Lake District

We went to the Lake District last weekend as a kind of trial run for a wedding we're attending there in October. (Jen's a bridesmaid and had to go to be measured for her dress).

Stayed in a place called Stainton which is between Ullswater and Penrith.

We weren't really sure how it would go given Abigail has only just gone 7 weeks and it would be her first time away from home, but as it turned out everything was fine. She slept through the journey both ways, and thankfully didn't manage to keep the other guests in the hotel awake as she slept all night!

I guess the only thing we weren't fully prepared for was the amount of luggage a baby needs! We remembered everything but if we'd had one other passenger other than the 3 of us we'd defintely have needed a bigger car. Think the hotel receptionist thought I was nuts with the amount of trips I had to make to the car to empty it.

Best of all, the weather this weekend was better than it was for my whole 3 weeks paternity leave so we lapped it up!
Just need to hope that the actual wedding goes as well now....

Certified

Our Health Visitor seemed big in to all modern baby techniques and was qualified to run the Baby Massage classes. Jen decided to give it a try and although Abigail was the youngest baby they've had there, she seemed to find it worth while. Anyway as ridiculous as it seems, Abigail has her first certificate!

Abbie's development is still spot on - literally as you can see from her baby growth chart, which tracks weight against age. Most recent measurement was at 7 weeks when she weighed 10lb 9oz (+3lb since birth).

She's still sleeping like a dream (probably wrong choice of words there?), in that she sleeps from approx 9.30pm - 8.00 straight through with only one feed in between. Even then she goes straight back down after the feed. I know, I know her sleep pattern is unlikely to stay this good but for now we're trying to make the most of it by getting out and about whilst we're still relatively refreshed!

5 Weeks

Abbie is now 5 weeks old and it feels like she's been here forever!


The photo's were getting out of control in the original Flickr set so I've set up a 'Collection', which is basically a collection a sets.

At this point we would like to thank everyone for all of the cards and gifts. People warned us about how much stuff you get but we were still blown away by how many outfits Abigail has ended up with! And as for cards, - all I can say is there must be a canny bit of money to be made from selling 'New Baby' cards!!

Abbie was weighed again yesterday and is now a bouncing 9lb9oz, which is a gain of 2lb since birth and 1lb1oz in 2 weeks. Good stuff in that milk by all accounts!


Finally here's another video. The previously mentioned swing only seems to serve to put her to sleep so we felt she needs something to keep her entertained when at her most active, - hence her first Baby Gym. She loves it, but our dog and cats really don't know what to make of her on it! (Video was taken 2 weeks ago).

:o)

:o)
Originally uploaded by Beebop Alula

Abbie started smiling last week, and it's still early days so every one is like a little event! You dismiss the first one as "it'll just be wind", but they become unmistakable after a while. Jen just sent me this pic via MMS, - too cute!

Spooky

Strange coincidence that I used the title 'Girl Power' in a Blog post the day before the Spice Girls announced that they are reforming...!!

Girl Power

Took Abigail to get weighed again today and she's now up to 8lb 7oz and still gaining weight perfectly.

Ross and Pinar came round later in the day with Amber, who although is only 6 weeks older than Abigail - she made her seem tiny...! Probably best illustrated with this picture.

Amber is now 10lb 15oz and changes so much each time we see her.

(Prior to the photo being taken it turned to fisticuffs, so they were seperated and I took the photo as Abigial was in the middle of her Maori Haka routine, which Amber seemed to be finding hillarious!!)

Honda wouldn't get a look in

Remember that Honda advert from a few years ago with the various car parts all laid out in a room and performing a chain of events which finishes with a car rolling off the ramps? - Well they're apparently known as Rube Goldberg Machines, and I challenge you to find a better one than this....!!
You can't help but smile as you watch the video, whilst at the same time thinking "how the hell can they be bothered?"!!