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 :)