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Home Front in Macclesfield
Posted by Webby at October 31, 2004 10:00 PM | Comments (2)
In an attempt to give Kev a bit of a hand installing the kitchen in their new extension, the Gingatopian Expeditionary Force set sail for Macclesfield this weekend. Of course, we weren't only due to help Kev, but also visit Debbie 'the (increasingly less) Merciless' who has been in hospital since the beginning of the week, but is due out again tomorrow! Debbie seemed quite well when we visited her [three times] over the weekend, and we left strict instructions that she was to run Kevin ragged when she got home.
Kev seemed quite happy with the amount and quality of work put in by the Gingatopian Crew, and rewarded us richly with a wonderous bounty of special kebab and chips [oh yes!], followed - later in the weekend - with pie and chips. If only I could get similar perks written into the T&Cs at work! Clearly, Kev missed his real vocation in life...instead of becoming a Chief Biomedical Scientist, Jilly and I discovered that he should have become a builder tee hee!
Daddy/Daughter Day I
Posted by Webby at October 28, 2004 09:26 PM | Comments (0)Today has been a very special [if potentially stressful] day, here in Gingatopia. Being the school half-term holidays this week, Jilly's work have asked if it would be possible for her to go in for the day [as an extra shift] to help out. As I am on leave from work today, Jilly agreed to go in to the hospital, leaving Evelyn in my care. This, then, was our first Daddy/Daughter Day, to be referred to, in future, as DDD#1...or...D3#1.
Evelyn was a little treasure all day, eating all that was put in front of her, and doing little or no whinging. When she wasn't sleeping, we played on the living room floor, or Evie sat in her Bumbo as I cleaned the kitchen and prepared food, or we went for a walk to the local supermarket [during which time she slept]. Roger and Laura [who are also on half-term jollies!] paid us a mid-morning visit just after I'd put Evie in her cot for the first time. And, I even managed to prepare dinner [peel some spuds...ahem!].
Evie clearly missed Jilly as she went to work - straining to look over my shoulder as Jilly left the house - and was extremely 'grinny' when Jilly returned home...beautiful!
Celebratory Swim
Posted by Webby at October 26, 2004 10:32 PM | Comments (0)
As today was the first time Evelyn has worn this beautiful cardigan, now seems like an excellent opportunity to say another big THANK YOU! to Ed, Jan, Nicky and Kate for the present of the cardy when Evelyn was born. Clearly, there's still plenty of room for Evie's little arms to grow into it yet, so Evie should get wear out of it throughout the coming winter!
This afternoon; Jilly, Kieran, Evelyn and I celebrated our all being off work/school together by wrapping up warm (again) and heading off into town (and, more specifically, the Sports Centre) to keep up with Evelyn's weekly swimming sessions. Jilly has been taking Evelyn to the Swimbabes sessions - as I have been at work - so this was only the second time I've been 'swimming' with Evelyn. In the pool, Evelyn treated us to an exhibition of underwater swimming, which was especially great, as Kieran had remembered to bring a pair of goggles with him. During her Swimbabes classes, Evie usually does a maximum of three underwater swims, so we each took it in turn to wear Kieran's goggs and 'receive' Evie as she swam up through the water. She is such a clever liddle beaudee; Evie was clearly very relaxed about the whole thing, every time she was submerged...FANTASTIC!
Latest Baby Clinic visit
Posted by Webby at October 20, 2004 09:37 PM | Comments (0)Jilly took Evelyn to the GP's baby clinic today to have her weighed and measured. Evelyn is now 68cm tall [in the 91st percentile of 24-week-old baby girls], and weighs 7.08kg or 15lb 8½oz [putting her in the 50th percentile]. So, anyone in possession of these facts can see, quite clearly, that Evelyn is already taking after her dad in the height-to-weight ratio stakes [much taller than average, but of almost perfectly [median] average weight...ahem!]
Incidental Hero...
Posted by Webby at October 19, 2004 09:36 PM | Comments (0)
At exactly 24-weeks-old to the day, Evelyn has had her very first very minor accident today. As Evelyn was propped up against some cushions at the very back of one of the sofas, Jilly could never have imagined what could happen. Sat at Evie's side, Jilly could see that she was paying particular attention to the TV remote control [something she has a un-natural interest in drooling all over at every conceivable opportunity...er...Evie that is, not Jilly!]. Before Jilly knew what was happening, Evie - with the ease and grace of an Olympic gymnast - had propelled herself towards the remote control, rolling off the sofa, towards the floor. Jilly's reactions were, unfortunately, not quick enough! Jilly had time to emit a helpless squeal and hopelessly grab for Evelyn as she plummeted towards the floor!
Who should come to the rescue...SUUUPERRRR BWRADBWURYWABBIT, that's who! Faster than a speeding bullet, Bwradbwurywabbit remained entirely motionless, prone on the floor, selflessly cushioning Evelyn's fall to the ground...HUZZAH! For he's a jolly good wabbit!
Many thanks the Justine, Andrew and Eloise, without whom we would not have Bwradbwurywabbit!
...AND SWIMBABES CERTIFICATION
Another significant occasion, today, was that Jilly and Evelyn completed Evelyn's Swimbabes course [even after Evelyn's terrifying sofa plummet]. Evelyn completed her first [nearly] solo underwater swim - Jilly just held her with one hand to prevent her from turning in the water - as she swam forward and to the surface on her own; she's just brilliant, our liddle girl!
Jilly as already signed up for the next course, when I hope to get a few underwater shots of Evelyn in action.
Gingatopian Land Army - Autumn Manoeuvres
Posted by Webby at October 17, 2004 05:23 PM | Comments (3)
Another Sunday in Gingatopia and, in Kieran's absence, Jilly, Evelyn and I went to B&Q for a few gardening goodies. Having wrapped Evelyn up against the bitter cold [slight exaggeration!] in this lovely hooded top from The House of Imogen [thanks to James, Jenna and Imogen], we all fired off to B&Q to buy plants for Farmer Jilly to plant in the garden.
Typically, we came back with a load of pansies, or sweet-peas, or some such girly flowers; nothing cool like carrots or potatoes! In Jilly's defence, she did spend over an hour in back-breaking physical labour removing old and/or unwanted foliage from the garden to make space for her new plants, while I kept her supplied with tea. All that's missing now is the lawn that we plan to replace the pebble-beach with - nearer summer, next year - and we'll have a garden suitable for Evelyn and Kieran to throw themselves around in...and I might even be talked into a bit of a wrestle...if anyone's up for it (ahem!).
The more observant amongst you may have noticed that Jilly is wearing a very fetching gardener's smock combined with a pair of elegant green wellies...hoo-argh! Deb and Kev presented this extremely utilitarian garment to Jilly for her 36th birthday...and she loves it! I'm currently searching E-bay for a straw hat and pitch-folk for Jilly's Christmas pressie.
Liddle Princess Mermaid
Posted by Webby at October 16, 2004 07:48 PM | Comments (0)
New first #1 - Amongst other new 'firsts' this week [while Dad's been out slaving his Ginga-ass off on LATE shifts, if you don't mind!], is that Evelyn has been taking baths on her own! As Kieran didn't want to get in the bath with Evelyn while Jilly bathed her [I'm sure Jilly would have bathed Prince Binky as well, if he'd asked...ha ha ha!], Jilly was forced to put Evelyn in the bath on her own...and she loved it!
These photos - obviously - were taken when I was at home to help with bathing, drying and dressing Evelyn. Evelyn clearly loves being in the water and bathing alone but, admittedly, she doesn't like it nearly as much as she likes going to the baby pool at the Sports Centre with her Mum, Helen and Dominic.
New first #2 - Every bath time, Jilly [and I] will play with Evelyn's sponge [...pronounced SPONG!], letting water run from the saturated sponge in front of Evelyn, trying to elicit a response. Until today, Evelyn has essentially ignored the running water. Now, though, she's started reaching out of it, holding her hands under the running water, and smiling. Doesn't seem like much, now that I read this text, but it seemed significant at the time!
New first #3 is that Evelyn has, at 165-days-old, started holding her arms out when being asked if she'd like to be picked up. So far, she's only done it for me, but consistently, and on at least four occasions! She's my special liddle gal!
New first #4 - According to Jim, Dominic Harris [that boy's a dreadful influence!] has been trying to grab his dad's spectacles from his face for some time now. My delightful daughter has - somehow - picked up the same rather frustrating habit of trying to pinch my face furniture! Any guesses as to where the idea came from?
A Brace of Beaudeeful Waterbabies
Posted by Webby at October 13, 2004 09:14 PM | Comments (0)Jilly and Helen took Evelyn and Dominic for a joint assault on the baby pool at the sports centre today...and it was a massive hit. Evie was clearly happy to see Dominic, giving him [and Helen] a huge toothless smile on her arrival - DON'T GET ANY IDEAS BOY!!! - and even more happy to be in the pool. There was plenty of excitement, for Evie and Dom, in the pool - as it was much busier than their usual swimbabes sessions - and Evelyn managed three...that's THREE...underwater swims before it was time to leave.
Jilly, Helen, Evie and Dom called in to see Justine and Eloise on the way home, and Jilly says that Evie was clearly very happy to see them too, gently stroking Ellie's face when they were sat together. It's lovely to see that Evelyn is beginning to exhibit her recognition of people...particularly her beaudeeful liddle buddies!
And...Evelyn slept through until 07:30 this morning...HUZZAH!
And...the liddle faddee ate four, that's FOUR, 'solid' meals today, instead of the usual three, as well as her six milk feeds. Dat's ma gal!
Easy Morning II
Posted by Webby at October 12, 2004 10:24 AM | Comments (0)
Unfortunately [particularly for Jilly], 04:30 this morning saw the fourth morning in a row that Evie has woken up - far too early - for a feed. What's all that about then, eh? Well, let me tell you, I've talked to Evelyn about her recent change in attitude towards sleeping though, but she is - shall we say - 'less than communicative' about it!
As I'm going in for a 'Late' shift again today, I couldn't resist taking another photo of my beaudeeful liddle Evie after I dressed her this morning. I think you'll agree, she is - most definitely - a liddle cutie.
Easy Morning
Posted by Webby at October 11, 2004 10:13 AM | Comments (0)
As I'm starting work comparatively late again today, I've been able to spend some more time with Jilly and Evie...HUZZAH! Like most mornings, Jilly dressed Evelyn today but I was surprised when Evelyn appeared in some Christmas dungerees! "It's only OCTOBER!", I screamed!
Jilly explained that this outfit had been given to us from The House of Eloise - Humphrey and Rudolf Collection [many thanks to Justine, Andrew and, particularly, Ellie!], but that it probably won't fit Evie by Christmas, so she's wearing it today! And, how cute does she look?
Birthday fun in 'The Sun'...geddit?
Posted by Webby at October 4, 2004 04:12 PM | Comments (5)
This weekend saw the entire population of Gingatopia de-camped to sunny Filey. In celebration, and anticipation, of Jilly's 37th ...er... 36th [doh!] birthday on the 3rd, we booked The Sun (newspaper) £9.50 holiday - wha-whoo! - at the beginning of the summer.
Evelyn seemed to settle into the caravan very nicely, sleeping through almost as normal. The nights were a little cold, but her Gingatopian blood seems to have made her resilient enough...she's a liddle toughy!
Over the weekend, we spent an evening at Jesters Fun Pub - the camp 'nightscene' - (you can only imagine Kieran's excitement...ahem!), a day in Filey (on the beach, and looking around the many - wonderfully exciting - tourist attractions in the town centre...ahem!), and Jilly's birthday in Whitby. It's peculiar that, every time I write the name of 'Whitby', I wonder what on Earth we find to do there...but we always have an excellent time. Bizarre, or what?
