Full days and a full heart

Our house has been busy with family these past few weeks. First my Dad and then Mr. Fox's Mum and partner. Cublet has been in her element; the social creature that she is. Happiest when chatting to someone in that sweet, loud voice. Our cheerful girl. What a joy it is to see the relationships grow deeper between her and her beloved Grandparents.

Still a little under the weather when her Poppa visited she played quietly. Grabbing noses, inspecting teeth and knocking down towers of blocks. She adores her Poppa and he her. We stayed close to home only venturing out for a delicious lunch. A quiet and restorative weekend that we all needed. It is a shame that we live at opposite ends of the country. There are a couple of visits planned for the rest of the year which make the distance easier.

Grandma Ann and Grandad Kevin recently left after a lovely week. Mae was feeling well and just loved being in their company. Much squealing, babbling and fun was had. Keen to show them her crawling and climbing skills, a little less keen to sit still for cuddles unless very sleepy. Oh my wild child. We shared a family meal with Emma and Roman at a Thai restaurant, one of those evenings where everything seems just so right in the moment. Surrounded by people you love, a baby delighting in catching smiles from the waiters and the air heavy with lemongrass and chilli.

Enjoying the tractor at Boric Food Market

Miss Mae Molly Ann is ten months old. Her gums are swollen and red where her two top teeth are poking through. Her bottom teeth are just about to erupt have cut through. It must be very sore getting four at once but she seems to be taking it in her stride.  We have survived her first earache and consequently her first round of antibiotics. There is wispy blonde (?strawberry blonde) hair finally growing. It is utterly adorable when fuzzy from the bath and messed up after a nap. Cublet is tiny, just cruising along the 2nd percentile for girls on the Plunket chart. She is yet to crack the seven kilogram mark. Our wee hummingbird...busy as can be and pocket sized.

The playpen barricades off the kitchen and a plug near the door. Cublet is on the move, army crawling with her right arm and left foot. She is able to get up on her hands and knees but seems to prefer the speed of her modified tummy drag. Not content to play in the lounge she explores the house, sometimes following from room to room but more likely to be scooting as fast as she can toward the cat food bowl! She sits own her own with ease and can pull herself to standing on furniture. Her nose crinkles when she scrunches it up to smile. Eyes twinkle with mischief. Her favourite foods are Weetbix, Sweet Potato and vegetable soup.

A birthday cake for my guy

 At the pool she closes her eyes on the count of three to be dunked under water. She can kick her little legs and thoroughly enjoys her weekly swimming sessions. In the bath, water is splashed with great gusto and her first shower last week was a hit. This summer will hopefully bring many days spent at the seaside. Oh how my Mum would love this girl.

Waiting on the bath to fill

Lily the cat and Mae are beginning to interact more. Lily remains unimpressed by the now mobile baby although does tolerate the odd rough pat  hair pulling. At times they almost play together; Mae chasing Lily as fast as she can and Lily bolting past as close as she dares. Finding a safe hiding place is getting tougher for our poor cat and she spends much of the day finding reprieve on our bed.

Invites to Cublet's first birthday celebration were sent out weeks ago; ridiculously early as we knew these coming months were going to be very busy indeed. It is with mixed feelings we approach her birthday. How can it be that our little one is going to one? The months go so fast and the change is immense from newborn to a twelve month old. Cliche but it really does feel like only a few weeks ago that we brought her home from hospital. We have a bunch of family and friends coming to celebrate with us. Thus far I am enjoying planning a simple little afternoon. Hopefully with a Mummy made cake and sunny weather.