51 Weeks

Well, this week-end Carmen spent her last week-end with her grand parents Nema and Nepa before they headed back to the States.  They were here for six weeks, then travelled for 2.5 weeks, and then back for this past week-end, and now off home again.  They went to Tasmania and Kangaroo Island.  And hit a kangaroo.  In our car.  The poor things!  Our poor car!

Carmen is having so much fun practising her walking, it is hard to get her to do anything else.  She cannot stand up on her own without pulling up on something, so when she falls down she has to crawl over to a piece of furniture to get up again.  She also said her first word.  She has been saying mama, dada, nana, gaga, etc for ages, but with no associations, but she now points to Jeffrey and says dada.  So, I think that counts as a first word.  And just today she has started mooing when I ask her what a cow says, but her version of a moo is rather different from my own.  We didn't take such great photos this week - the only photo session I did with her, I could barely get monkey away from her for a second.  But he is her beloved lovey, and beats out both Jeffrey and I for her affection.

50 Weeks & Walking!

So, the big news this week is that Carmen has started walking.  Yay!!  She is rather tottery, but loves to walk back and forth between us, and has started pulling up on furniture and then walking away to wherever she wants to go.  It's usually not far, and sometimes ends in a bump and a bruise, but I expect she will master this walking business very quickly.  It is very cute to watch her, but also sad because she is not a little baby any more.  She is also getting both front teeth in now, which is probably why she was rather grouchy this evening.  Now that it is winter, the weather is turning quite cold and windy, so we only take short outings at the moment.  I take her for a walk in the sling every morning that we have sunshine, as she likes to touch all of the plants, leaves, flowers and tree trunks.  This makes our little walk around the block take a very long time!  Carmen also spends much of her day making me (and anyone else she can) read her books.  Sometimes I have to read the same book 7 times in a row.  But my boredom with her books is outweighed by her love of them, so I will continue.  She is almost a year old now, so if anyone out there is looking to get her any gifts, new books would be great :)

Here is a video of Carmie walking for anyone who didn't see it on Facebook:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJZ14W3yYmU&list=UU21-zydO1IYNApoXHx_P8LQ&index=1&feature=plcp

49 Weeks

Well, it was a big week for me, with the launch of my exhibition Aves et Pisces.  Carmen even came to offer support!  I sold four pieces, and will hopefully sell a lot more over the next few months.  I am glad the stress is over and I can slow down my pace a bit!

Carmen has had a quiet week.  Her balance is getting very good, and she even took two steps between the sofas.  Apparently she took four steps between her grandparents, but I say it didn't happen if I didn't see it!  A new tooth is also poking through - her top front right tooth.  I am looking forward to her top teeth coming through, so that I can stop cutting her sandwich up into itty bitty little bites.  She is still going to swimming lessons, and loving them, but I think we might stop for next term, as it is getting rather cold.  Bah to winter!  We are still hitting the beach though, the last two days have been lovely :)

And a video for 11 months!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTc8bvr0D9Y&list=UU21-zydO1IYNApoXHx_P8LQ&index=1&feature=plcp

11 Months & 48 Weeks!

So this past Saturday little Carmen turned 11 months old.  I can't believe she is almost one!  She is starting to understand a lot of words.  She can also follow simple instructions.  Her grandaddy taught her to turn the lights on and off, and so now I can't walk past a light switch without her stopping me by pointing and wiggling her little pointer finger. She also has started taking 'big girl' baths without her bath chair.  She loves the freedom to move around the tub, and I don't know why I didn't do it sooner!  She just seems to be getting sweeter and sweeter.  This past week-end was her last week-end with her Nema and Nepa before they go travelling around for a couple of weeks, and then they are back to the States.  She will miss their babysitting!

With Nema and Nepa

Nema reading one of Carmie's current favourite books

With Grandaddy