Our little meat eater
While out for a meal last night, Paul gave Isla his rib once he had eaten the meat off it. As you can see she was fairly keen on it! ( I was less keen about the grease she managed to get all down her arms, over her bib, and all over her face.
Here is a good photo showing Isla’s resemblance to Paul!!
Back home in Alaska
Jeannie and I were very happy to make it to Alaska with Isla without too many problems. She was a very good girl on the flights and slept most of the way, with only small periods of crying.
She seemed delighted to see her Dad again and he had her giggling within about an hour. She also seemed relieved to get back into her own little bed and has been sleeping much better since we have been home.
Jeannie, Isla and I went for a nice walk on Tuesday. Isla had a little paddle in the lake.
Family in Christchurch
Here is the whole family (minus Paul) in Christchurch. It was great fun to have us all together in the same place. The last time was at Stewart and Kathy’s wedding, over a year and a half ago.
My siblings, Stewart, Me, Angus, Jeannie and Emily
Mum with her two little grandchildren, Isla and Isabel
Isla in a few new outfits!
Here is Isla in one of her Aunty Emily’s old dresses. This dress was knitted for Emily by our Great Aunty Mavis. It is a beautiful knitted pinafore and jersey, luckily a little big still so hopefully it will still be fitting her when it is winter here.
Jeannie is starting Isla’s ballet career early by making her this very cute little tutu.
Riverton
We had a very nice weekend in Riverton the other weekend. Isla got to meet many of my friends from High School, several of them who have small children too. We were lucky enough to have Leigh, James and their two girls Emily and Sophie came down from Wellington and Cindy came down from Christchurch.
Here are Isla (nearly 7 months) and Sophie (nearly 10 months).
We managed to line up the five little girls for a photo, getting them all to stay still in one place was a bit of a challenge, getting them all to look in the same direction at once- impossible!
Here we are out for a walk, with every possible mode of baby conveyance. Isla slept throughout our walk to the beach and so we may need to wait till next time before we introduce her to the surf and sand of Riverton!
There here!
The girls have arrived and are well. Our little baby is in good health but is very spoiled. She woke four times last night and demands a constant audience for her cuteness. Both of which we’ll give her three days to get over. Paul
Ready for a welcome
Now that April, Gennie and Isla are probably in the air I can let you guys in on the joke. There is no pile of laundry. I got to laudry basket zero a few days ago. The house is clean and ready for their arrival. It’s man clean anyway; all the dishes washed, vacuumed and the trash taken out. I didn’t bother with the whole woman clean thing; cleaning things that have no business being cleaned and such. It will be great to have them home. Paul
Where are my pictures?!
April has promised that she would keep up with pictures of the trip, so I could see what our baby girl is up to. And nothing for days. Well, I promised to have the mountain of laundry done when she gets back. Two can play. I want photos of baby and April!
Solo trip to Fox Island
Hello guys. I took off after work in our little boat, the Oh Snap, and spent the night out at the island. It’s a good thing too as the stove was missing a part and the bbq had toppled off the deck in the winter and will never work again. I was able to get a small cooking fire going in the rain and fried a great steak on cast iron, with salad! When April, Isla and Jeannie are back we’ll have all the pieces together to cook and be comfortable. Have a great weekend everyone. Paul
Meeting More Family and the Long Awaited Roll!
We have had a busy few days, Isla especially, who has been passed around many of her New Zealand family. On Saturday and Sunday we had the Macdonald and Dykes relations around for lunches. Since there were 17 the first day and 27 the second it was a lot of cuddles for Isla! Here are just a selection of photos of Isla with various relations.
With Uncle Stewart
With Uncle Angus
With Rosie, one of her younger relations
‘Playing’ with cousin Isabel, although Isabel appears to have fallen asleep! Isla is having a great time anyway!
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The first day we arrived into New Zealand Isla rolled from her front to her back and finally on Sunday she rolled over from her back to her front. Stewart and Kathy were luckily there to witness this milestone- I unfortunately didn’t since I had popped out of the room for just a moment and missed it! She hasn’t done either roll since despite much enticement, but I’m sure she will try it again sometime soon- hopefully!