It's a girl!

We are so excited to share that we will be having a little sister for Niamh in early May 2012. Let the name choosing begin!

Not long now...

I'm so excited! In 2 days time we get to find out whether Niamh will be getting a little brother or sister in May next year. Just hope baby number 2 is obliging!!

20 months!

Look at me!

Where have the months gone? Our girl is 20 months old on Saturday and growing up fast! It's been a while since I have updated this blog...have had a LOT going on and been kept pretty busy with part time work, swimming, music, playdates and general running around with Niamh.... not to mention putting our house on the market and selling in 3 weeks!

Niamh picked up every bug, I think, from daycare at the end of winter and it all knocked her a bit plus with the BIG molars cutting through, she had a bit to deal with. Thankfully, she's been much healthier lately and coping pretty well with the last molar to cut. No sign of the eye teeth yet! Niamh is picking up new words all the time. The cutest one is 'Oh dear' complete with the hand over the mouth and grin. She's a bit too cute!!

Our latest news is our plan to build another house. It's hard to believe we have been in our house for 5 years already and felt like it was time to move on and get a little bit bigger place. So in the middle of October we put our house on the market and got an offer after 5 days! Fast forward a few weeks and we have officially sold. The perfect thing is that we won't be moving- as the new buyers approached us to rent our own place while we build!! Now we are in the process of organising a Geotech for our potential land and have our lawyer going over the fine print of the building contract. Our aim is to get it signed and all to council before Christmas. Fingers crossed!

I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year, especially as Niamh will be a bit more aware. The Playhouse daycare is putting on a Christmas concert/party that all children are involved with. It will be so cute to see her being part of that.

Bike Fun

Look at me

Oh- just saw myself in the window reflection!

I love my bike- thanks Oli and Ella :)

Update...

Niamh is motoring around loving her new independence. She can say a few words now (dadda, mum, ta, boo, that (as in what is that), puss (cat), tickle, shoes, bye-bye, car) and is quite expressive with her 'talking' using hand gestures frequently. She loves giving high 5's. Niamh is becoming quite a character hiding behind the curtain then popping out saying boo, and doing a 'sky-diver' pose on the floor on her tummy with arms and legs up...cute! She is getting good at pointing to nose, eyes and ears when asked.

Niamh has 7 teeth so far. She is doing well at daycare and her teachers comment on her love of reading books, dancing to music and enjoyment of being outside exploring. Another term of swimming is nearly up and Niamh has really grown in confidence with being in the water.

It's been a bit of a wet winter so far but we have tried to get out and about. For Queens birthday we went down to Stratford for the weekend. It was a bit of a loooooooong way with a toddler but we did manage it. Lately we have been to Grandad's birthday and Ella's 3rd birthday party and have been on the Glenbrook stream train to Waiuku. Last Sunday we went to Butterfly creek and Niamh just LOVED the animals there.

15 months!

15 months already and with it comes Plunket visits and the jabs! Niamh is now 9.5 kg and 72.5cm tall. Just a petite thing :). The jabs went really well considering it was 3 injections this time. The nurses do them all at once which is a lot but quite a good way to get them all done and dusted. Niamh coped sooooo well. She did scream when they went in but a few distractions later and she was all good. So brave!

What a difference a month makes!

Niamh is now walking as of yesterday afternoon- at 13 and a half months. I'm so happy for her! She has done a couple of wobbly 'don't realise what I'm doing' steps on the 1 May, but it's all clicking into place now and she's off :) She's been a competent crawler- to sitter- to pull up- to sit again- up- down- up- down mover for a few weeks now and has been doing a bit of balancing on her own....so I knew it wouldn't be long. We were all ready for her by gating the place and putting kiddy locks on everything! It's so baby proof we are singing the Get Smart anthem just to get through the house ourselves!

Niamh is doing really well at daycare. She has lots of 'friends' who come up and see her when she arrives- so cute! She just loves playing with the musical instruments and loves dancing to music. She is such an explorer when she plays- giving things a try together to see how they might work.

I have started at Harrisville Primary at the start of this term working 2 days per week. It's going really well and am in the new entrance class on Wednesday with 7 children, and the year 1 class on Thursday with 13 children. Those class sizes I can't quite believe! It's working perfectly with daycare though so I can't ask for better than that.

We have been busy lately with Easter get togethers, the V8's in Hamilton, Poppa's 60th, Mothers Day and Anthony's moonride weekend in Rotorua. Next month we are off for our biggest rode trip with Niamh...down to Stratford for Queen's birthday long weekend. Should be fun :) Watch out Denise!!

Photos

Bathtime fun

Gated Community

Reflection

At the beach- Devonport, NZ

Niamh's Birthday Name Puzzle

Niamh is 1 year old!

It's been a busy week, Niamh turned one, is on the move, and I have been offered a job.

Niamh had a great birthday party on Saturday. She lasted so well with lots of family members and cousins some of whom she hasn't seen in a while. She was thoroughly spoilt with books, clothes, a swimming concession card, buzzy bee toys, balls and much more. Niamh is one lucky girl! It was just a bit of a shame about the weather but it was cosy with everyone inside :) Thanks to everyone who came- you made it a special day for Niamh.

Niamh has decided she can crawl now and gets around the house no problem. She's also good at finding something ..or someone, to pull herself up to standing, then "walks" around the furniture. She's a little mover now.

Niamh has begun to settle in at daycare now. She still cries when I leave but apparently settles quite quickly. She has had some fun in the shredded paper, with the musical instruments and loves playing outside. She's not crying when I come and pick her up now instead giving me big smiles. Once in the car she is sooo 'talkative' telling me all about her day.

I have just been offered, and accepted a 0.4 position at Harrisville Primary- 10mins from home- starting term 2. I'm really excited by this offer as it's exactly what I am after. It's 2 days in 2 different junior rooms until the end of this year and the school is an easy drive with Niamh's daycare on the way. I have been having some real success with relieving though too. Have been to 4 different local schools so far which has been a great experience to see what the school's are like first hand.

We stayed in Devonport recently for the weekend. Here are some photos:

First Birthday

Happy 1st birthday Niamh!! Lots of love from mummy and daddy xxxxxxxxx

Niamh the Artist

11 months...and counting

Niamh updates:

Niamh has, at last count, four teeth! The top two have cut through and even though only small at this stage, are fully on their way. We have had a few wake ups in the night for cuddles- it must be painful having teeth-e-pegs pushing their way through.

Swimming has re started, but because Saturday morning at 10am was clashing with Niamh's morning sleep time, I have swapped it to Friday mornings at 9am. Have to say it frees up our weekends more which is good. Her instructor is Daniel and there are about 7 others babies. Niamh isn't the fondest of the noodles, especially floating inside one that has been twisted into a knot, but with lots of enthusiasm from mum, she is getting there! Otherwise she's doing really well, especially when going underwater.

Crawling....is proving a mission. Niamh can get her legs up and move one, then the other, then usually flops down and drags or shuffles round in a circle. Her preferred mode of movement is still standing while holding onto something. She can happily move along holding onto the couch for support.

We started daycare last week. Niamh is going just two days, on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Poor wee thing, it was a bit overwhelming for Niamh (and mum) on Wednesday her first day. I found it really hard to not get all teary and basically had to leave in such a hurry before I really lost it. She apparently was quite upset all day and hardly ate, probably picking up on my vibes :S. It didn't help that it was a wet day and ALL the children were inside all day making the noise levels go up- again- something Niamh isn't use to at all. She did have a couple of sleeps therebthough- phew. When I picked her up she wouldn't let go of me and hung on for dear life! I'm happy to say Thursday was much better. She was still a bit upset but nothing like Wednesday. I'm really happy the daycare staff are honest with me and tell me what goes on (good and bad). Niamh got to play in the flour, spent time in the hammock and exersaurcer. They document everything in a little book that parents take home every night. I know it's just an adjustment thing for her (and me) and it can only get better...that's what people tell me....

We have been up to a few things lately including picnicing at the Botanic gardens while listening to the jazz music, getting together with the family for Nan's birthday, going to a local 'free music in the park' concert at the duck pond down the road, invites to other coffee group babies 1st birthday parties and getting Niamh checked out at the doctors for slipping out of the highchair (!). NB She is fine :-)

Parent updates:

I got a chance to pop round local schools last week and dropped my 2 page CV off and asked to be put onto their reliever lists.....and already have a day booked for Thursday this week! Am really happy with that as I am unknown to local schools here and have no contacts...just charm :-) Two weeks ago I applied for a 0.5 teaching position at a local school, got short listed, an interview and just lost out cause I can only offer the school 0.4 (2 days) not the 2 and a half days they wanted. I'm not too worried, it just wasn't meant to be. I'm just trying to stick to my guns of having Niamh in day care for only 2 days.

Anthony, on the other hand, applied for a job in Hamilton, got the job, then turned them down as he got a counter offer too good to be true from his current company!
It's never boring round here!!!

Countdown is on to the big first birthday- we are calling it a celebration of Niamh's parents surviving the year! And what a year it has been :)

Growing up

Niamh is doing a few cool things now at 10.5 months. We have beginning crawling! It's a one leg, then next leg shuffle then bellyflop and then repeat..one leg, next leg, bellyflop, but the more she's doing this during the day, the better she is getting. We are using "motivation" to encourage her across the floor (cell phone/ remotes etc) and it's seems to be working.

Niamh is also getting really good at getting objects out of containers and now enjoys putting them back in. It's like self tidying really- I love it! She will sit for ages 'reading' books, especially the ones with shiny sparkly paper or flip parts. She's seems to know where the flip outs are in each book, and no matter which book either.

We have 2 teeth now, the second arriving 4 days ago. The first one is not fully up either but so far it's taken 8 weeks to get to where it is. It must have taken the sloooooooow path! Having a teething baby is proving a little tricky at night times as she takes a little bit to settle now. Thank god for Pamol :) which does seem to help.

Now that the term has started again, Niamh and I are back at music playgroup on Mondays. She just loves that. We are also going to try to get back to the pool each week as swimming 'lessons' started last Saturday. Niamh and I have been going for lots of walks lately making sure we include the duck pond in our travels. She just LOVES the ducks, getting all excited when we get there, pulls herself up in her stroller for a better look and calls out 'duck, duck'. The ducks are so friendly (and probably hungry) and circle Niamh's stroller hoping for food. Sometimes they are lucky. :)

Double Digits!

Niamh is 10 months old. She is beginning to get up on all fours now and rock back and forth. People tell me this is beginner crawling so we will wait and see. It's progress from the shuffle backwards anyway! To be honest, if Niamh had the choice, I think she would just stand up all day as she loves being up on her feet (with support). The teeth are still coming. I thought they would just pop up but the first fang has a different idea. It's half up but this has taken 3 weeks so far! Thankfully Niamh doesn't seem bothered by it and it's not really affecting her sleep at night.

Niamh is a wriggler in her cot, twisting and turning and flipping onto her tummy. Not really a problem but she hasn't worked out how to get onto her back again and get's upset being stranded high and dry. We have had a few limbs out the cot bars too, but none stuck so far. Phew!

I am looking into part time work/ relieving work as we have Niamh enrolled in daycare from the end of next month. It's been a mission getting my 9 year old CV up to scratch! (Tip: update CV every year). Fingers crossed something good comes up. Anthony is getting ready for a big interview with the LTNZ (Land Transport New Zealand) next week in Wellington. He has been studying hard.

Firsts...

Here are some highlights from the past couple of weeks. There have been lots of firsts.

First day of the New Year: Yes Anthony and I DID stay up to 12am..not sure why but I'm counting it as an achievement :)

First approach to sand: tasting, touching, seeing...

First paddle in the sea...

First solo swing...

First close encounter with ducks: Niamh gets up close and personal with some ducks. This is seconds before the duck decides Niamh's cracker looks quite nice and plucked it out of her hands.

First tooth breaking the gums...still coming..but more evidence of it there.

First words, saying mum-mum, dad-dad, bub-bub and nan-nan. Not sure if "Grandad" and "Pops" will be next....

Soon it will be first into double digits as Niamh turns 10months soon. Amazing!