I Like To Move It

There is no stopping you! You know there is a big wide world out there made for exploring and that is exactly what you aim to do. On Tuesday (January 13) we went to the Hamilton Lake for a catch up with our SPACE buddies. Daddy came along and you watched the ducks being feed with Richie and Skyla and had a turn in the big oval swing with Karter. The swing is designed to lie down and relax in but used to your swing at home where you sit upright you were a little confused by this one and were clinging on scared of falling out. Laying on the grass under the shady trees you were moving about doing your commando crawl to find all the leaves that had fallen from the tree above.

The following day you were off. The left hand went forward with the right knee then the right hand and left knee and you started to crawl properly on January 14, 2015. Most of the day you moved about crawling properly occasionally reverting to your tried and trusted commando crawl when you wanted to move really quickly as you are sometimes still a little clumsy crawling with opposite arm to leg. Now you are crawling under the dinning table, through the chair legs and over Daddy or I if we are lying down next to you. You know what gaps your little body can fit through and how to get over small obstacles. 

Another obstacle you discovered were stairs. Visiting Anna with Charlie and little Jack you discovered Danny and Sandra's couple of stairs out of their lounge. Despite never seeing stairs before you navigated your way up onto the first step. Then January 15, we were playing in your bedroom. Your Beatrix Potter box collection was at the base of a butler tray with your nappies and you decided that you wanted to pull yourself up on the books to stand holding onto the leg of the butler tray. When Daddy got home you were playing in the lounge and crawled towards some cords you could see near the TV the cabinet has three levels and from crawling you pulled yourself up so that your hands were on the second level and then brought those knees up and then stood up all by yourself. Standing up holding onto the cabinet for probably ten seconds all on your own. You are still so little that is exciting to see you making progress and discovering out how your little body works but also funny to see you so little and standing up without us giving you any encouragement to stand.

You love music. You like toys that make sounds and so I got the pots and wooden spoons out for your own set of 'drums' the other day. While you have toys to play with you love to crawl over to the ice bucket on the floor by the kitchen unhooking the little shovel off the hook and waving it about hitting it against the tiles or the cupboards and playing with the lid. Being super hot I filled the ice bucket up with ice and cold water and we went outside to explore water stirring it around and tipping it out.
You are your mother's daughter and music was made to dance too. We have loved watching you bop away to the sound of familiar songs but now whenever you hear music or someone sings to you, you start to dance. While having food in your highchair if you aren't that interested I will sing to you and you will dance and smile which means I can sneak some food in. You just love to move and groove and every time you start to groove it starts a family disco.

Seven Months Old

You are on the move! You are crawling around in your commando style but getting faster and faster all the time. While recently doing the vacuuming Daddy was watching you and gave Ava her breakfast. In the time that he read a quick text on his phone you had moved right across the room with your hand in the dog bowl ready for a second breakfast. When you see something in your sights that you like the look of watch out! On Saturday January 3rd you took your first couple of proper crawling steps first Daddy and Grandma spotted you while we were out on a picnic and then later that afternoon at home you did it for me. So we don't think you will be far off putting one hand in front of the other, crawling with the technqiue we all recognise.
We have been over to Whangamata and you tried out your new beach shelter, hooded towel and togs. It was warm but the water was still a little cool. Mummy was too chicken to go for a swim it was too cold but you dipped your toes in the water and even sat in the sand waiting for the waves to come towards you making a splash. Despite being cooler than you are used to at swimming you seemed to enjoy your first experience of swimming at the beach in the sun with the noise of the waves and the texture of sand leaving your cute little footprints behind. Lying on the beach it was amazing how much dried seaweed you were able to uncover in the sand.
Back at home you have been enjoying your other Christmas presents and listening to lots of new stories. It has been warm so a splash in the paddling pool with your new ship toy has been a nice way to cool off. Daddy hopped in with you for the first swim and Ava was keen to jump in too when she wasn't drinking from it thinking it was a giant water bowl. You are enjoying your swing more and more. Each day we head out in the morning after you have woken up and go for a swing and as you swing higher and higher your smiles are getting bigger and bigger becoming more confident with with the rocking, swinging feeling.
Another first is your first bush walk which you loved. The Hakarimata's in Ngaruawahia are close to home and a good walk up lots of steps to reach the top with a great view. I walked up with you sitting in the front pack but instead of facing inwards towards me like you usually do we turned you round to face out and look at all the bush and see those walking in front of us. Daddy was in front and every time he turned around to look at you, you were ear to ear smiling and giggling away, you loved being outdoors and seeing all the different plants in the bush including the massive kauri trees.
Before Aunty Courtney and Uncle Blake went home we went to the Hamilton Rose Gardens for a picnic with them and Grandma and Poppa. We had a picnic down by Turtle Lake and then walked around the different gardens. The morning that they had to go home there were tears. We had just spent a month with Aunty Courtney and Uncle Blake seeing them everyday and it just felt as though that was now normal but sadly it was time for them to head back to work and for us to stay in Hamilton. We are lucky to have Skype and are going to make more of an effort to Skype regularly so that we can all see each other and keep up with your progress, even when we are miles apart.
You have always loved music. At SPACE each week we sing songs, at swimming lessons we sang songs, at wriggle and rhyme we sing songs, at home Daddy and I sing to you and we play your iHeart Kiwi Kids radio station. While we have been travelling you have at times become restless in your car seat wanting to get out and singing you your SPACE song "Hello Olivia, your such a lovely baby, yes we love you," calms you down every time. You have even started bopping along to the songs you know and love.

Your First Christmas

Coming home from Invercargill we came back with Aunty Courtney and Uncle Blake, getting to spend even more time with them. Your grandparents were excited to see you again having missed you over the ten days we were down South. Waking up on December 25 we headed round to Nana and Poppa's for presents and breakfast with Nana, Poppa and Uncle Glen. Uncle Glen brought you a pirate ship with a life raft on board that is green and orange looking just like his jet boat. Poppa and Nana had been busy before Christmas making your present; a brand new swing in our backyard. While we have lots of playgrounds near our house you are now lucky enough to have your very own swing. Heading home after a great morning crawling around in the wrapping paper Grandma, Poppa, Aunty Courtney and Uncle Blake meet us at home for more present time. Aunty Courtney and Uncle Blake brought you a kit to make casts of your tiny little hands and feet reminding us just how small you were in years to come. They also know how much you love books and the game peekaboo that they brought you a pop up peekaboo book along with Pippi Longstockings, a Madeline series and a box set of ten books with DVDs one of which is the story of Rabbit Foo Foo which is Grandma's favourite song to sing you. After opening all your presents we watched the DVD of Rabbit Foo Foo and all had a giggle that, that story of all stories/songs should be in the set. Grandma and Poppa got you a gorgeous little Rabbit Foo Foo to cuddle in bed, a paddling pool and some books too, Giraffes Can't Dance (because you love to dance), a Paddington Bear book with six stories and a book that was meant for you called Olivia. We were surprised at how into unwrapping presents you were you liked sucking on the paper but with a bit of help you pulled on some of the presents to reveal what was inside. Your Great Grandad popped in and you unwrapped some cute togs and hooded towel to carry on with all your swimming as well as a gorgeous little dress, this is your first dress. But all that present opening and you were ready for a little nap before opening the rest. After lunch you had a swing in your brand new toy and then came inside to open more presents a stack of books from us and a kiwi toy from Simon and Shannon who house sat while we were down South. From Santa you got a backpack for daycare, a shade tent for the summer, a cute summery onesie and a couple of toys a shape ball and a leaning tower stack. Just before bedtime we had  a visit from Great Aunty Totty and Uncle Geoff with some pretty bunting and The Very Hungry Caterpillar for you to open. After a busy day with lots of cuddles, giggles and presents, one spoilt girl was ready for bed and your first Christmas drew to an end with everyone looking forward to the next one.