Lunch time!

Meal times continues to provide some fantastic photo opportunities. Jess still isn't eating much but is certainly enjoying being around food. Some times she'll eat off a spoon, but mostly she prefers to feed herself. Favourite foods include cheese, zucchini, pear, pasta, broccoli, red meat and porridge but she'll try everything that is put in front of her.

 

 

This and That

It's been a while since the last post and plenty has been happening since then. Jess is still growing like a mushroom and is now over 8kg. We've had some lovely times with grandparents, cousins, and Mum and Dad. Playing, or at least observing, big kids seems to be her most favourite thing in the whole world right now. We've been to a playgroup which was undoubtedly the most exciting hour of her life!

Playing with Dad at Nanny and Poppy's

Too cute!

Having some lovely time with Poppy

Cousin Thomas reading Jess a story

Ready to go to church

We're at Canton City - the Chinese restaurant. Why wouldn't you be smiling!

We started  on solid food about a month ago. It's been an interesting journey so far. After a couple of weeks of tears and refusals, I gave mush the flick and have stuck to finger foods since. She'll eat pretty much anything as long as she can pick it up herself. Pear and broccoli (not together!) seem to be her favourites so far.

why eat mush when you can eat the bowl?!

Just a cute little picture, sucking her favourite toy, Dad's teething ring.

In the mornings the house can be a bit chilly. So while the central heating does it's job, I rug Jess up while I prepare breakfast. This is a particularly cute combination!

Reading the paper with Dad on Saturday morning.

Fun with Mum

Can you spot my cutest teddy?

Jess loves playing with this couch of toys!

And Cookie Monster is extra fun!

And I have no idea why saying 'WHOA!' is so hilarious but clearly it is! Her giggles are the most beautiful sound in the world!

Fun Around the House

Here are the latest happy snaps of the Happy Little Girl.

The Activity Station continues to be a favourite as Jess can sit and stand and lean forward and suck on the microphone!

It make both of us laugh!

We have Nudie Time each day to have a break from her nappies.

And of course, it's a good opportunity to catch up on her reading!

During the cold snap a couple of weeks ago we were brave enough to leave the house after three days inside. It was still freezing cold, but the rain had stopped. I rugged Jess up very well!

This is the new mat for Jess to play on on the deck. She seems to like it already.

 

we also have a smaller mat for inside which I think will get good use.

Birthdays Galore

May is always a big month for birthdays in the Pike household, but this year saw a couple of major milestones: Mum's 60th and Lisa's 30th. We had a lovely night at Eynesbury for Mum's party. Jess enjoyed playing with Nanny and Poppy and her big cousins. Abi and Emily were very good at keeping a smile on Jess' face, as the puppets below show.

Abi is behind me here working the puppets for Jess.

Jess thought they were great (and so did Nanny!)

Nappy and Poppy before the party

 The second gathering for Lisa was dinner in the City. It was another lovely night with the family.

Dad's present - a guide book for New Zealand

And of course, the girls

A Deck!

 Another piece to the garden puzzle was added last week. We had a deck and pergola built! It looks fantastic and will be a wonderful asset to the house come Summer. I have already bought a soft mat that Jess can play on outside! We'll grow a grape vine over the pergola to shade the Northern window during the Summer and allow the sun in during the Winter. We're very excited about the having it finished and look forward to having a lot of great times out there.

Before

After

Works begin

the finished product

All done!

 Each evening, we'd take a little stroll around the works with Jess to have a look at how things were progressing.

 

Such a Cutie!

 Here are some more very cute pictures of the lovely Jessica!

we made the most of the sunshine on Thursday and wore a cute little dress and cardigan. I think that will be the last summer dress for the season!

Adoring Dad!

 I set up Jess' activity station last weekend. It says 'from 4 months' and I figure she's a pretty big girl, so we'll give it a whirl! She loves sitting up in it and although there are lots of things to see, touch and listen to, she is just happy being upright and looking around. She's getting stronger every time I put her in it but is a long way off using the activities.

Happy little bub!

All dressed up, waiting to go to church.