Days out

We've taken advantage of the freakishly warm spring this year by getting out and about. Also small babies are supposed to like looking at dappled light coming through trees, so we get to feel virtuous about finding new and exciting branches for her to look at.

This is Scotney Castle in March.



The Man loves spending time with his daughter and zooms off with the pram while I'm faffing taking arty pictures. I'm sure there are more butch looking prams out there but this one drives very well!

An arty picture...

And another - some sort of magnolia with a bee on it.

Mum and I recently popped into Sissinghurst Castle Gardens to see the Spring Walk and whatever else was sprouting (of which there was a lot).

This was Veratrum Nigrum. Or at least that's what the label next to it said, it could have been for a plant that's still growing in that spot, for all I know. Cool leaves though, no?

Chloe learning about daffodils.

We're in a lovely period with Chloe at the moment, in that she's really getting interactive and she can amuse herself for short periods so you can get on with other things, but she's not started teething quite yet. It's going to start any day now though, she's gnawing on anything she can get her hands on and drooling all over her rosy cheeks. Trouble is we've got used to her being so good, sleeping 11 hours at night and so on, that it's going to be a shock when she's cranky and restless when the teeth start coming through. Poor little cherub.

Growing up fast... and happy Leap Year

Blogging has stalled. There’s no big reason for that, apart from I think looking after the baby has turned my brain to custard and I can’t put a cohesive post together. Do you really want a daily nappy update? No, didn’t think so! I can’t settle down to cooking or knitting and definitely not sewing because as soon as I start, Chloe wakes up. All the knitting I’ve done since she’s been born has been two baby hats. Sigh. Been spending lots of time on Facebook though…

Speaking of which, I’ve spotted something interesting, and that’s a glint in an eye. I noticed it a while back, the different look that my friends sometimes get once they become mothers, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Sort of a softening, as mothers are traditionally supposed to be, but stronger at the same time. I see it in myself now too when I look in the mirror. It’s a fierce joy, a huge happiness and love towards your own child, but at the same time a sense of protectiveness towards that child that’s so strong that if anyone tries to mess with the baby, I will hurt them, badly.

Chloe was such a good girl on Monday. We had a middling crisis – the hot water pump in the upstairs airing cupboard exploded and no matter how many valves I closed and whatever we tried, there was a constant water trickle coming out from somewhere. I went through nearly every towel in the house (and I went through a towel buying phase so we have quite a few) was used up soaking up all I could, but still, it was dripping through the ceiling below and when the plumber finally got here and made an on-purpose hole to let it drain out, there was a good bucketful that came out. It wouldn’t have been long before the whole lot would have come down. I’m not averse to sorting out problems in the house as long as I know what to do, but when it comes to plumbing, I have no clue, and it’s scary being clueless! Anyway, Chloe unusually had several daytime naps to let me get on with mopping and fretting, and when she was awake was in a smiley mood to try to cheer me up. Sweetie.

Some friends from work came to visit yesterday and Chloe has started practising having pub lunches already. Check it out!

Out and about

We've been out and about with Chloe. She's really too little to take the blindest bit of notice but at least the fresh air makes her sleep.

Bedgebury Pinetum was a bit sleepy in the winter sun.

We found these super-big pinecones. Turned out the stuff that looks like frost on the ends wasn't.

It was very sticky resin!

The Man appreciated the new hat.

Some interesting and funky fungus.

Another day out in Dunorlan Park in T Wells. The lake was frozen so the birds stood on it.

The Man with the Pram. Looking cold. Brrr.

Naughty park squirrels, digging for nuts.

And hiding in trees.

Chloe says hi.

FO*: Chloe

Born Wednesday 14 December, our beautiful baby girl.

This was the first look she gave me two minutes after being born. Poor child, nothing escapes with iphones around, but I'm so pleased to have saved this. She's gorgeous.

* Finished Object

Owlet

Latest baby knit: Kate Davies' Owlet jumper, adapted to be a cardigan. Rav notes here.

Knit in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino. Love this yarn! Lucky baby. If she'd only come out.... going in to be induced tomorrow. Advice on how to bring on labour: curry, pineapple, sex, castor oil, hippie homeopathic pills, driving in a Land Rover across a ploughed field... None of these things work! I bet she takes about three days to be induced too. The Man has had many stern words with the bump but to no avail, she's very happy in there Thank You Very Much. Clearly inherited her parents' stubborn streaks...

Hope your festive planning is coming on well. All my wrapping is done so I don't have to worry about it later. I feel rather superior. No doubt some faux pas will arise at a later date to bite me on the bum, having wrapped something wrong under the influence of baby brain. Let's hope the results are hilarious rather than mortally offensive!

Hopefully next time I'll have a new small person to show you. Fingers crossed.

Requirements:

1. Fume Cupboard.

Seriously, I knew lavender could get strong, but not that strong!

Lavender bags for xmas with lavender from the garden. It was almost strong enough to clear the sinuses.

Making Monday

Pattern here (free). Made from an unwanted linen coat and some stashed Liberty lawn cotton fabric. Self-covered buttons on the front of the last issue of Molly Makes, poppers underneath from stash. Total cost: about 4 hours of my time. Result!