In Bournemouth

Helen at the Cottrell's
Originally uploaded by Munzerr

At the moment we're staying at the Cottrell (Sr.) house in sunny Bournemouth; enjoying a (very) long weekend, after the wedding of Helen's brother Matt to his new bride, Hannah. It's been great fun, hanging out with Helen's extended family, and yesterday we visited the beach with Linda, Richard and the kids, had a BBQ with Alan and Katie, and then visited Wendy and Royce in the evening. Despite the continued discomfort of hayfever, I've really enjoyed the chance to be in the sunshine, and kick back a little.

Cara has been having lots of fun, too. She seemed a little cautious about going in the sea, and was wary of the big kids splashing at the paddling pool, but she loved playing in Alan and Katie's back yard, and got so tired that she started falling over and bumping into things. She loves playing with her 7 cousins, especially Martha, who she enjoys swapping dummies with.

We'll be in Bournemouth for another day, and then will spend Wednesday at 'Bird Land' near Cheltenham with the Cooks, before heading home. What a great way to welcome in Summer!

Enjoying the Swings

Enjoying the Swings, Mummy and Cara, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

Cara has really started to love the swings! This face says it all.

Fun in April 2008

Just a few clips of the fun we've had this past month.

Hey Little Girl

Hey Little Girl, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

What a great photo! Isn't she gorgeous. We went shopping today to get Cara's feet properly measured, and bought her some lovely new shoes. She is a size 3, width G, but that could all change soon, let's hope she gets to wear her pretty pink shoes for a while.

She's been walking by herself a little more today, it's so lovely having her walk with us. She's always got lots of smiles from strangers, but today she was so cute walking holding onto Mummy and Daddy's hands that this old man just smiled so much, it was lovely.

Cara Walks Outside! At the Zoo!

Cara Walks Outside!
Originally uploaded by Munzerr

We had a lovely day out on Saturday - down at the Bristol Zoo! We put Cara's little shoes on her for the first time, and she was walking about all over the place - with a little help from Mum and Dad, of course. Cara looks so big, when she's walking about. It's amazing what a difference it makes, to see her up on her legs.

We'd recommend Bristol Zoo to anyone, especially while there's the 'buy one, get one free' offer on with Corn Flakes! There aren't a lot of big animals, compared to larger zoos, but there are some amazing fish, smaller animals, and birds. We are all amazed!

Cara Walks Outside!

Cara Walks Outside!, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

We had a great day at the zoo all together, and Cara did so much walking! She still wanted to be crawling, but if you hold her hand she'll walk and walk and walk.

She can walk on her own, but only really does that if she's really excited to get somewhere or has something in her hands already.

She is such a clever girl, it was so much fun to be with her. She absolutely loved standing right by the glass and seeing the fish or seal, or penguins swim by.

It was such a lovely sunny day too - I hope we get more of those.

1st Birthday

1st Birthday, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

One today, I can't believe it. We celebrated Cara's birthday yesterday with lots of family. Cara had lots of fun, especially with the balloons, but also with her new toys.

It has been a really special year for us all as a family. What a wonderful daughter you are, Cara. You are so happy, and fun to be around. I love you so much.

First Christmas Moment

Cara's First Christmas Moment, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

What a great expression for her first Christmas moment. What a cutie! We all enjoyed a lovely Christmas at Nan and Grampi's house. Lots of presents, food and fun.

Happy December

Mmm... Milk Chocolate!
Originally uploaded by Munzerr

It's the most... wonderful time... of the year! Happy Christmas to all our family and friends- it's really exciting to be thinking about Christmas - the first Christmas for Cara, outside of the womb! She doesn't seem all too excited yet, but I have a feeling that she'll really like the little fairy lights that we'll get out next week. We'll have to see how we can stop her from eating the tree, too!

It's come around really quickly, but I think it's going to be a memorable one. It's a great time of year to take stock, to do some kind things for those around us; to make contact with those people who we've been meaning to call for a while... Happy Christmas, everyone! Not long to go, now!

10 months old today!

Cara had her check-up with the Health Visitor today. The '8' month check. The Health Visitor commented on how good she was, that she has a good attention span, is sociable and happy. We just chatted to make sure everything is OK, and collected our BookStart books.

Measurements were also taken:

Weight: 8.68kg or 19lb 2oz (little below average)
Length: 72cm (little taller than average)
Head Circumference: 46cm (little larger than average)

Cara is perfect!

Cara's first drawing

Cara's first drawing, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

We thought we'd see what happened when we gave Cara a crayon. This is it. She wanted to put it in her mouth more than scribble on the paper. When she did make a mark, it was from banging the crayon on the paper. I'm sure, given time she'll improve. We just thought that we would commemorate this special occasion - Cara's first drawing!

And she's up!

Nine Months Old, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

Cara is not only crawling, but able to pull herself up to kneeling as in this photo, or indeed standing. She's still not too steady when she gets there, so Mummy and Daddy have to be more watchful, as there are a lot of things she could bang her head on. She is so adorable!

Eating

Bday-8, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

As you can see Cara is liking eating, and especially likes the food that Mummy and Daddy are eating.

She still prefers fruit, yogurt and rice cakes to anything meaty - but at least she eats some savory things.

Cara almost crawling

Cara almost crawling, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

Well.. she has the crawling stance..

I think she secretly can crawl though. Whenever I re-enter the room, I see her move from the crawling position to laying out flat. She moves all over the place in her cot, when I'm not watching, but when I'm around all she does is stretch to get to things.

Poking out her tongue

Poking out her tongue, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

Tried to snap a photo of Cara's newest talent - poking out her tongue. She also has one bottom tooth poking through her bottom gum - and the top two, and other one at the bottom are definitely close.

A Day for Swimming

The last time Helen and I went swimming together was on our honeymoon, in Oberstaufen, south Germany. Today was with our little girl, Cara. It was really fun to be able to take her into the water, and have her discover that. She's never been one for splashing - not even in the bath - but towards the end of our time there today, she was having a great time, laughing as she splashed the water with her little hands.

Plus, for me (!) - it's really a fun experience to be in the water. I found myself loving the flumes, and enjoying doing a couple of lengths in the adult pool, too. We came away saying that we'll definitely have to go more often. I think now we've all been together, and I got to be there for the first time, Helen won't mind taking Cara on her own, when I'm at work. We're lucky to hve pools all around us in Bristol!

Incidentally, today is Cara's six month birthday. She's now a six month old. That's an amazing thought. I'm so proud of her. Whenever I look at her, and see her sitting up, or smiling at us, or discovering something new... I'm so glad she's a part of my life. I wouldn't swap her for anything - our family is three! Cara is a big part of all the fun we have together, wherever we are.

Flexible Cara

Flexible Cara, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

The baby yoga must be paying off.

Happy First Father's Day

Happy First Father's Day, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

It was Daddy's first Father's Day this year. Cara got to be there for it, any brothers and sisters don't get to be there for the first - so it was very special.

Mummy helped Cara to make Daddy breakfast in bed, to get a present - a Wii stering wheel and to make a card. This is the poem on the card:

I'm your little baby girl,
Your little schnuckems pie.

I wanna say 'I love you!'
I really, try and try.

Hmm! I'm just too little,
But one day I wont be!

Then I'll say I love you,
and you'll say you love ME!

Cara the Ballerina

Cara did some dancing today. Helen ordered one of those great doorway bouncers for her, and she's really been loving it. As you can see. She bounces back and forth, and smiles and smiles. Just one of her latest tricks!

First Trip to London Temple

A Shady Baby, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

It was Cara's first trip to London Temple, and it was sunny. It was Bristol Stake RS Temple Day, so Cara stayed with Daddy while Mummy went in the Temple.

Daddy let Cara play with other children in Visitors Centre - that was fun, and then when Mummy and Nancy came out we all had a picnic lunch together before the journey home.