A WEEK OF FIRSTS....

This week was one of firsts for the little girl who turns ½ next week.

On Monday, she had her first driving lesson…

Perhaps she could teach her Mum a thing or two…

She’s not afraid to blast the horn when necessary...

But sleeping behind the wheel certainly isn’t acceptable…

On Tuesday, our baby worked out how to stick her feet in her mouth (well her big toe anyway). So far, her Dad is the only one to have witnessed this impressive talent, as it took place in the bath during their nightly “good night” routine. And despite the many, many, attempts her Mum has made to encourage a repeat performance, I am yet to capture it on camera. So here she is, just looking cute...

Then, on Wednesday, our baby finally completed a much anticipated event – she rolled over. With her Dad working late, I was walking up and down the stairs with my ironing (life in the fast lane), and there I was, half way up the stairs, when I just knew she was about to do something amazing. Then, it happened, she rolled from her back, to her side and then onto her tummy, to end up resting on her hands, head and neck straight up in the air. With all the excitement, (i.e. me, running around the house screaming, clapping and generally going wild) I forgot to take a picture. Kaitlyn found the whole thing very amusing, and has since shown off her new trick to Nan. I have taken about a thousand photos when she looks even remotely close to doing it again, but as yet, no luck.

At least I managed to get one of her firsts on film this week – Kaitlyn attending her first birthday party. Lucas Nasr, who seems to look more and more like his Dad every day (just when you think it isn’t possible to), had a party today for his second birthday.

Kaitlyn had a brilliant time playing in the ball pit; mind you, she was more interested in watching the other kids bounce around than doing anything herself. I also had her on the jumping slide and as she stood on her little legs, I could swear she thinks she is older than her 6 months of age.

Happy birthday to the gorgeous Lucas, who surely has one of the best Mum’s in the world.

Kaitlyn and I thoroughly enjoyed our day, and look forward to celebrating many more with you.

Finally, I had to share some of the pictures of Kaitlyn in her Jolly Jumper. It took a couple of turns in there, but she has finally figured out what she needs to do to “jump.”

Still, we did manage to confuse her, by putting on the little booties that come along with the set. The idea is, they rattle when she jumps, (as if the actual jumping isn’t exciting enough). Kaitlyn however, was completely bedazzled by them - enough to stop moving altogether and stare down at her feet. Her Dad and I found it absolutely hilarious, perhaps because no matter how hard we tried, we couldn’t get her to break her stare on the boots.

Not for love, nor money…

And every now and then, the jumper brings out her Dr Evil impression...

Next week, 6 month immunisations and a report from Kaitlyn’s first Eels game…

GIGGLES IN BIRMINGHAM

As we were working through the video taken during the trip, I just had to upload this one.

Kaitlyn was giggling like mad at Carol, who is, I'll admit, very funny, but maybe not this funny...

Watch out for some nice cameo appearances by Great Grandma De and Maureen Rochford.

SETTLING BACK HOME...

It’s starting to feel as though we were never away – it doesn’t take long to settle into the same old routine. It only took a matter of days for Kaitlyn to sleep away her jet lag…

Thankfully she has returned to sleeping through the night, and giving me a much needed chance to catch up on my sleep.

She is very much missing her adopted family, especially Carol and Connor who devoted many hours encouraging her to roll – a feat she is yet to achieve.

Kaitlyn is now loving solids, and at this point is up to three meals a day. She sits in her little bumbo chair for most feeds (except for when I am feeling like a cuddle) and is usually so desperate for the next spoonful, she let’s out a little cry while I am in refill mode.

(Patiently waiting...)

And when she is full up, she let’s me know, by doing her best impression of, “I’ve had enough and I’m outta here.”

Over the weekend, we caught up with Kym, Tim and Dylan following our trip away. Dylan seems to be getting more gorgeous every time we see him, and he seems to find new ways to make us laugh all the time. I did my best to capture a photo of the two together, and while Kaitlyn could quite happily slobber all over him, Dylan was not too keen at all.

Meanwhile it was difficult to sometimes work out who the children were with Ash and Tim playing the Wii.

At least Kym took her role as aunt/godmother a little more seriously…

This week, Kaitlyn, Nan and I caught up with Daniela and Enrique for lunch. Enrique is now eight months old, and such a delightful little baby. He was happy to sit and play with his toys without so much as a word – well that is, except for the occasional “Papa” (much to his Mum’s disappointment).

Kaitlyn, meanwhile was not satisfied enough to have a lie down and a play, instead, she rolled over (only halfway, always halfway) toward Enrique and did her best to give his little foot a chew.

If it wasn’t that, she was snatching toys out of his hands – toys he owned mind you! To put it nicely, she is determined and strong, to put it another way she is cheeky and greedy. Once she sees something, she HAS to have it and put it in her mouth.

("Mmmm, looks good")

Next week, we look forward to Kaitlyn’s first ever Eels game, and attending her first birthday party for little Lucas Nasr who turns 2!

KAITLYN'S BIG TRIP...

We are back!!

After a long journey the Parmenter family have returned home after possibly their best holiday to the UK.

For a little baby, Kaitlyn handled the two 21 hour flights remarkably well, and while she didn’t do a lot of sleeping, she was manageable for the most part.

We all enjoyed such a terrific time, spending two weeks in Birmingham with the Rochfords and Morans and a week in Edinburgh, catching up with Ash’s parents (who themselves are enjoying a 12 week holiday).

So many of our family generously gave of their time, taking us out and about, but none more so than Carol, Tom, Sam and Connor who put up with living with our family 24/7. Carol and co had a lot to contend with, making room for not only Ash and I, but also a four month old baby. Yet they made us feel so welcome, so part of the family, that it was very difficult to leave.

In the two weeks we spent in their home I learnt more about football (not soccer) than anyone could possibly learn in a lifetime. Just a shame Ash turned out to be a jinx to the Villa; Sam and Connor were counting the days till he got back on the plane to Australia!

A highlight of our holiday was definitely watching Kaitlyn’s great grandmas spend time with her. To have four generations in the one family is such a special occasion, and it was terrific to have captured the moment on film.

So here is my photo montage, it get’s me out of preparing a long blog entry as I have so still to unpack and organise!

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