a bit of shopping. New dress! New handbag! The joy, the joy! Daisy is enjoying all the extra attention as a result of Grandma Madge and Granddad Bob being here. Her cold has nearly cleared up although she is still a bit snuffly.

Today we've been to Cafe Nero for coffee then Daisy went on the swings. She's also enjoyed a bit of a jam session on the guitar. She seems to like the plinky plinky noise so I think I'll get her a little keyboard. Andy has said no to some baby drums though. Boo!

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High jinx

As Daisy will be a big six month old next week and starting solids she has a new high chair. It has an all singing dancing toy tray to keep her amused while waiting for her food plus attached toys that she can't throw on the ground no matter how hard she tries. Genius! She has been having her bottles sitting in it which has gone well.

We had a good afternoon at the one o'clock club today. Daisy did her first painting which was fun. We both got a bit messy, particulary when she decided to go for a bit of brush in each hand action. We spent quite a while in the sensory room in air conditioned bliss then went to the park for a swing. Grandma Madge and Granddad Bob met us there as they are down for the weekend.

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Snot box

Daisy has a cold which isn't very nice. She's been quite unwell although perked up a bit yesterday. Sunday night was grim, I was up once or twice an hour with her throughout the night, poor little thing. She's being very brave though and has worked out that the best solution for a runny nose is to wipe it on my shoulder. Yuck! She also seems to have another tooth trying to push through and we are having a bit of a heatwave so all in all she's finding it a bit tough. It's meant to be 36 degress today. Yikes!

On Monday we had a visit from Duncan (a friend from uni) which was very nice. Yesterday we had a good (but hot) yoga session then cooled down with a lovely few hours in the pub.

The pictures above are from the park on Sunday. Check out that motobike style. Vroom vroom!

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Toast NZ

We had a great time at Toast NZ in Regent's Park yesterday. Unfortunately Daisy found the heat, noise and teems of people a bit much so she didn't have such a good time although she lasted until 5pm. As soon as we left and it was quieter she perked up a bit and I've never seen her so relieved to get home! Her little gums seem to be giving her trouble too as she woke crying twice in the night. On the plus side, she was so worn out that she slept until 7.45am this morning. Hurrah!

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Swingtastic

Daisy loves the swings so we go on them most days. Here is a sequence from this afternoon in Garratt Park. Before the swings we went to the One O'Clock Club again. Daisy seems to enjoy interacting with the other babies and kids. Although there were a few tears today when she got smacked in the face by a big ten month old. Oh no! It was an accident so she was soon smiling and playing with the other little girl again.

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One O'Clock Club

I'm knackered. Woe! Daisy's foot banging in her sleep is resulting in not much sleep for me although she happily snoozes through the noise. As does Andy. Lucky for some!

Quick round up. Cath and Hame's party on Saturday night was great. We had another really good NCT yoga session yesterday and today we went out for lunch then took the babies to the One O'Clock Club at Garratt Park. It has loads of great things for little ones to do. In particular they all loved the sensory room. Daisy was nearly beside herself with glee. It's low light with soothing music playing and has lots of coloured lights and mirrors and nice thing to touch and rattle. Obviously, everything goes straight in the mouth. There is also a heated water mattress for them to lie on and rock and a corner walled off that is lit from below and filled with plastic balls for them to sink in to. Twinkling fibre optics trail on it from above and Daisy had a great time in it trying to lick all the balls. Yuck. In the main room there are lots of paints and crayons and loads of great toys. Outside, there is a play area and paddling pool on hot days. Baby heaven. And not too bad for mummies either.

Above is Daisy almost showing off her new tooth. The photo was taken on Sunday and the tooth is already through much more. She's not the only baby on the block with a new tooth though. Rafferty had his first through today. Well done Rafferty!

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New Zealand 32 - 12 Australia

Daisy is looking very pleased with the All Blacks storming win over the Wallabies in this morning's Tri-Nations opener. She would very much have liked to be wearing an AB's top but the smallest size we have found over here is a child's age 8. Note to kiwi uncles, she wears a size 12-18mnths rugby jersey.

We don't have anything planned for today but tonight Grandma Julia is babysitting and we are off to Cath and Hame's going away/Hame's 30th party in Shepherds Bush. Yay!

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Yoga

We did a yoga class today with the NCT girls and babies. Daisy was happy to lie on my mat and watch me do all the hard work but Archie got right in to it and pulled a few moves. It was really fun so we are all going to book a course. I haven't done any yoga for well over a year so it was hard work!

After yoga we went to the pub for lunch. Because we've been away I hadn't seen the other babies for two weeks and they have all grown so much! George and Elie are now on solids and George impressed us all by gobbling down his lunch, no fuss or mess.

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Ahoy!

It's properly scorchio again so we got Daisy a paddling pool to beat the heat. She had her first dip yesterday and really enjoyed it. Ness, Bob and Dave were around for a bbq so she enjoyed all the attention also!

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England 0 - 0 Portugal

But Portugal won 3-1 on penalties. Bugger. Still, it wasn't a bad effort with Beckham, Owen and Rooney all off the pitch.

Here is a photo of Daisy and Flob in Guernsey. Back in the day when England's World Cup hopes were still alive.

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First tooth!

Daisy got her first tooth today! There is a little jagged white edge poking through her gum in the middle at the bottom. She let the world know of it's arrival by biting Grandma Julia. Her gum has been getting harder and whiter for the past few weeks and she's been dribbling for England but we had no idea it was so imminent as she hasn't been upset or seemed sore. What a good baby! Let's hope England trounce Portugal this afternoon in the footy and it can be a double celebration.

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